Sugar Beet Rhizosphere Research Articles

Effect of Azotobacter croococcum on productive traits and microorganisms in sugar beet rhizosphere

Effect of Azotobacter croococcum on productive traits and microorganisms in sugar beet rhizosphere

Potassium uptake efficiency and dynamics in the rhizosphere of maize (Zea mays L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) evaluated with a mechanistic model

Plant species differ in nutrient uptake efficiency. With a pot experiment, we evaluated potassium (K) uptake efficiency of maize (Zea mays L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) grown on a low-K soil. Sugar beet and wheat maintained higher shoot K concentrations, indicating higher K uptake efficiency. Wheat acquired more K because of a greater root length to shoot dry weight ratio. Sugar beet accumulated more shoot K as a result of a 3- to 4-fold higher K influx as compared to wheat and maize, respectively. Nutrient uptake model NST 3.0 closely predicted K influx when 250 mg K kg−1 were added to the soil, but under-predicted K influx under low K supply. Sensitivity analysis showed that increasing soil solution K concentration (CLi) by a factor of 1.6–3.5 or buffer power (b) 10- to 50-fold resulted in 100% prediction of K influx. When both maximum influx (Imax) and b were increased by a factor of 2.5 in maize and wheat and 25 in sugar beet, the model could predict measured K influx 100%. In general, the parameter changes affected mostly calculated K influx of root hairs, demonstrating their possible important role in plant K efficiency.

Antagonistic activity of bacteria isolated from crops cultivated in a rotation system and a monoculture against Pythium debaryanum and Fusarium oxysporum

The effect of crop rotation and monocropping on the occurrence of bacteria with antagonistic activity toward Pythium debaryanum and Fusarium oxysporum was shown. Arthrobacter spp., fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. and actinomycetes were isolated from winter rape, sugar beet and winter barley rhizosphere and bulk soil from the plots of a long-term crop rotation experiment (18 years). The occurrence of mycoantagonistic isolates and their antibiosis level exhibited specificity for the site, crop and crop rotation. Mycoantagonistic activity was common among actinomycetes and fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. and less frequent among Arthrobacter spp. Antibiosis of fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. and Arthrobacter spp. was in general stronger against P. debaryanum than F. oxysporum. The highest percentage of antagonistic Pseudomonas spp. against P. debaryanum was in the plots of barley crop, while plots of winter rape showed higher frequency of antagonists against F. oxysporum. The highest antibiosis activity of Arthrobacter spp. against both pathogens occurred in isolates from barley and winter rape monoculture, and there were no F. oxysporum antagonists among these bacteria in sugar beet monoculture. Most of actinomycete isolates strongly inhibited growth of P. debaryanum and F. oxysporum. The percentage of mycoantagonistic actinomycetes and their antibiosis level were the highest in the 6-year crop rotation system.

Ecology and characterization of polyhydroxyalkanoate-producing microorganisms on and in plants

Polyhydroxyalkanoates are energy reserve polymers produced by bacteria to survive periods of starvation in natural habitats. Little is known about the ecology of polyhydroxyalkanoate-producing bacteria. To analyse the occurrence of this specific group on/in seven different plant species, a combined strategy containing culture-dependent and -independent methods was applied. Using microbial fingerprint techniques (single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis with specific primers for phaC gene encoding the key enzyme of the polyhydroxyalkanoate synthesis), a high number of bands were especially found for the rhizosphere. Furthermore, cluster analysis revealed plant species-specific communities. Isolation of bacteria, recognition of brightly refractile cytoplasmatic inclusions, lipophilic stainings and a PCR strategy targeted on the phaC gene were used as a culture-dependent strategy for the detection of polyhydroxyalkanoate-producing bacteria. Results again represent a high degree of plant specificity: the rhizosphere of sugar beet contained the highest number of positive strains. This was confirmed by quantitative PCR: the relative copy number of phaC was statistically and significantly enhanced in all rhizospheres in comparison with bulk soil. New polyhydroxyalkanoate-producing bacterial species were detected: for example, Burkholderia terricola, Lysobacter gummosus, Pseudomonas extremaustralis, Pseudomonas brassicacearum and Pseudomonas orientalis. Our results confirm the hypothesis that the rhizosphere is an interesting hidden reservoir for polyhydroxyalkanoate producers.

