Actinotalea soli sp. nov., isolated from Kubuqi Desert soil.

A Gram-stain positive, facultatively anaerobic, motile rod-shaped strain, BY-33T, was isolated from a soil sample obtained from the Kubuqi Desert, PR China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity revealed that strain BY-33T was most closely related to the genus Actinotalea, including Actinotalea ferrariae CF5-4T (98.2 % similarity), 'Actinotalea subterranea' HO-Ch2T (98.0 %), Actinotalea solisilvae THG-T121T (97.6 %), 'Actinotalea bogoriensis' 69B4T (97.5 %), Actinotalea fermentans MT (97.3 %) and 'Actinotalea carbonis' T26T (97.0 %). The strain grew at 0‒37 °C (optimum, 28-30 °C) and pH 6.0-11.0 (optimum, pH 9.0-10.0) and with 0‒8.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 3.0%) on tryptic soy agar. It had catalase activity, but no oxidase activity. The polar lipids of strain BY-33T contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidylinositol mannosides. The major respiratory quinone of strain BY-33T was MK-10 (H4). Its major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 1 A and C16 : 0. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain BY-33T was 73.0 mol% based on total genome calculations. The average nucleotide identity scores between the genomic sequences of strain BY-33T and the other species of the genus Actinotalea were found to be low (ANIm <85.0 %, ANIb <77.0 % and OrthoANIu <78.0 %). Furthermore, the digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average amino acid identity values between strain BY-33T and the closely related species ranged from 20.5 to 21.0% and from 62.2 to 72.2 %, respectively. Based on the results of phylogenetic, phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic analyses, it is concluded that strain BY-33T represents a novel species within the genus Actinotalea, for which the name Actinotalea soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BY-33T (=CGMCC 1.17460T=KCTC 49362T).

Sutcliffiella deserti sp. nov., isolated from desert soil.

A Gram-stain-positive, facultative anaerobic, motile and rod-shaped bacterial strain, DG-18T, was isolated from desert soil sampled at the Kubuqi Desert in Inner Mongolia, China. Strain DG-18T grew at 4-40 °C (optimum, 25-30 °C), at pH 8.0-10.0 (optimum, pH 9.0) and with 0-8.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 2.0%). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis placed strain DG-18T within the genus Sutcliffiella of the family Bacillaceae with Sutcliffiella halmapala DSM 8723T (98.2%), Sutcliffiella zhanjiangensis JSM 099021T (97.6%), Sutcliffiella horikoshii DSM 8719T (97.4%), Sutcliffiella catenulata 18CT (96.6 %) and Sutcliffiella cohnii NBRC 15565T (96.5%) as its closest relatives. The major respiratory quinone of strain DG-18T was MK-7 and the major polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. Its major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 1 ω10c. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain DG-18T was 38.7 mol% based on total genome calculations. The average nucleotide identity score between the genomic sequence of strain DG-18T and that of S. halmapala DSM 8723T was 76.7 %. The Genome-to-Genome Distance Calculator showed that the DNA-DNA hybridization value for strain DG-18T and S. halmapala DSM 8723T was 21.8%. Based on the polyphasic taxonomic data, strain DG-18T represents a novel species of the genus Sutcliffiella, for which the name Sutcliffiella deserti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DG-18T (=GDMCC 1.17773T=KCTC 43170T).

Description and genome analysis of Luteimonas viscosa sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from soil of a sunflower field.

Strain XBU10T was isolated from a soil sample of a sunflower plot in Inner Mongolia, China. The isolate was a Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterium, and its colonies were bright yellow in colour. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain XBU10T belonged to the genus Luteimonas of the family Lysobacteraceae and was most closely related to Luteimonas panaciterrae Gsoil 068T (97.8%), Luteimonas marina FR1330T (97.6%), Luteimonas aquatica RIB1-20T (97.4%) and Luteimonas huabeiensis HB2T (97.2%). Growth occurred at 4-40 °C (optimum, 28-30 °C), with 0-5.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0.5%) and at pH 6.0-10.0 (optimum, pH 7.0 - 8.0). The chemotaxonomic characteristics of strain XBU10T, which had Q-8 as its predominant quinone and iso-C17:1 ω9c, iso-C15:0, iso-C17:0 and iso-C16:0 as its major fatty acids, were consistent with classification in the genus Luteimonas. The polar lipid profile of strain XBU10T comprised phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified phospholipid, two unidentified aminophospholipids and three unidentified polar lipids. The genome of strain XBU10T was 4.17 Mbp with a G + C content of 69.9%. Its genome sequence showed genes encoding alkaline phosphatase and catalase. Protein-coding genes related to carbohydrate-active enzymes were also observed. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between XBU10T and other species of the genus Luteimonas were found to be low (ANIm < 88.0%, ANIb < 85.0% and OrthoANIu < 85.0%). Furthermore, digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) and average amino acid identity (AAI) values between strain XBU10T and the closely related species ranged from 20.3 to 28.9% and from 64.2 to 82.3%, respectively. Based on the results of our phylogenetic, phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic analyses, it is concluded that strain XBU10T represents a novel species within the genus Luteimonas, for which the name Luteimonas viscosa sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is XBU10T (= CGMCC 1.12158T = KCTC 23878T).

