钾高效小麦基因型的筛选指标和筛选环境研究

不同植物或同一植物的不同基因型吸收和利用钾素的能力差异十分显著[1]。利用和选育耐低钾的植物基因型,挖掘作物自身基因潜力,是提高作物钾素营养效率和缓解我国钾素资源短缺,促进“生态环保型”农业可持续发展的一条有效途径。“钾高效”植物基因型的选育过程中,首先遇到的问题就是“钾高效”种质资源的筛选。针对不同作物和养分确立合适的筛选环境和筛选指标是做好这项工作的前提。近年来有关钾高效种质资源筛选的报道很多[2-5],这些研究采用的筛选环境有大田、土培、砂培、液培等,筛选指标有钾利用效率、钾利用指数、生物量、钾吸收动力…     

低钾胁迫下外源生长素对烟草根系生长及钾吸收的影响

【目的】探明生长素参与低钾胁迫下植株根系的生长发育及吸钾机制,同时为提高植物体内钾素水平提供理论依据。【方法】采用室内水培法,以模式植物烟草为试验材料,通过设置2个钾浓度(5、0.15 mmol/L)和5个外源生长素(3–吲哚乙酸)浓度(0、5、10、20、40μmol/L),对植物根系生理特征、内源生长素浓度、钾素累积及钾吸收动力学和相关钾离子通道基因转录表达进行比较研究。【结果】1)与正常钾水平相比,在低钾胁迫条件下,植株地上部干重显著降低15.6%;根系扫描8项指标中,除根平均直径外,其余7项指标值均显著降低;ATPase活性显著降低43.3%;主根尖、侧根尖及叶片内源生长素浓度显著升高;钾吸收动力学参数Vmax、Km值分别显著降低了89.2%、99.6%;植株根系、叶片钾浓度分别显著降低了93.0%、62.2%;根系中内流型钾离子通道基因Ntkc1的表达量显著降低56%。2)添加外源生长素后,正常供钾植株的根系干物质重、根系活力、主根尖及侧根尖内源生长素浓度有增加的趋势,Vmax值和内流型钾离子通道基因NKT2、NtKC1的表达量明显增加;低钾条件下,植株表现出和正常供钾相似的规律,除此之外,低钾植株的根系生长得到明显改善,ATPase活性和地上地下部钾素浓度明显增加,外流型钾离子通道基因Ntork1的表达量明显降低。3)当添加生长素浓度为10μmol/L时,与未添加生长素相比,正常供钾植株的地上地下部干重显著增加了6.05%、8.54%;根体积及根系交叠数显著增加16.5%、23.2%;根系活力显著增加了298%;Vmax值显著增加了118%;低钾植株地上地下部干重与不添加相比显著提高了5.61%、28.6%;根系活力达到113μg/(g·h), FW,为无添加生长素时的3.3倍;根系ATPase活性相对增加了87.5%;根系钾浓度显著增加250%;钾离子通道基因NKT2在根系中表达量显著增加了7.04倍,Ntork1在根系及叶片中表达量显著降低了49.5%、72.5%。【结论】低钾胁迫影响烟草根系生长及植株对钾素的吸收累积,添加适当浓度外源生长素可改善植株根系生长发育状况,增加内流型钾离子通道基因NKT2、NtKC1的表达量,降低外流型钾离子通道基因Ntork1的表达量,且提高植株钾吸收动力学参数Vmax值、降低Km值,从而提高了植株对钾离子的吸收能力与亲和力,进而增加植株钾素浓度。     