Influence of plant developmental stage on microbial community structure and activity in the rhizosphere of three field crops.

Seasonal shifts in rhizosphere microbial populations were investigated to follow the influence of plant developmental stage. A field study of indigenous microbial rhizosphere communities was undertaken on pea (Pisum satvium var. quincy), wheat (Triticum aestivum var. pena wawa) and sugar beet (Beta vulgaris var. amythyst). Rhizosphere community diversity and substrate utilization patterns were followed throughout a growing season, by culturing, rRNA gene density gradient gel electrophoresis and BIOLOG. Culturable bacterial and fungal rhizosphere community densities were stable in pea and wheat rhizospheres, with dynamic shifts observed in the sugar beet rhizosphere. Successional shifts in bacterial and fungal diversity as plants mature demonstrated that different plants select and define their own functional rhizosphere communities. Assessment of metabolic activity and resource utilization by bacterial community-level physiological profiling demonstrated greater similarities between different plant species rhizosphere communities at the same than at different developmental stages. Marked temporal shifts in diversity and relative activity were observed in rhizosphere bacterial communities with developmental stage for all plant species studied. Shifts in the diversity of fungal and bacterial communities were more pronounced in maturing pea and sugar beet plants. This detailed study demonstrates that plant species select for specialized microbial communities that change in response to plant growth and plant inputs.

Atmospheric CO2 enrichment induces life strategy- and species-specific responses of collembolans in the rhizosphere of sugar beet and winter wheat

We studied atmospheric CO2 enrichment effects on life form types, species composition, dominance structure and individual density of collembolans under cultivation of sugar beet and winter wheat. The study was part of a long-term CO2 enrichment field experiment (FACE: Free Air CO2 Enrichment) at the Federal Agricultural Research Centre (FAL) in Braunschweig (Germany), using isotopically labelled CO2. The stable C-isotopic signature (δ13C) of collembolan species, plant material, and soil indicated CO2 impacts on C translocation. The δ13C values of both crops significantly increased from above-ground to below-ground plant parts and significantly decreased under FACE conditions. The δ13C values of collembolan species differed significantly depending on CO2 treatment and crop and showed a distinct tendency depending on plant growth stage. The extent, to which δ13C values of collembolans decreased under FACE conditions, was species- and life strategy-dependent. The stable C-isotopic signatures of euedaphic and hemiedaphic species were similar in the control, but, depending on crop, differently affected by atmospheric CO2 enrichment. Under winter wheat cultivation, hemiedaphic species showed more negative δ13C values than euedaphic ones under FACE conditions. CO2 enrichment effects on occurrence, density and dominance distribution of the collembolan species differed strongly between crops and their developmental stages, which reveal crop-specific below-ground effects due to different food qualities in the rhizosphere. CO2 impacts were stronger under sugar beet compared to winter wheat cultivation. Independent of crop, CO2 enrichment enhanced the diversity of collembolans before harvest and increased the proportion of hemiedaphic in relation to euedaphic species in a community. Our results on collembolan communities imply CO2-induced changes in the root-derived carbon resources used by the soil food web. The present study reveals atmospheric CO2 enrichment impacts to specifically affect collembolan species according to their food preferences.