Chitinophaga solisilvae sp. nov., isolated from forest soil.

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterial strain, O9T, was isolated from a forest soil sample collected at Dai, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, PR China. Strain O9T grew optimally at pH 7.0, at 28‒30 °C and in the absence of NaCl. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis placed strain O9T within the genus Chitinophaga of the family Chitinophagaceae, with Chitinophaga terrae KP01T (97.8 %), Chitinophaga jiangningensis JN53T (97.7 %), Chitinophaga niastensis JS16-4T (97.4 %), Chitinophaga qingshengii JN246T (97.3 %) and Chitinophaga dinghuensis DHOC24T (97.3 %) as its closest relatives. Strain O9T hydrolysed casein, gelatin and Tween 80. It could not assimilate l-arabinose, l-rhamnose, sucrose, melibiose, gentiobiose or d-fructose as a carbon source. It was negative for esterase lipase (C8) and ß-glucosidase. Phosphatidylethanolamine was the predominant polar lipid. The major respiratory quinone of strain O9T was MK-7. Its major fatty acids were iso-C15:0 (34.2 %), C16:1 ω5c (20.9 %) and iso-C17:0 3-OH (12.6 %). The genomic DNA G+C content of strain O9T was 49.0 mol% based on total genome calculations. The average nucleotide identity score between the genomic sequence of strain O9T and that of Chitinophaga terrae KP01T was 72.9%. The Genome-to-Genome Distance Calculator showed that DNA‒DNA hybridization values for strain O9T and Chitinophaga terrae KP01T were 13.6, 21.1 and 14.4%, respectively. Based on the polyphasic taxonomic data, strain O9T represents a novel species of the genus Chitinophaga, for which the name Chitinophaga solisilvae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is O9T (=CGMCC 1.12462T=KCTC 32404T).

Paenibacillus luteus sp. nov., isolated from soil.

A novel Gram-stain-positive, strictly aerobic, motile, spore-forming and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated R-3T, was isolated from a soil sample obtained from the shore of Lake Panyang, Sichuan Province, PR China. Strain R-3T hydrolysed starch and casein. It could not assimilate d-glucose as a carbon source, or produce acid from d-glucose and l-arabinose. Phylogenetic, phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular studies were performed on the new isolate. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain R-3T was a member of the genus Paenibacillus, exhibiting the highest sequence similarity to Paenibacillus sinopodophylli TEGR-3T (98.4 %). The organism grew at 4-38 °C (optimum, 28-30 °C), at pH 6.0-10.0 (pH 7.0-7.5) and with 0-2.5 % (w/v) NaCl (1 %). The predominant menaquinone was MK-7. Anteiso-C15 : 0 (60.7 %) and C16 : 0 (15.5 %) were the major fatty acids. The cellular polar lipids contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified aminophospholipids and one unidentified phospholipid. The DNA G+C content of strain R-3T was determined to be 47.0 mol%. The DNA-DNA relatedness between strain R-3T and P. sinopodophylli TEGR-3T was 21.2 %. Based on the results obtained in this study, strain R-3T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillusluteus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is R-3T (=CGMCC 1.16135T=KCTC 33912T).

Rhizobium helianthi sp. nov., isolated from the rhizosphere of sunflower.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped and aerobic bacterium, designated Xi19T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from the rhizosphere of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) in Wuyuan county of Inner Mongolia, China and was characterized taxonomically by using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the novel isolate was related to species of the genus Rhizobium, sharing the greatest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Rhizobium rhizoryzae J3-AN59T (98.4 %), followed by Rhizobium pseudoryzae J3-A127T (97.4 %). There were low similarities ( < 91 %) between the atpD, recA and glnII gene sequences of the novel strain and those of members of the genus Rhizobium. DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain Xi19T and the most related strain Rhizobium rhizoryzae J3-AN59T were low. The major cellular fatty acids of strain Xi19T were C16 : 0, summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c) and C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c. Q-10 was identified as the predominant ubiquinone and the major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine. The DNA G+C content of strain Xi19T was 60.2 mol%. On the basis of physiological and biochemical characteristics, coupled with genotypic data obtained in this work, strain Xi19T represents a novel species of the genus Rhizobium, for which the name Rhizobium helianthi is proposed. The type strain is Xi19T ( = CGMCC 1.12192T = KCTC 23879T).

