Effects of N,P and K Fertilizers on Growth of Clover Nitrogen-fixing Rhizobia and Soil Fertility after Plantation

In order to develop organic rice and increase paddy soil fertility by cloverorganic rice rotation, the effects of N, P and K fertilizers on growth of clover nitrogen-fixing rhizobia and soil fertility after plantation were investigated, thereby providing certain reference for reasonable cultivation of clover and improvement of soil fertility. A two-year experiment was conducted from 2012 to 2013. The clover was cultivated after rice every year, and different levels of N, P and K fertilizers were applied before winter. In the treatment group, no fertilizer was applied. The effects of different fertilizers and different application amounts on clover yield, nitrogen-fixing rhizobia quantity, nitrogen-fixing rhizobia weight and soil fertility after plantation were analyzed. The results showed that the application of N, P and K fertilizers in the early stage had significantly effect on the growth of clover. When the application amount of N fertilizer was 75 kg/hm^2（N 46%）, the clover yield, nitrogen-fixing rhizobia quantity and nitrogen-fixing rhizobia weight were highest. The soil nitrogen content after plantation increased with the increase of the application amount of N fertilizer, while the P and K content decreased and then increased with the increased application amounts. Soil available P content increased with the increased application amounts of N and P fertilizers, but it did not change significantly with the increased application amount of K fertilizer. Soil available K content increased first and then decreased with the increased application amounts of N and P fertilizers.When the application amounts of N and P fertilizers were 150（N 46%） and 300（P_2O_5 12%） kg/hm^2, soil available K content reached the maximum. Soil organic matter content increased with the increased application amounts of N, P and K fertilizers. Therefore, in the cultivation of clover, appropriate application of N, P and K fertilizers in the early stage can improve clover yield and soil fertility.

Effects of Facultative Anaerobic Cellulolytic Bacteria and Nitrogen-fixing Bacteria Isolated from Cow Rumen Fluid on Rumen Fermentation and Dry Matter Degradation in Vitro

The purpose of the paper was to study the effects of cellulolytic bacteria(CB)mixed with nitrogen-fixing bacteria(NFB)on fermentation in vitro.Nine CB strains and seven NFB strains were isolated from numen fluid of three Holstein cows.Based onhigher activity of cellulose or nitrogenase,three CB types[CB-2(KT725624),CB-5(KT725623)and CB-6(KT725622)]and one NFB type[NFB-3(KT735054)]were screened out,respectively.Two parts were included in this study.The first part explored the optimal mixed ratio of CB to NFB through inoculating filter paper medium with the bacteria of 2×10^5 cfu·mL^-1.According to CMCase and FPase activities in the medium,the ratio of 4 to 1 was proven to be more effective.In the second part,rumen fermentation in vitro was conducted at 4:1 of CB to NFB,aiming at studying the effects of mixed bacteria.Six groups were classified,namely,control group(no bacteria),Group 1(CB-2+NFB-3),Group 2(CB-5+NFB-3),Group 3(CB-6+NFB-3),Group 4(NFB-3)and Group 5(CB-6).All the experimental groups had the same amount of bacteria(4×10^6 cfu·mL^-1)in the fermentation liquid.Samples were collected at 2,4,8,12 and 24 h of incubation.Compared with the groups with CB or NFB alone,gas production,dry matter degradability and bacterial protein expressions in the mixed groups increased.However,NH3-N concentration decreased and p H was stable.Meanwhile,related values among three mixed groups were significantly different;values in Group 2 were the best.

Effects of Transgenic DREB Toybean Dongnong50 on Diversity of Soil Nitrogen-fixing Bacteria

Drought is a bottleneck for worldwide soybean production which is getting more serious as the climate continues to worsen. Dehydration responsive element binding（DREB） is a kind of transcription factor that regulates the expression of stress tolerance-related genes in response to drought, high salinity and cold stress in plant. Soybean with DREB gene possesses the drought resisting capability which is helpful to increase the yield. However, the potential risk of genetically modified plants（GMPs） on soil microbial community is still in debate. In order to understand the effects of transgenic DREB soybean on the nitrogen-fixing bacteria, the diversity of nif H gene in pot experiments planted transgenic soybean and near-isogenic nontransgenic soybean under normal water condition and drought stress condition was analyzed by PCR-DGGE and sequence analysis. The results showed that transgenic soybean under normal water condition decrease the diversity of the nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the seeding stage and flowering stage, but had no notable effect in other stages. Under drought stress, transgenic soybean reduced the diversity of the nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the flowering stage, but had no notable effects on other stages. Phylogenic analysis revealed that g7, g13, g15 and g19 had a close relationship with Alphaproteobacteria, g12 had a close relationship with Azonexus, others were related to Betaproteobacteria and Burkholderia.

Effect of Monocrotophos and Quinalphos on Soil Population and Nitrogen-Fixing Activity of Azospirillum sp.