海蓬子中高亲和钾离子转运体SbHKT1基因的克隆、表达及生物信息学分析

本研究利用RACE技术从真盐生植物海蓬子中获得了高亲和钾离子转运体SbHKT1基因1647bp完整的ORF框。序列分析结果表明,该基因编码548个氨基酸,分子量为62.10kD,理论等电点为9.33;氨基酸序列中第1个～第35个属信号肽序列,第197个～第537个属离子转运体（TrkH）家族特征序列;该基因编码的蛋白具有10个跨膜结构,N端跨膜区及中部膜上呈现明显的疏水性,C端及中部多个跨膜区呈现强疏水性,符合载体类运输蛋白的特点,因此推测SbHKT1蛋白为跨膜运输蛋白。Blast分析显示该蛋白与碱蓬SsHKT1氨基酸同源性高达77%,与冰叶日中花、赤桉和小麦HKT类蛋白的同源性分别为63%、52%和46%。SbHkt1基因表达存在组织特异性：正常生长条件在根、茎中表达较低,在叶片中几乎看不到表达;在高盐低钾的环境下,各组织表达明显升高,高盐低钾胁迫处理8h,其根部表达处于高峰期;经100μmol/L脱落酸处理4h,根部表达达到最高;干旱胁迫（20%PEG6000）处理2h,根部表达量明显上升。由此推断,该基因参与了植物在高盐低钾、渗透、干旱等非生物胁迫下的生理调控。由于目前已克隆的HKT类蛋白基因多来自非盐生植物,对盐生植物内源HKT基因的研究相对较少,因此,海蓬子内源HKT1基因的全长的获得有助于我们进一步研究该基因在高盐钾饥饿环境下运输钾离子,调节植物体内Na＋/K＋平衡的功能,对于揭示真盐生植物的耐盐机制,将其运用于非盐生植物,培育新的耐盐品种具有一定的意义。     

提高植物钾素利用效率的基因工程途径研究——以过表达ZmK2.1拟南芥为例

本文通过对13种植物（拟南芥，水稻，玉米，大豆，甜瓜，胡萝卜、葡萄、马铃薯、沙冬青、苜蓿、小花碱茅、黄瓜及杨树）中的Shaker型钾离子通道进行生物信息学聚类分析和氨基酸序列比对，选定C端区域反映C4植物特征的玉米气孔开放型钾离子吸收通道ZmK2.1，构建了过表达ZmK2.1的拟南芥株系（OE#3、OE#5、OE#11），同时以野生型Col-0为对照实验材料，研究过表达ZmK2.1拟南芥植株的钾素利用特征。实验采用固体培养基和水培培养相结合的方法，设置低钾（0.1 mol/L KCl）、中钾（1 mol/L KCl）及高钾（10 mol/L KCl）三个不同供钾水平，测定植株生物量、根长、钾含量、钾积累量、气孔导度、光合速率及蒸腾速率。研究结果：在钾充足条件下，过表达ZmK2.1拟南芥的根长、生物量、钾含量、钾积累量与对照相比，均显著增加。同时，过表达ZmK2.1基因的拟南芥气孔导度、光合速率、蒸腾速率显著提高。本研究结果表明：在供钾充足的条件下，通过基因工程手段过表达ZmK2.1基因可显著促进拟南芥植物的生长，并显著提高其钾素利用效率，这与ZmK2.1可显著增加植株的气孔导度，进而提高其光合效率和蒸腾速率密切相关。     

WRKY转录因子调控植物养分吸收利用及重金属解毒的研究进展

WRKY蛋白是植物特有的一类重要转录调控因子，它们通过与下游基因启动子上的W-box元件特异性结合诱导或抑制相关基因的表达，从而调控植物生长发育以及植物对生物和非生物胁迫的响应。植物WRKY基因组数目多，在拟南芥、大豆和水稻基因组中已经分别鉴定出74、182和109个，在植物对干旱、盐害、高温、养分匮乏和病原体感染等各种生物、非生物胁迫的响应过程中起关键作用。例如AtWRKY45和AtWRKY75参与调控拟南芥应答低磷养分胁迫，GmWRKY142正向调控拟南芥对镉胁迫的耐受性。在植物面对逆境胁迫时，WRKY蛋白通过与养分相关基因启动子的W-box元件特异性结合，进而实现自我调节或交叉调节，激活或抑制下游基因的转录以应对各种逆境胁迫。众多WRKY下游靶基因也已被鉴定出来，例如PHT家族成员与磷营养相关；3个拟南芥WRKY基因和6个大豆WRKY基因参与调控植物对氮素的吸收利用；6个拟南芥WRKY基因、10个大豆WRKY基因和5个水稻WRKY基因调节植物应对低磷胁迫；2个拟南芥WRKY基因和6个大豆WRKY基因影响植物对钾的吸收利用；3个大豆WRKY基因参与调控植物对硫营养的吸收利用；1个拟...     