Pseudoxanthomonas wuyuanensis sp. nov., isolated from saline-alkali soil.

A bacterium, designated XC21-2(T), was isolated from a saline-alkaline soil sample from China. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped and motile and grew optimally at 35-37 °C, pH 6.0-7.0 and in the presence of 0.5% (w/v) NaCl. Growth occurred in the range pH 5.5-9.0 and in the presence of up to 4 % (w/v) NaCl. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and iso-C17 : 1ω9c. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and an uncharacterized amino-group-containing polar lipid. The major quinone was ubiquinone 8 (Q-8) and the G+C content of the genomic DNA was 66.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain XC21-2(T) formed a tight phylogenetic lineage with Pseudoxanthomonas dokdonensis KCTC 12543(T) within the genus Pseudoxanthomonas and was most closely related to P. dokdonensis KCTC 12543(T) and P. mexicana ATCC 700993(T), with 97.9 and 97.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, respectively. On the basis of the unique physiological profile of the isolate and its phylogenetic divergence from known species, strain XC21-2(T) represents a novel species within the genus Pseudoxanthomonas, for which the name Pseudoxanthomonas wuyuanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is XC21-2(T) ( = CGMCC 1.10978(T) = KCTC 23877(T)).

Soil bacterial diversity and community structure of Suaeda glauca vegetation in the Hetao Irrigation District, Inner Mongolia, China.

Exploring the bacterial community in the S. glauca rhizosphere was of great value for understanding how this species adapted to the saline-alkali environment and for the rational development and use of saline-alkali soils. In this study, high-throughput sequencing technology was used to investigate the diversity characteristics and distribution patterns of soil bacterial communities in the rhizosphere of S.glauca-dominated communities in the Hetao Irrigation Distract, Inner Mongolia, China. The relationships among bacterial characteristics, soil physicochemical properties and vegetation in four sampling sites were analyzed. The soil bacterial communities in the rhizosphere of S. glauca-dominated communities were mainly composed of 16 phyla (i.e., Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Gemmatimonadetes, Chloroflexi, Acidobacteria, Firmicutes, Planctomycetes, Deinococcus-Thermus, Verrucomicrobia, Saccharibacteria, Cyanobacteria, Nitrospirae, JL-ETNP-Z39, Parcubacteria and Chlorobi), and these populations accounted for more than 99% of the total bacterial community. At the genus level, the main bacterial communities comprised Halomonas, Nitriliruptor, Euzebya and Pelagibius, which accounted for 15.70% of the total bacterial community. An alpha diversity analysis indicated that the richness and diversity of rhizosphere soil bacteria differed significantly among the sampling sites, and the bacterial richness and diversity indices of severe saline-alkali land were higher than those of light and moderate saline-alkali land. The principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) showed significant differences in the species composition of the rhizosphere soil bacterial community among different sampling sites. A correlation analysis showed that the number of bacterial species exhibited the highest correlation with the soil water content (SWC). The richness and evenness indices were significantly correlated with the SWC and SO4 2-, K+ and Mg2+ concentrations. The electrical conductivity (EC), soluble ions (Na+, CO3 2- + HCO3 -, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and SO4 2+), SWC and vegetation coverage (VC) were the main drivers affecting the changes in its community structure. The bacterial community in the rhizosphere of S. glauca enhanced the adaptability of S. glauca to saline-alkali environment by participating in the cycling process of nutrient elements, the decomposition of organic matter and the production of plant growth regulating substances. These results provided a theoretical reference for further study on the relationship among rhizosphere soil microorganisms and salt tolerance in halophytes.

Streptomyces wuyuanensis sp. nov., an actinomycete from soil.