The effects of monocrotophos and quinalphos on population and nitrogen-fixing activity of Azospirillum sp.in four agricultural soils were determined in a laboratory study.Concentrations of the two insecticides up to a 5 kg ha^(-1)level were either stimulatory or innocuous to the popula- tion of Azospirillum in the soils.Four successive applications of the insecticides to soils resulted in a significant increase in the population density.Cultures of Azospirillum sp.,isolated from insecticide-treated soils,exhibited greater nitrogen-fixing activity.Three consecutive subcultur- ings of the isolates from insecticide-treated soils had no effect on their nitrogen-fixing activity.1989 Academic Press,Inc.

New Type Bio-composites Containing Nitrogenous Fertilizers of Prolonged Action and Nitrogen-Fixing Microorganisms

Technology was developed for obtaining ecologically pure composites containing nitrogenous fertilizers of prolonged action and nitrogen-fixing microorganisms in order to increase productivity of cereal crops. As a result of application of this composite nitrogenous fertilizer hectare norm decreases by 40%-55%, while productivity increases by 15%-30%, compared to those of the control.

Short-term Intensive Sustainable Restoration of Grasslands and Prairies Invaded with High Densities of Nitrogen-fixing Weeds： A Test with the Invasive Plant Lespedeza Cuneata

This study examines a management strategy for restoring grassland and prairie communities that have become degraded due to high density stands of invasive nitrogen-fixing plants. The novel management applications minimize the use of herbicides and maximize the competitive interactions of native species. The management method includes two seasons of application of organic fertilizer （4-1-4）, an initial herbicide （Pasture Gard, Dow Agro） application, and mowing, where mowing was a necessary treatment to control secondary growth in prairie habitats, to control high density patches of Lespedeza （L.） Cuneata, in a completely randomized factorial experiment. The herbicide was effective in reducing L. Cuneate stem density 0 stems/m^2 from an initial 88 stems/m^2 with cover reduced to 0% from 16%. The fertilizer only treatment reduced L. Cuneata percent cover to 6% from initial cover of 16%, but did not reduce the number of stems. The management strategy is an effective fast step in restoring a native prairie invaded by a nitrogen-fixing plant.

Application of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria in restoration of saline and alkaline soils of Songnen Plain in China

The salt-resistant nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria 888 was experimentally applied to the reclamation of saline and alkali soil in Songnen Plain in China. The pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) of different saline soils were studied and compared. Results show that different saline soils exhibit various physico-chemical properties. Saline-sodic soils in Songnen Plain are ameliorated by using nitrogen-fixing blue-green algae 888 in the experiment. It is indicated that cyanobacteria 888 can grow in saline and alkaline soils, and the conditions favorable for its growth are soil moisture of 50% and dry algae inoculation at 0.03 mg/cm2. The main actions of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria are keeping the adsorbability of rubber sheath for sodium, increasing the organic matter content of the soils and decreasing the pH and the degree of salinity in the soils. But the arid climate and soil depth are the main factors that limit the restoration of saline and alkaline soils.

Effect on electrochemical reduction of nitrogen to ammonia under ambient conditions: Challenges and opportunities for chemical fuels

The nitrogen cycle plays an important role in nature,but N-containing products cannot meet human needs.The electrochemical synthesis of ammonia under ambient conditions has attracted the interest of many researchers because it provides a clean and pollution-free synthesis method;however,it has certain difficulties,including a high activation energy,multiple electron transfer,and hydrogenation.Thermodynamic factors limit the selectivity and activity of ammonia synthesis techniques.This review summarizes progress in the electrochemical synthesis of ammonia from theory and experiment.Theoretically,the reduction of nitrogen molecules is analyzed using orbit theory and the thermodynamic reaction pathways.Experimentally,we first discuss the effect of the experimental setup on the nitrogen reduction reaction,and then the four critical of catalysts,including size,electronic,coordination,and orientation effects.These issues must be considered to produce highly-efficient catalysts for electrochemical nitrogen reduction(eNRR).This review provides an overview of the eNRR to enable future researchers to design rational catalysts.

Research status of soybean symbiosis nitrogen fixation

Soybean(Glycine max)is one of the most important economic legume crops with largest planting area,and is also an important oil crop,as well as food and feed material.Soybean-rhizobia symbiosis plays important roles in plant cultivation and fertilizer application.However,there are many problems in agricultural application of soybean symbiotic nitrogen fixation.In this review,we summarized three restriction factors(host specificity,low nitrogen fixation efficiency and abiotic stress)and discussed research progresses of these factors.Clarification of host specific mechanism will help to select and apply rhizobia inoculants.Both maintaining high nitrogenase activity and delaying nodule senescence can improve the efficiency of symbiotic nitrogen fixation.Abiotic stress-tolerant rhizobia can improve the abiotic stress tolerance of soybean.Breeding stress tolerant genotypes of soybean and rhizobia,obtaining correlated genes are the common strategies to improve soybean symbiotic nitrogen fixation under extreme conditions.Regulatory mechanisms of these restriction factors are still poorly understood and needs further clarification.