Decreased abundance and diversity of culturable Pseudomonas spp. populations with increasing copper exposure in the sugar beet rhizosphere

Recent studies have indicated that culturable bacteria constitute highly sensitive bioindicators of metal-induced stress in soil. We report the impact of different copper exposure levels characteristic of contaminated agricultural soils on culturable Pseudomonas spp. in the rhizosphere of sugar beet. We observed that the abundance of Pseudomonas spp. was much more severely affected than that of the general population of culturable heterotrophic bacteria by copper. For diversity assessment, Pseudomonas isolates were divided into operational taxonomic units based on amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis and genomic PCR fingerprinting by universally primed PCR. Copper significantly decreased the diversity of Pseudomonas spp. in the rhizosphere and significantly increased the frequency of copper-resistant isolates. Concomitant chemical and biological analysis of copper in the rhizosphere and in bulk soil extracts indicated no rhizosphere effect and a relatively low copper bioavailability in the studied soil, suggesting that the observed effects of copper may occur at lower total concentrations in other soils. We conclude that culturable Pseudomonas sensu stricto constitutes a highly sensitive and relevant bioindicator group for the impact of copper in the rhizosphere habitat, and suggest that continued application of copper to agricultural soils poses a significant risk to successful rhizosphere colonization by Pseudomonas spp.

Non-target effects of the microbial control agents Pseudomonas fluorescens DR54 and Clonostachys rosea IK726 in soils cropped with barley followed by sugar beet: a greenhouse assessment

Non-target effects of a bacterial ( Pseudomonas fluorescens DR54) and a fungal ( Clonostachys rosea IK726) microbial control agent (MCA), on the indigenous microbiota in bulk soil and rhizosphere of barley, and subsequent a sugar beet crop, were studied in a greenhouse experiment. MCAs were introduced by seed and soil inoculation. Bulk and rhizosphere soils were sampled regularly during the growth of barley and sugar beet. The soils were assayed for the fate of MCAs and various features of the indigenous soil microbiota. At the end of the experiment (193 d), DR54 and IK726 had declined by a factor of 10 6 and 20, respectively, and DR54 showed a short-lasting growth increase in the sugar beet rhizosphere. In general, the non-target effects were small and transient. IK726 seemed to have general stimulating effects on soil enzyme activity and the soil microbiota, and resulted in a significant increase in plant dry weight. The plant growth-promoting effect of DR54 was less pronounced and the DR54 displaced indigenous pseudomonads. DR54 stimulated growth of protozoans with a tolerance for the anti-fungal compound viscosinamide produced by DR54. Treatment with the fungicide Fungazil had no effects on plant growth or soil microorganisms. Phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis detected the perturbations of the soil microbial community structure in the MCA treatments as well as the return to non- perturbed conditions reflecting the decline of inoculant populations. The PLFA technique appears to be suitable for in situ monitoring of MCA non-target effects on the soil microbiota, but should be combined with assays for MCA survival and soil enzyme activity.

Suppression of Rhizoctonia solani diseases of sugar beet by antagonistic and plant growth-promoting yeasts.

Isolates of Candida valida, Rhodotorula glutinis and Trichosporon asahii from the rhizosphere of sugar beet in Egypt were examined for their ability to colonize roots, to promote plant growth and to protect sugar beet from Rhizoctonia solani AG-2-2 diseases, under glasshouse conditions. Root colonization abilities of the three yeast species were tested using the root colonization plate assay and the sand-tube method. In the root colonization plate assay, C. valida and T. asahii colonized 95% of roots after 6 days, whilst Rhod. glutinis colonized 90% of roots after 8 days. Root-colonization abilities of the three yeast species tested by the sand-tube method showed that roots and soils attached to roots of sugar beet seedlings were colonized to different degrees. Population densities showed that the three yeast species were found at all depths of the rhizosphere soil adhering to taproots up to 10 cm, but population densities were significantly (P < 0.05) greater in the first 4 cm of the root system compared with other root depths. The three yeast species, applied individually or in combination, significantly (P < 0.05) promoted plant growth and reduced damping off, crown and root rots of sugar beet in glasshouse trials. The combination of the three yeasts (which were not inhibitory to each other) resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) better biocontrol of diseases and plant growth promotion than plants exposed to individual species. Isolates of C. valida, Rhod. glutinis and T. asahii were capable of colonizing sugar beet roots, promoting growth of sugar beet and protecting the seedlings and mature plants from R. solani diseases. This is the first successful attempt to use yeasts as biocontrol agents against R. solani which causes root diseases. Yeasts were shown to provide significant protection to sugar beet roots against R. solani, a serious soil-borne root pathogen. Yeasts also have the potential to be used as biological fertilizers.