A novel actinomycete, strain FX61(T), was isolated from a saline sample collected from the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region in China and subjected to a taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H6), MK-9(H8) and MK-9(H4). The major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 1 H, C16 : 0, iso-C14 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. The phospholipid profile contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, two phosphatidylinositol mannosides and an unidentified phospholipid. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 72 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of the isolate had greater than 98 % similarity with those of Streptomyces griseoincarnatus ATCC 23623(T) (98.2 %), Streptomyces labedae DSM 41446(T) (98.2 %), Streptomyces variabilis ATCC 19815(T) (98.2 %), Streptomyces erythrogriseus ATCC 27427(T) (98.2 %), Streptomyces matensis ATCC 23935(T) (98.2 %), Streptomyces althioticus ATCC 19724(T) (98.2 %) and Streptomyces luteosporeus ATCC 33049(T) (98.0 %), showing that the novel strain should be assigned to the genus Streptomyces. DNA-DNA hybridizations with the seven above-mentioned members of the genus Streptomyces showed 29.8, 28.5, 27.0, 25.5, 25.0, 23.5 and 22.0 % relatedness, respectively. On the basis of the phenotypic characteristics and genotypic distinctiveness, strain FX61(T) should be classified as a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces wuyuanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is FX61(T) (= CGMCC 4.7042(T) = KCTC 29112(T)).

Massilia lurida sp. nov., isolated from soil.

A bacterial isolate, designated strain D5(T), was isolated from a soil sample collected from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China, and subjected to a taxonomic investigation using a polyphasic approach. Strain D5(T) was aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped and motile. Strain D5(T) fell within the evolutionary radius of the genus Massilia in the phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and was most closely related to Massilia plicata 76(T) with 97.3% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. The predominant quinone of strain D5(T) was Q-8. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. The major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (comprising C16:1ω7c and/or iso-C15:0 2-OH) and C16:0. These chemotaxonomic data supported the affiliation of strain D5(T) to the genus Massilia. The genomic DNA G+C content was 65.9 mol%. Mean DNA-DNA relatedness values between strain D5(T) and the phylogenetically most closely related species of the genus Massilia, Massilia plicata KCTC 12344(T) and Massilia dura KCTC 12342(T), were 26 and 21%, respectively. Strain D5(T) could be differentiated from recognized species of the genus Massilia by several phenotypic characteristics. It is clear from the data presented that strain D5(T) represents a novel species of the genus Massilia, for which the name Massilia lurida sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is D5(T) (=CGMCC 1.10822(T)=KCTC 23880(T)).

Mycobacterium litorale sp. nov., a rapidly growing mycobacterium from soil.

A gram-positive, acid-fast and rapidly growing rod, designated F4(T), was isolated from a soil sample of Haikou in China. The isolate shared 98.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Mycobacterium monacense B9-21-178(T), 96.2 % hsp65 sequence similarity with M. monacense FI-05352 and 79.6 % 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer sequence similarity with M. monacense B9-21-178(T). DNA-DNA relatedness between the isolate and M. monacense DSM 44395(T) was 43.5 %. The morphological analysis and physiological tests also showed that the isolate differed from any strain reported to date. The mycolic acid profile and the cellular fatty acid composition were also determined. On the basis of phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics and phylogenetic data, it was concluded that strain F4(T) ( = CGMCC 4.5724(T) = JCM 17423(T)) merited classification as the type strain of a novel species, for which the name Mycobacterium litorale sp. nov. is proposed.

Brevundimonas viscosa sp. nov., isolated from saline soil.

A Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated F3(T), was isolated from a saline soil sample in China and studied by using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain F3(T) was affiliated with the genus Brevundimonas, with Brevundimonas kwangchunensis KSL-102(T) (98.4 % similarity) and Brevundimonas alba DSM 4736(T) (98.2 %) as its closest relatives. Strain F3(T) contained ubiquinone-10 (Q-10) as the predominant ubiquinone and C(18 : 1)ω7c, C(17 : 1)ω8c and C(16 : 0) as the major fatty acids. The DNA G+C content of strain F3(T) was 66.7 mol%. Levels of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain F3(T) and the type strains of closely related Brevundimonas species were below 22 %. On the basis of phenotypic characteristics and genotypic distinctiveness, strain F3(T) should be classified as representing a novel species of the genus Brevundimonas, for which the name Brevundimonas viscosa sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is F3(T) ( = CGMCC 1.10683(T) = JCM 17426(T)).