钾-平衡栽培体系中植物中必须的大量元素

钾的元素符号是K.虽然钾不是植物结构组分元素.但却是植物生理活动中最重要的元素之一. 1植物对钾的吸收和转运 植物根系以钾离子(K+)的形式吸收钾.     

施用不同氮、钾肥水平对卷心菜中硝酸盐含量积累的影响

通过施用不同含量的氮、钾，对卷心菜中硝酸盐含量积累的田间试验得出：影响蔬菜中硝酸盐含量的主要因素是氮，而钾对蔬菜中硝酸盐含量的积累和减少无明显的影响。这是因为影响植物吸收钾的因素很多，光照、温度、水分等外界条件的改变会直接影响植物对钾的吸收，并使植物体内的氮代谢和硝酸盐积累也受到影响。     

土壤钾素的有效性及其评定方法的研究

用生物耗竭试验法研究了在不同供钾潜力土壤上,植物对钾肥的反应,植物对土壤钾和肥料钾的利用。不同供钾潜力土壤的钾素有效性是不同的,通过植物吸收,速效钾和缓效钾均有不同程度的降低,植物吸钾量中部分来自矿物钾,但矿物钾释放量只占矿物钾总量的0.04—1.58%。矿物钾的释放很慢,不能满足植物迅速生长的需要。用阳离子树脂袋法和其它化学方法与生物法进行了比较。用树脂袋法和生物法测得的矿物钾释放量,二者接近。树脂袋法的提取量同水稻和大米草吸钾量也很接近,而且二者的相关性均达到0.916^**树脂袋法较生物法简便。     

北方主要土壤钾形态及其植物有效性研究

从北方12个省（市、自治区）选取了25个有代表性的土壤样品,将土壤中的钾按其存在形态计为水溶性钾、非特殊吸附钾、特殊吸附钾、非交换性钾和矿物钾。前三种形态钾的总和不超过全钾的2．0％．非交换性钾也仅占全钾的2．7％～9．4％,而全钾的89．8％～96．8％是以矿物态存在的。根据土壤中各形态钾含量,特别是非交换性钾含量分析,可以看出供试25个土壤的供钾能力按取土地点自西向东（西北－华北－东北）有明显降低的趋势。在连续耗竭情况下,不同土壤的植物净吸钾总量的差异十分悬殊,范围为96．3～793．5mg／pot。根据植物净吸钾总量的大小,将供试土壤的供钾能力分为极高、高、中、较低和低5个等级。其结果也表明供试土壤供钾能力控取土地点自西向东呈明显降低的趋势。耗竭条件下植物吸取来自土壤不同形态钾的比例相差很大。以来自水溶性钾的比例为最小．平均为3．1％;其次是非特殊吸附钾,平均为7．7％;再次是特殊吸附钾,平均为10．2％;来自非交换性钾的比例较大,平均为33．3％;来自矿物钾的比例最大,平均为45．7％。本研究区分了非交换性钾和矿物钾对植物吸收钾素的贡献,发现在耗竭条件下矿物钾是植物的重要钾源。     