Production of cyclic lipopeptides by Pseudomonas fluorescens strains in bulk soil and in the sugar beet rhizosphere.

The production of cyclic lipopeptides (CLPs) with antifungal and biosurfactant properties by Pseudomonas fluorescens strains was investigated in bulk soil and in the sugar beet rhizosphere. Purified CLPs (viscosinamide, tensin, and amphisin) were first shown to remain highly stable and extractable (90%) when applied (ca. 5 microg g(-1)) to sterile soil, whereas all three compounds were degraded over 1 to 3 weeks in nonsterile soil. When a whole-cell inoculum of P. fluorescens strain DR54 containing a cell-bound pool of viscosinamide was added to the nonsterile soil, declining CLP concentrations were observed over a week. By comparison, addition of the strains 96.578 and DSS73 without cell-bound CLP pools did not result in detectable tensin or amphisin in the soil. In contrast, when sugar beet seeds were coated with the CLP-producing strains and subsequently germinated in nonsterile soil, strain DR54 maintained a high and constant viscosinamide level in the young rhizosphere for approximately 2 days while strains 96.578 and DSS73 exhibited significant production (net accumulation) of tensin or amphisin, reaching a maximum level after 2 days. All three CLPs remained detectable for several days in the rhizosphere. Subsequent tests of five other CLP-producing P. fluorescens strains also demonstrated significant production in the young rhizosphere. The results thus provide evidence that production of different CLPs is a common trait among many P. fluorescens strains in the soil environment, and further, that the production is taking place only in specific habitats like the rhizosphere of germinating sugar beet seeds rather than in the bulk soil.

Population dynamics of Azotobacter chroococcum in sugarbeet rhizosphere depending on mineral nutrition

Population dynamics of Azotobacter chroococcum has been studied in the rhizosphere of a sugarbeet hybrid inoculated with Azotobacter strains 5, 8 and 14. Simultaneously we examined the effects of four levels of nitrogen fertilization (non-fertilized control, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg N/ha) and the applications of manure and harvest residues. Samples were taken three times in May, July and October. The experiment included inoculated and non-inoculated variants at all four levels of fertilization, in five replicates.

Two dnaB genes are associated with the origin of replication of pQBR55, an exogenously isolated plasmid from the rhizosphere of sugar beet

Plasmid pQBR55 (∼149 kb) represents one of five (Groups I–V) genetically distinct transfer proficient, mercury resistance plasmid groups that have been observed in the phytosphere pseudomonad community at a single geographic location in Oxford, UK. A 4.9-kb HindIII fragment was cloned from pQBR55 (a Group III plasmid) that facilitates autonomous replication of a narrow host range cloning vector, pKIL29, in the non-permissive host Pseudomonas putida UWC1. Sequencing revealed that the fragment contains a unique tandem array of dnaB genes (one partial and one complete), a homologue of the traA gene of plasmid RP4 and several potential open reading frames with little homology to any known sequences. The fragment also contains: a short region of direct and indirect repeats, two sequences that resemble the consensus Escherichia coli DnaA box motif, an A+T rich region and evidence of a GC-skew inversion. All features associated with origins of replication. Two specific oligonucleotide primer pairs, one targeted at the tandem dnaB genes and the other at the dnaB–traA arrangement were used for PCR analysis of other plasmids isolated from the same field site. PCR generated amplification products were only amplified from Group III plasmids (defined by RFLP typing) but not from plasmids belonging to Group I, II, IV or V. The nucleotide sequences of the amplified fragments were identical to those of pQBR55, even though the other Group III plasmids had distinct RFLP patterns. The results of a more general PCR screen, using primers to amplify a 389-bp fragment of all described pseudomonad dnaB genes, suggests that closely related dnaB sequences are only associated with Group III plasmids.