Massilia flava sp. nov., isolated from soil.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain Y9(T), was isolated from a soil sample collected in Ningxia Province in China and was characterized to determine its taxonomic position. Strain Y9(T) contained Q-8 as the predominant ubiquinone. Major fatty acid components were summed feature 3 (C(16:1)ω7c and/or iso-C(15:0) 2-OH) and C(16:0). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain Y9(T) was 68.7 mol%. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain fell within the evolutionary radiation encompassed by the genus Massilia. Levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain Y9(T) and the type strains of recognized Massilia species ranged from 95.2 to 98.2%, the highest values being with Massilia albidiflava 45(T) (98.2%) and Massilia lutea 101(T) (98.0%). However, levels of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain Y9(T) and M. albidiflava KCTC 12343(T) and M. lutea KCTC 12345(T) were 37 and 26%, respectively. Strain Y9(T) was clearly differentiated from its nearest phylogenetic relatives in the genus Massilia based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties. Therefore, strain Y9(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Massilia, for which the name Massilia flava sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Y9(T) (=CGMCC 1.10685(T) =KCTC 23585(T)).

Actinoplanes atraurantiacus sp. nov., isolated from soil.

A Gram-positive-staining bacterium, designated Y16(T), was isolated from a soil sample from Yunnan Province, China. The isolate grew optimally at 25-30 °C, grew at pH 6.0-9.0 and could grow with 3 % NaCl. Strain Y16(T) had cell-wall peptidoglycan based on meso-diaminopimelic acid. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H(4)) and MK-9(H(2)). The major fatty acid methyl esters were anteiso-C(15 : 0), iso-C(15 : 0), anteiso-C(17 : 0) and C(16 : 0). These chemotaxonomic characteristics suggested that the organism belonged to the genus Actinoplanes. Strain Y16(T) shared 98.7, 98.3 and 97.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Actinoplanes deccanensis IFO 13994(T), A. abujensis A4029(T) and A. brasiliensis DSM 43805(T), respectively. The DNA G+C content of the isolate was 70.8 mol%. DNA-DNA relatedness between the novel isolate and the type strains of A. deccanensis, A. abujensis and A. brasiliensis was 35.2, 32.0 and 22.3 %, respectively. In addition, the pattern of phenotypic properties distinguished strain Y16(T) from its closest phylogenetic neighbours. It is therefore concluded that strain Y16(T) ( = CGMCC 4.6857(T) = JCM 17700(T)) represents a novel species of the genus Actinoplanes, for which the name Actinoplanes atraurantiacus sp. nov. is proposed.

Nocardiopsis flavescens sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from marine sediment.

A Gram-positive, aerobic bacterium, strain SA6(T), was isolated from marine sediment taken at a depth of 20 cm on the seashore of Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, China. Strain SA6(T) contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, no diagnostic sugars, type PIII phospholipids, and MK-10(H(2)) and MK-10(H(4)) as the predominant menaquinones. The organism showed a range of chemical and morphological properties consistent with its classification in the genus Nocardiopsis. The almost-complete 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain SA6(T) was aligned with corresponding sequences of representatives of the genus Nocardiopsis and related taxa by using two tree-making algorithms. Strain SA6(T) formed a distinct phyletic line within the evolutionary radiation occupied by the genus Nocardiopsis and was related most closely to the type strain of Nocardiopsis lucentensis. Strain SA6(T) could be distinguished from its nearest phylogenetic relatives in the genus Nocardiopsis based on DNA-DNA relatedness data and a combination of phenotypic properties. Strain SA6(T) should therefore be assigned to the genus Nocardiopsis as a representative of a novel species, for which the name Nocardiopsis flavescens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SA6(T) ( = CGMCC 4.5723(T) = JCM 17424(T)).

[Effects of different irrigation modes in winter wheat growth season on the grain yield and water use efficiency of winter wheat-summer maize].

Three irrigation modes in winter wheat growth season were carried out in Heilonggang basin of North China Plain to investigate their effects on the grain yield, water consumption, and water use efficiency (WUE) of winter wheat-summer maize. The three irrigation modes included irrigation before sowing (75 mm, W1), irrigation before sowing and at jointing stage (75 mm + 90 mm, W2), and irrigation before sowing, at jointing stage, and at filling stage (75 mm + 90 mm + 60 mm, W3). With the irrigation modes W2 and W3, the increment of the annual yield of winter wheat-summer maize was 8.7% and 12.5% higher than that with W1, respectively. The water consumption in winter wheat growth season decreased with increasing irrigation amount, while that in summer maize growth season increased with the increasing irrigation amount in winter wheat growth season. The WUE of winter wheat with the irrigation mode W2 was 11.1% higher than that with W3, but the WUE of summer maize had less difference between irrigation modes W2 and W3. The annual WUE (WUE(T)) of W2 and W1 was 21.28 and 21.60 kg(-1) x mm x hm(-2), being 7.8% and 9.4% higher than that of W3, respectively. Considering the annual yield, water consumption, and WUE, irrigation mode W2 could be the advisable mode for water-saving and high-yielding.