钾在植物抗病性中的作用及机理的研究进展

本文对近些年来有关钾营养与植物病害关系的研究进行综述。主要从钾对酚代谢、碳、氮代谢及其活性氧代谢调控的角度,评述钾素营养提高植物抗病性的机理;同时讨论了钾肥的施用方式、钾肥形态、施用量、土壤本身钾素状况等共同影响钾素对植物的抗病性及其可能机理。最后提出这一研究领域存在的若干问题。     

Effects of Supplemental Calcium on Ion Accumulation,Transport and Plant Growth of Salt Sensitive Brassica Rapa Landrace

ABSTRACT

Effects of three supplemental calcium (Ca⁺⁺; 2.5, 5.0, and 10 mole m^?3) concentrations on ion accumulation, transport, selectivity, and plant growth of salt-sensitive species, Brassica rapa ‘Sani’ in saline medium were investigated. Supplemental Ca⁺⁺ in the presence of 125 mol m^?3 sodium chloride (NaCl) did not improve the dry weight and leaf area indicating no role played by Ca⁺⁺ in the alleviation of salinity induced growth inhibition. However, calcium chloride (CaCl₂) did significantly affect sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺), and Ca⁺⁺ contents of roots and shoots. The ion contents of shoots were significantly greater than those of roots per g dry weight, indicating ion transportation to shoots is greater than ion accumulation in roots. Use of CaCl₂ in 125 mol m^?3 NaCl reduced the Na⁺ content but increased K⁺ and Ca⁺⁺ contents in shoots. Sodium contents in shoots differed among the supplemental Ca⁺⁺ treatments indicating the role of CaCl₂ in Na⁺ ions transportation. Calcium content in shoots declined significantly in the control treatment (0 CaCl₂) but increased significantly in 10 mol m^?3 CaCl₂. The root also showed the effects of Ca⁺⁺ on the reduction of Na⁺ content and the increase of K⁺ and Ca⁺⁺ content. Unexpectedly, 5 mol m^?3 CaCl₂ induced the highest Na⁺ content in roots at 16 days after treatment. Supplemental CaCl₂ application influenced the K⁺ or Ca⁺⁺ selectivity over Na⁺ in two ways, ion accumulation at roots and transport to shoots. However, high CaCl₂ treatments allowed greater Ca⁺⁺ selectivity over Na⁺ than low CaCl₂. Likewise, high supplemental CaCl₂ showed higher K⁺ selectivity over Na⁺ than low CaCl₂. A marked increase in K⁺ versus Na⁺ selectivity for the transport process occurred at 10 mol m^?3 CaCl₂ treatments. The roots and shoots exhibited higher K⁺/Na⁺ and Ca⁺⁺/Na⁺ ratios in high CaCl₂ treatment than in low. The results are discussed in context to supplemental Ca⁺⁺ concentrations, ions accumulation, transportation and selectivity of salt sensitive Brassica rapa cultivar.     

Common reed absorbs K+ more selectively than rice against high Na+/K+ ratio in nutrient solution

The introduction of an active Na⁺ excretion system from salt-tolerant plants in salt-sensitive crop plants might necessitate enhancement of the robustness of K⁺ homeostasis and lead to improved plant growth under salt stress. To address this issue, we compared the acquisition and retention of K⁺ under excess Na⁺ concentrations in the common reed, which possesses excellent Na⁺ excretion ability, and low-Na⁺ excreting rice. Under excess Na⁺ concentrations, common reed maintained constant K⁺ content in all plant parts, whereas K⁺ content in rice decreased with increasing Na⁺ concentration. Preferential uptake of K⁺ against high Na⁺/K⁺ ratio in nutrient solution was approximately 10 times higher in common reed than in rice. The impact of excess Na⁺ on net K⁺ absorption rate of common reed was small. On the other hand, the net K⁺ absorption rate of rice was decreased by excess Na⁺ concentration. However, after the Na⁺ concentration in the nutrient solution was decreased from 50 to 1 mM, K⁺ absorption in rice recovered immediately. Thus, selectivity of K⁺ transporters or channels for K⁺ over Na⁺ in roots could be involved in the differences in K⁺ accumulation in rice and common reed.     

