title: Higher nitrate-reducer diversity in macrophyte-colonized compared to unvegetated freshwater sediment.
abstract: Freshwater macrophytes stimulate rhizosphere-associated coupled nitrification-denitrification and are therefore likely to influence the community composition and abundance of rhizosphere-associated denitrifiers and nitrate reducers. Using the narG gene, which encodes the catalytic subunit of the membrane-bound nitrate reductase, as a molecular marker, the community composition and relative abundance of nitrate-reducing bacteria were compared in the rhizosphere of the freshwater macrophyte species Littorella uniflora and Myriophyllum alterniflorum to nitrate-reducing communities in unvegetated sediment. Microsensor analysis indicated a higher availability of oxygen in the rhizosphere compared to unvegetated sediment, with a stronger release of oxygen from the roots of L. uniflora compared to M. alterniflorum. Comparison of narG clone libraries between samples revealed a higher diversity of narG phylotypes in association with the macrophyte rhizospheres compared to unvegetated sediment. Quantitative PCR targeting narG- and 16S rRNA-encoding genes pointed to a selective enrichment of narG gene copies in the rhizosphere. The results suggested that the microenvironment of macrophyte rhizospheres, characterized by the release of oxygen and labile organic carbon from the root system, had a stimulating effect on the diversity and relative abundance of rhizosphere-associated nitrate reducers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Microbiology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Michael V W
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Kofoed
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stief
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hauzmayer
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schramm
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Herrmann
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D058448:Biota; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D029624:Ferns / Q000254:growth & development; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000382:microbiology*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000382:microbiology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D050901:Nitrate Reductase / Q000235:genetics; D009566:Nitrates / Q000378:metabolism*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010802:Phylogeny; D010943:Plantago / Q000254:growth & development; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D009566:Nitrates; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D050901:Nitrate Reductase