Two dnaB genes are associated with the origin of replication of pQBR55, an exogenously isolated plasmid from the rhizosphere of sugar beet

Plasmid pQBR55 ( approximately 149 kb) represents one of five (Groups I-V) genetically distinct transfer proficient, mercury resistance plasmid groups that have been observed in the phytosphere pseudomonad community at a single geographic location in Oxford, UK. A 4.9-kb HindIII fragment was cloned from pQBR55 (a Group III plasmid) that facilitates autonomous replication of a narrow host range cloning vector, pKIL29, in the non-permissive host Pseudomonas putida UWC1. Sequencing revealed that the fragment contains a unique tandem array of dnaB genes (one partial and one complete), a homologue of the traA gene of plasmid RP4 and several potential open reading frames with little homology to any known sequences. The fragment also contains: a short region of direct and indirect repeats, two sequences that resemble the consensus Escherichia coli DnaA box motif, an A+T rich region and evidence of a GC-skew inversion. All features associated with origins of replication. Two specific oligonucleotide primer pairs, one targeted at the tandem dnaB genes and the other at the dnaB-traA arrangement were used for PCR analysis of other plasmids isolated from the same field site. PCR generated amplification products were only amplified from Group III plasmids (defined by RFLP typing) but not from plasmids belonging to Group I, II, IV or V. The nucleotide sequences of the amplified fragments were identical to those of pQBR55, even though the other Group III plasmids had distinct RFLP patterns. The results of a more general PCR screen, using primers to amplify a 389-bp fragment of all described pseudomonad dnaB genes, suggests that closely related dnaB sequences are only associated with Group III plasmids.

Lipopeptide production in Pseudomonas sp. strain DSS73 is regulated by components of sugar beet seed exudate via the Gac two-component regulatory system.

Pseudomonas sp. strain DSS73 isolated from the sugar beet rhizosphere produces the cyclic lipopeptide amphisin, which inhibits the growth of plant-pathogenic fungi. By Tn5::luxAB mutagenesis, we obtained two nonproducing mutant strains, DSS73-15C2 and DSS73-12H8. The gene interrupted by the transposon in strain DSS73-15C2 (amsY) encoded a protein with homology to peptide synthetases that was designated amphisin synthetase. DSS73-12H8 carried the transposon in a regulatory gene encoding a protein with homology to the sensor kinase GacS. Growth of strain DSS73-15C2 (amsY) was impaired during the transition to stationary phase in a minimal medium amended with an exudate of sugar beet seeds. This growth phenotype could be complemented by purified amphisin. Seed exudate further induced expression of bioluminescence from the amsY::luxAB reporter during the transition to stationary phase. This agreed with an increase in amphisin production by the DSS73 wild-type strain during early stationary phase. Amphisin synthesis in DSS73 was strictly dependent on GacS, and even induction by seed exudate depended on a functional gacS locus. Hence, a signal triggering the GacS/GacA two-component system appeared to be present in the seed exudate.

Antibiotic and biosurfactant properties of cyclic lipopeptides produced by fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. from the sugar beet rhizosphere.