Evalution of Acid Deposition in Korea

This study was carried out to evaluate acid depositions and to understand their effect. Wet precipitation has been collected at twenty-four sites in Korea for one year of 1999. The ion concentrations such as H⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, NH₄ ⁺, Ca²⁺, Cl^?, NO₃ ^? and SO₄ ^2? were chemically analyzed and determined. Precipitation had wide range of pH(3.5～8.5), and volume-weighted average was 5.2. The contribution amounts of Cl^?, SO₄ ^2? and NO₃ ^? in anion were shown to be 54%, 32%, and 14%, respectively and those of Na⁺ and NH₄ ⁺ in cation were 32% and 25%. The ratios of Cl^? and Mg²⁺ to Na⁺ in precipitation were similar to those of seawater, which imply that great amount of Cl^? and Mg²⁺ in precipitation could be originated from seawater. The concentration of H⁺ is little related with SO₄ ^2?, NO₃ ^? and Cl^? ions, whereas nss^?SO₄ ^2? and NO₃ ^? are highly correlated with NH₄ ⁺, which could suggest that great amount of SO₄ ^2? and NO₃ ^? exist in the form of ammonium associated salt. The annual wet deposition amounts (g m^?2year^?1) of SO₄ ^2?, NO₃ ^?, Cl^?, H⁺, NH₄ ⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ were estimated as 0.88～4.89, 0.49～4.37, 0.30～9.80, 0.001～0.031, 0.06～2.15, 0.27～4.27, 0.10～3.81, 0.23～1.59 and 0.03～0.63.     

Effect of Calcium and Potassium Nutrition on Yield,Ion Content,and Salt Tolerance of Brassica campestris (rapa)

When plants encounter salinity, growth is reduced initially by water stress and subsequently by toxic levels of ions and by interference with nutrient acquisition and translocation. Calcium (Ca^{2 +}) in particular seems to have an important role in salt tolerance and there are reports of a beneficial effect of increasing Ca^{2 +} availability. Higher potassium (K⁺) concentrations in plants may also improve salinity tolerance as sodium (Na)⁺/K⁺ ratios have been shown to be important. Previous work with a range of Acacia species has suggested that endogenous seed Ca^{2 +} and K⁺ concentrations might influence salinity tolerance at germination, but this has not previously been tested with a single species. The objectives of this investigation were thus to determine whether (1) altered Ca^{2 +} and K⁺ nutrition of Brassica campestris (rapa) L. plants affects the yield and ion content of their seeds, and (2) seeds with different Ca^{2 +} and K⁺ contents differ in their salinity tolerance. Plants were grown in a growth room or greenhouse in (1) Gem® horticultural sand (2) Silvaperl® perlite and sand (2:1), or (3) Shamrock® Medium General Purpose Irish Sphagnum Peat and Vermiperl® vermiculite (1:1). Plants in each growth substrate were supplied with nutrient solutions based on a modified Hoagland's solution as a control, low Ca^{2 +} and low K⁺ solutions containing those elements at half the control strength, but all other mineral elements as far as possible at control strength, and high Ca^{2 +} and high K⁺ solutions containing those elements at double control strength but all other mineral elements, as far as possible, at control strength. An increase in substrate available Ca^{2 +} and K⁺ resulted in increased Ca^{2 +} and K⁺ concentration in seeds, respectively, and was accompanied by a reduction in seed K⁺ and Ca^{2 +}, respectively. The Ca^{2 +} and K⁺ concentrations of seeds affected their salinity tolerance. Increases in seed Ca^{2 +}, K⁺ or Ca^{2 +}+ K⁺ concentrations decreased salinity tolerance at germination. The results, especially in terms of Ca^{2 +} nutrition, contradict previous results of an increased salinity tolerance with increased Ca^{2 +} and/or K⁺ concentrations.     