Thirteen-year growth response of ponderosa pine plantations to dominant shrubs(Arctostaphylos and Ceanothus)

Thirteen-year growth response of ponderosa pine to various manipulations of understory vegetation was studied to determine if a threshold of understory cover can be established for plantation productivity and whether nitrogen-fixing Ceanothus species benefit plantation growth compared to non N-fixing Arctostaphylos species,given their ability to improve site fertility.Results showed that completely controlling competing vegetation increased plantation growth,as was universally expected,but the effects of partial shrub control on plantation performance was inconsistent.We did not find a benefit of nitrogenfixing shrubs on tree growth,as young plantation growth was slightly better in the non N-fixing plots compared to the N-fixing plots due to differences in shrub cover.An understory cover threshold for tree growth was not observed.Due to the overriding effect of shrub competition,controlling herbaceous species had little effect on plantation growth even though it benefited tree seedling survival.A long-term value of N-fixing shrubs at these sites,if there is one,must be balanced by successful plantation establishment and rapid early growth.

Effects of interactions between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and bacteria on the growth of Lotus corniculatus L.:From the perspective of regulating rhizosphere fungal community

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi(AMF)provide essential nutrients to crops and are affected by fertilizers.Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria(PSB),nitrogen-fixing bacteria(NFB),and AMF have mutually beneficial relationships with plants,but the effects of their interactions on plant growth by regulating rhizosphere fungal community have not been sufficiently studied.In this study,a greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to investigate the interactions between AMF and bacteria(PSB and NFB)on the growth of Lotus corniculatus L.Specifically,the role of rhizosphere fungal community in the growth of Lotus corniculatus L.was explored using Illumina MiSeq high-throughput sequencing.The results showed that combined inoculation of AMF with PSB and NFB increased plant biomass,plant height,and fungal colonization rate.The richness,complexity,and stability of rhizosphere fungal community also increased after combined inoculation of AMF with PSB and/or NFB,particularly with PSB.In addition,combined inoculation of AMF with PSB and NFB enriched the abundance of beneficial microorganisms,with Chaetomium and Humicola showing the greatest alterations.The structural equation model showed that the interactions of AMF with PSB and NFB promoted plant growth by affecting fungal network structure and soil enzyme activities involved in carbon,nitrogen,and phosphorus cycling.These findings provide evidence for the effects of interactions of AMF with PSB and NFB on rhizosphere fungal community and plant growth.

Comparative phylogenomics and phylotranscriptomics provide insights into the genetic complexity of nitrogen-fixing root-nodule symbiosis

Plant root-nodule symbiosis(RNS)with mutualistic nitrogen-fixing bacteria is restricted to a single clade of angiosperms,the Nitrogen-Fixing Nodulation Clade(NFNC),and is best understood in the legume family.Nodulating species share many commonalities,explained either by divergence from a common ancestor over 100 million years ago or by convergence following independent origins over that same time period.Regardless,comparative analyses of diverse nodulation syndromes can provide insights into constraints on nodulation—what must be acquired or cannot be lost for a functional symbiosis—and the latitude for Plant Communications Genomic landscape of nodulation variation in the symbiosis.However,much remains to be learned about nodulation,especially outside of legumes.Here,we employed a large-scale phylogenomic analysis across 88 species,complemented by 151 RNA-seq libraries,to elucidate the evolution of RNS.Our phylogenomic analyses further emphasize the uniqueness of the transcription factor NIN as a master regulator of nodulation and identify key muta-tions that affect its function across the NFNC.Comparative transcriptomic assessment revealed nodule-specific upregulated genes across diverse nodulating plants,while also identifying nodule-specific and nitrogen-response genes.Approximately 70%of symbiosis-related genes are highly conserved in the four representative species,whereas defense-related and host-range restriction genes tend to be lineage specific.Our study also identified over 900000 conserved non-coding elements(CNEs),over 300000 of which are unique to sampled NFNC species.NFNC-specific CNEs are enriched with the active H3K9ac mark and are correlated with accessible chromatin regions,thus representing a pool of candidate regula-tory elements for genes involved in RNS.Collectively,our results provide novel insights into the evolution of nodulation and lay a foundation for engineering of RNS traits in agriculturally important crops.

Tuning the performance of nitrogen reduction reaction by balancing the reactivity of N_(2) and the desorption of NH_(3)

Electrochemical reduction of nitrogen to ammonia under mild conditions provides an intriguing approach for energy conversion. A grand challenge for electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is to design a superior electrocatalyst to obtain high performance including high catalytic activity and selectivity. In the NRR process, the three most important steps are nitrogen adsorption, nitrogen activation, and ammonia desorption. We take MoS_(2) as the research object and obtain catalysts with different electronic densities of states through the doping of Fe and V, respectively. Using a combination of experiments and theoretical calculations, it is demonstrated that V-doped MoS_(2) (MoS_(2)-V) shows better nitrogen adsorption and activation, while Fe-doped MoS_(2) (MoS_(2)-Fe) obtains the highest ammonia yield in experiments (20.11 µg·h^(−1)·mg^(−1)cat.) due to its easier desorption of ammonia. Therefore, an appropriate balance between nitrogen adsorption, nitrogen activation, and ammonia desorption should be achieved to obtain highly efficient NRR electrocatalysts.