Cyclic lipopeptides (CLPs) with antibiotic and biosurfactant properties are produced by a number of soil bacteria, including fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. To provide new and efficient strains for the biological control of root-pathogenic fungi in agricultural crops, we isolated approximately 600 fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. from two different agricultural soils by using three different growth media. CLP production was observed in a large proportion of the strains (approximately 60%) inhabiting the sandy soil, compared to a low proportion (approximately 6%) in the loamy soil. Chemical structure analysis revealed that all CLPs could be clustered into two major groups, each consisting of four subgroups. The two major groups varied primarily in the number of amino acids in the cyclic peptide moiety, while each of the subgroups could be differentiated by substitutions of specific amino acids in the peptide moiety. Production of specific CLPs could be affiliated with Pseudomonas fluorescens strain groups belonging to biotype I, V, or VI. In vitro analysis using both purified CLPs and whole-cell P. fluorescens preparations demonstrated that all CLPs exhibited strong biosurfactant properties and that some also had antibiotic properties towards root-pathogenic microfungi. The CLP-producing P. fluorescens strains provide a useful resource for selection of biological control agents, whether a single strain or a consortium of strains was used to maximize the synergistic effect of multiple antagonistic traits in the inoculum.

Colonization of the developing rhizosphere of sugar beet seedlings by potential biocontrol agents applied as seed treatments.

Poor colonization of the rhizosphere is a major constraint of seed treatment biological control. The objectives of this study were to; examine the colonization of the rhizosphere of sugar beet seedlings by selected rhizobacteria; determine the influence of the host rhizosphere and percolating water on the distribution of the bacteria; and deliver two biological control agents (BCAs) by co-inoculation. Rifampicin-resistant bacterial strains (Rif +) applied as single treatments to seed sown in columns of field soil produced persistent populations of 5-9 log10 cfu g-1 in the infection court of the damping-off pathogen Aphanomyces cochlioides in a controlled environment. However, isolates varied in their ability to colonize the lower rhizosphere. Percolating water significantly increased the colonization of the upper rhizosphere. Bacterial populations in the soil profiles of "non-rhizosphere" controls declined markedly with time. There was no interaction between the two selected BCAs applied as a seed treatment mixture. The distribution of the bacteria resulted primarily from root colonization although percolating water may modify the colonization profiles. Co-inoculation of the sugar-beet rhizosphere is a viable proposition. Potential BCAs were successfully delivered to the known infection court of A. cochloides and persisted for the infection period. This bioassay can be used as a tool for the selection of BCAs for field trials.

Chitinolytic activity of Pseudomonas fluorescens isolates from barley and sugar beet rhizosphere

Twelve isolates of Pseudomonas fluorescens, isolated from barley and sugar beet rhizosphere as antagonists towards the plant pathogenic microfungi Rhizoctonia solani and Pythium ultimum, showed chitinolytic activity in batch cultures when grown in media without exogenous chitin. Enzyme tests in cultures demonstrated a complete array of chitinolytic enzymes. Endochitinase and chitobiosidase activities seemed to be tightly coupled in the isolates, while there was no relationship to N-acetyl-glucosaminidase activity. Endochitinase activity, showing hydrolysis of chitin polymers, was found to be extracellular in all isolates, although the most active isolates also retained a cell-bound fraction. Isoelectric focusing gel electrophoresis of supernatants containing extracellular enzyme activity showed that all isolates produced one native endochitinase in logarithmic phase. This enzyme was subsequently modified into several isozymes by extracellular processing as the cultures aged in stationary phase. The 12 isolates could be grouped into seven isozymic patterns. Detailed studies of three selected isolates showed that extracellular release of endochitinase activity also took place in stationary phase. The results, however, indicated that in stationary phase regulation of both the overall production of native enzyme and the subsequent formation of isozymes were different among the P. fluorescens isolates.

Chitinolytic activity of Pseudomonas fluorescens isolates from barley and sugar beet rhizosphere.