Effect of nitrogen deposition on CH4 uptake in forest soils in Hokkaido,Japan

Abstract

It has been well documented by short-term artificial experiments that the CH⁴ uptake is inhibited by N input, especially NH^{4 p+}-N input. To investigate the effect of the natural N input by throughfall and other factors on the CH⁴ uptake in forest soils, we measured the CH⁴ uptake rates for 6 months during the snow-free period of the year and N input by throughfall throughout the year at 10 sites in Hokkaido, Japan, from 1997 to 2002. Water filled pore space (WFPS) and pH values in the soils varied widely among the sites (38-93% and 3.9-6.2, respectively). The rates of NH^{4 p+}-N and NH^{3 p-}-N inputs ranged from 1.3 to 6.9 kg N ha^p-1 year^p-1 and from 0.8 to 2.9 kg N ha^p-1 year^p-1, respectively. The NH^{4 p+}-N input was generally higher than the NH^{3 p-}-N input. Total N input by throughfall amounted to 2.3-9.4 kg N ha^p-1 year^p-1. The highest CH⁴ uptake rate occurred within the period from July to September (41-215 μg CH⁴ m^p-2 h^p-1) each year at most sites. CH⁴ uptake rate was relatively low (~50 μg CH⁴ M-2 h^p-1) at northern sites, while a high CH⁴ uptake rate was observed throughout the year 100 (? CH⁴ m^p-2 h^p-1) at southern sites. The mean CH⁴ uptake rates were significantly different among the sites. Cumulative CH⁴ uptake ranged from 1.4 to 6.6 kg CH⁴ ha^p-1 [184 d]^p-1 with a mean values of 3.22 ± 1.36 kg CH⁴ ha^p-1 [184 d]^p-1. Cumulative CH⁴ uptake increased with increasing temperature and decreased with an increase in precipitation (Rain), NH^{4 p+}-N input (TF^NH4) WFPS, soil total C (TC), and total N (TN). There was a quadratic relationship between the CH⁴ uptake and NH^{3 p-}-N input (TF^NO3), soil pH, and C / N ratio in soil. A regression equation was obtained as follows to predict the CH⁴ uptake in forest soils: Cumulative CH⁴ uptake = 0.47 / Rain + 0.38 / TF^NH4 + 0.34 / TC - 0.30 / TF^N03 (R ^p2 = 0.74, p = 0.0001). This equation indicates that atmospheric N input into forest soils is one of the main factors that control cumulative CH⁴ uptake with precipitation, total carbon content in soil in Hokkaido, Japan.     

日光温室番茄缺镁与土壤盐分组成及离子活度的关系

研究了石灰性土壤日光温室不同栽培年限及番茄不同程度缺镁的土壤水溶盐分中离子组成、比例及Mg2+、Ca2+、K+离子活度等的变化及关系.结果表明:随着栽培年限的增加,温室土壤水溶盐分中Ca2+、K+、NO3-含量显著增加;水溶性盐分中阳离子以Ca2+为主,栽培5 a后NO3-成为阴离子主要成分;土壤中NO3-含量的增加是导致土壤盐分累积的主要因素.随番茄缺镁程度的加剧,土壤水溶性盐中Ca2+、K+、NO3-、全盐量及Ca2+/Mg2+、K+/Mg2+摩尔比均呈增加趋势,番茄出现缺镁的土壤含盐量达到盐渍化水平.随着土壤盐分含量增加,Ca2+、Mg2+活度均呈指数下降趋势,番茄缺镁的土壤溶液中Mg2+和Ca2+活度显著低于不缺镁土壤,(K+)/(Mg2+)、(Ca2+)/(Mg2+)活度比显著高于不缺镁土壤,(K+)/(Mg2+)活度比随缺镁程度加剧达显著差异,番茄缺镁的土壤溶液(K+)/(Mg2+)活度比大于1.盐分累积使Mg2+活度大幅降低以及K+富集对植物吸收Mg2+的拮抗作用是石灰性土壤上番茄缺镁的主要诱因.     

Influence of ammonium,nitrate, and chloride on solution pH and ion uptake by ageratum and salvia in hydroponic culture

The influence of nitrogen (N) forms and chloride (Cl) on solution pH and ion uptake in the hydroponic culture of Ageratum houstonianum [ammonium (NH₄ ⁺)‐tolerant] and Salvia splendens (NH₄ ⁺‐sensitive) for a period of 216 hours was investigated. The pH of the hydroponic solution (initially 6.50) containing either NH₄ ⁺ or NH₄ ⁺+nitrate (NO₃ ^‐) was drastically lowered (3.08), whereas that of the same solution containing NO₃ ^‐ was raised (7.74). Solution pH changed more by ageratum than by salvia. The solution Cl^‐ concentration did not influence pH significantly. However, addition of Cl^‐ in the solution lowered transpiration rate in both NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^‐ treatments. Total N uptake was the greatest in the NH₄ ⁺ + NO₃ ^‐ treatment and the lowest in the NO₃ ^‐treatment. In the NH₄ ⁺ + NO₃ ^‐ treatment, NO₃ ^‐ uptake was suppressed by NH₄ ⁺ (to about 50%), while NH₄ ⁺ uptake was not affected by NO₃ ^‐. The rate of Cl^‐ uptake was the lowest in the NH₄ ⁺ treatment, but was similar in the NH₄ ⁺ + NO₃ ^‐ and NO₃ ^‐ treatments. Uptake of potassium (K⁺), dihydrogen phosphate (H₂PO₄ ^‐), sulfate (SO₄ ^‐2), manganese (Mn⁺²), and zinc (Zn⁺²) was significantly enhanced in the NH₄ ⁺ treatment. The uptake rate of calcium (Ca⁺²) and magnesium (Mg⁺²) was the highest in the NO₃ ^‐ treatment. Absorption of copper (Cu⁺²) and boron (B) was not affected by N source. Ion uptake was more stable in the solution containing both NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^‐ than in the solution containing either NH₄ ⁺ or NO₃ ^‐. The uptake rate of total N, NH₄ ⁺, NO₃ ^‐, Mn⁺², Cu⁺², and Zn⁺² was higher, whereas that of Cl^‐ and molybdenum (Mo) was lower in ageratum than in salvia. Amounts of total anion (TA) and total cation (TC) absorbed, the sum of TC and TA, and the difference between TC and TA (TC‐TA) were affected by N source, Cl^‐ level, and their interactions. The NO₃ treatment, as compared to the NH₄ ⁺ or the NH₄ ⁺ + NO₃ ^‐treatment, reduced total cation and anion uptake while increasing TC‐TA, especially in the absence of Cl^‐. Plant tissue ion contents were also affected by N source and Cl^‐ level.     

Trends in the Chemistry of Acidified Bohemian Lakes from 1984 to 1995: I. Major Solutes

Temporal changes in major solute concentrations in six Czech Republic lakes were monitored during the period 1984–1995. Four chronically-acidic lakes had decreasing concentrations of strong-acid anions (C_SA = SO₄ ^2- + NO^{3 -} + Cl^-), at rates of 3.0 to 9.0 μeq L^-1 yr^-1. Decreases in SO₄ ^2-, NO₃ ^-, and Cl^- (at rates up to 5.1 μeq L^-1 yr^-1, 3.2 μeq L^-1 yr^-1, and 0.6 μeq L^-1 yr^-1, respectively) occurred. The response to the decrease in deposition of S was rapid and annual decline of SO₄ ^2- in lake water was directly proportional to SO₄ ^2- concentrations in the acidified lakes. Changes in NO₃ ^- concentrations were modified by biological consumption within the lakes. The decline in C^SA was accompanied in the four most acidic lakes by decreases in Al_T, increases in pH at rates of 0.011 to 0.016 pH yr^{- 1}, and decreases of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ (but not Na⁺) in three lakes. The acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) increased significantly in all six lakes. Increases in base cation concentrations (CB = Ca²⁺ + Na⁺ + Mg²⁺ + K⁺) were the principal contributing factor to ANC increases in the two lakes with positive ANC, whereas decrease in C_SA was the major factor in ANC increases in the four chronically-acidic lakes. The continued chemical recovery of these lakes depends on the uncertain trends in N deposition, the cycling of N in the lakes and their catchments, and the magnitude of the future decrease in S deposition.     