Twelve isolates of Pseudomonas fluorescens, isolated from barley and sugar beet rhizosphere as antagonists towards the plant pathogenic microfungi Rhizoctonia solani and Pythium ultimum, showed chitinolytic activity in batch cultures when grown in media without exogenous chitin. Enzyme tests in cultures demonstrated a complete array of chitinolytic enzymes. Endochitinase and chitobiosidase activities seemed to be tightly coupled in the isolates, while there was no relationship to N-acetyl-glucosaminidase activity. Endochitinase activity, showing hydrolysis of chitin polymers, was found to be extracellular in all isolates, although the most active isolates also retained a cell-bound fraction. Isoelectric focusing gel electrophoresis of supernatants containing extracellular enzyme activity showed that all isolates produced one native endochitinase in logarithmic phase. This enzyme was subsequently modified into several isozymes by extracellular processing as the cultures aged in stationary phase. The 12 isolates could be grouped into seven isozymic patterns. Detailed studies of three selected isolates showed that extracellular release of endochitinase activity also took place in stationary phase. The results, however, indicated that in stationary phase regulation of both the overall production of native enzyme and the subsequent formation of isozymes were different among the P. fluorescens isolates.

Ecological basis for biocontrol of damping-off disease by pseudomonas fluorescens 54/96

Pseudomonas fluorescens 54/96, originally isolated from the rhizosphere of sugar beet, has been shown to be commercially effective in field trials for the suppression of a number of fungal diseases of seedlings. In vitro and microcosm-based assays revealed that both the timing and method of application of bacteria were important for effective control of Pythium ultimum, the causative agent of damping-off disease. Following transposon mutagenesis (Tn5lac), mutants deficient for the suppression of Pythium ultimum infections of peas were isolated. Three major classes of insertional mutants of Ps. fluorescens 54/96 were identified which either inhibited sporulation, reduced mycelial growth or affected the regulation of bacterial metabolic activity. Evaluation of the metabolic capability of pathogen and antagonist revealed evidence for direct competition, as both the fungus and bacterium had similar sole carbon source nutrient utilization profiles. Further comparisons of the activity of the transposon mutants indicated that although the mechanisms of disease control were multifactorial, the most significant factor was the prevention of rapid spore germination in the presence of pea seeds.

Potassium efficiency and dynamics in the rhizosphere of wheat, maize, and sugar beet evaluated by a mechanistic model

Potassium (K) efficiency and its depletion in the rhizosphere of summer wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Planet), maize (Zea mays L. cv. Pirat), and sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L. cv. Orbis) was studied in a pot culture experiment with Anglberg sandy clay loam soil from Bavaria, Germany having 50 μM K (K1), 140 μMK (K2), and 1,700 μM K (K3) in soil solution. Soil and plant parameters were determined to evaluate nutrient uptake model NST 3.0 which takes into account contribution of root hairs. Sugar beet produced maximum dry matter yield at 50 μM K in soil solution. Increasing level of K did not affect dry matter yield, while K content of plants increased three times. Wheat and maize dry matter yield increased by 60 and 30%, respectively, with increase in soil solution K to 140 μM suggesting that sugar beet had higher K efficiency than wheat and maize. Sugar beet had the lowest root/shoot ratio but highest relative shoot growth rate resulting in 3.2 and 2 times higher shoot demand on root than wheat and maize, respectively. On the other hand sugar beet had four times higher K influx at 50 uM K in soil solution than wheat and maize. Thus, the higher K efficiency of sugar beet was because of higher K influx. Nutrient uptake model calculations showed that initial soil solution K concentration of 50 uM at the root surface decreased to as low as 2.7 uM for sugar beet compared to 9.3 uM for maize and 13 uM for wheat alter 11 days of uptake. According to these calculations the higher influx of sugar beet was due to its capability to decrease the K concentration at the root surface to a lower value thereby increasing the concentration gradient and so the transport to the root surface. Mathematically modeled soil and plant parameters satisfactorily predicted K influx, however at Kt level model over predicted K influx for wheat and maize and under predicted for sugar beet. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that at K1 level CLi was the most sensitive factor increasing K influx in wheat, maize, and sugar beet. Increasing Imax increased K influx in wheat and maize, but did not help increasing K influx in sugar beet.