Growth and cocoon production by the earthworm Metaphire houletti (Oligochaeta) in different food sources

 Quantitative observations on the biology of Metaphire houletti were made in cow and horse manure and oak litter in laboratory conditions over a period of 240 days. The study revealed that copulation is not a prerequisite for production of viable cocoons, indicating that M. houletti may be parthenogenetic. The mean growth rate was 2.86 mg worm^–1 day^–1 reaching sexual maturity at 45 days and producing 0.015 cocoons worm^–1 day^–1 (kept singly) and 2.82 mg worm^–1 day^–1, reaching sexual maturity at 45 days and producing 0.03 cocoons worm^–1 day^–1 (kept in batches) in cow manure; 4.08 mg worm^–1 day^–1, reaching sexual maturity at 46 days and producing 0.02 cocoons worm^–1 day^–1 (kept singly) and 2.97 mg worm^–1 day^–1, reaching sexual maturity at 45 days and producing 0.016 cocoons worm^–1 day^–1 (kept in batches) in horse manure; 3.73 mg worm^–1 day^–1 reaching sexual maturity at 45 day and producing 0.023 cocoons worm^–1 day^–1 (kept singly) and 2.73 mg worm^–1 day^–1, reaching sexual maturity at 47 days and producing 0.028 cocoons worm^–1 day^–1 (kept in batches) in oak litter. After an incubation period of 31.9±1.2 days 82% of the cocoons hatched with a mean of 1.12±0.06 hatchlings per cocoon. The earthworms reared in batches did not demonstrate any advantage over those reared singly in all substrates. Higher growth rates were observed in earthworms raised singly than those raised in batches in all substrates. Received: 30 April 1998     

High K+ supply avoids Na+ toxicity and improves photosynthesis by allowing favorable K+ : Na+ ratios through the inhibition of Na+ uptake and transport to the shoots of Jatropha curcas plants

This study assessed the relationships between external K⁺ supply and K⁺ : Na⁺ ratios associated with Na⁺ toxicity in Jatropha curcas. Plants were exposed to increasing external K⁺ concentrations (6.25, 12.5, 25, 37.5, and 50 mM), combined with 50 mM NaCl in a nutrient solution. Photosynthesis progressively increased as the external K⁺ : Na⁺ ratios increased up to 0.75. The increase of photosynthesis and plant dry matter correlated positively with K⁺ : Na⁺ in xylem and leaves. The transport rates of K⁺ and Na⁺ from roots to xylem and leaves were inversely correlated. These ions presented an antagonistic pattern of accumulation in all organs. Maximum rates of photosynthesis and plant growth occurred with leaf K⁺ : Na⁺ ratios that ranged from 1.0 to 2.0, indicating that this parameter in leaves might be a good indicator for a favorable K⁺ homeostasis under salinity conditions. The higher K⁺ affinity and selectivity compared with Na⁺ in all organs associated with higher xylem flux and transport to shoots are essential for maintaining adequate K⁺ : Na⁺ ratios at the whole‐plant level. These characteristics, combined with adequate K⁺ concentrations, allow J. curcas to sustain high rates of photosynthesis and growth even under toxic NaCl levels.