Phytoextraction of Cd and Zn with Thlaspi caerulescens in field trials

Abstract. Phytoextraction is the remediation of heavy metal contaminated soils using plants that take up metals. Hyperaccumulating plants such as Thlaspi caerulescens are often studied for their possible use for decontamination of Cd and Zn rich soils, but few field trials have been reported, although they are necessary to validate the results of hydroponic and pot studies. This article reports field data for T . caerulescens grown on a calcareous and an acidic soil, both contaminated 20 years ago by either atmospheric depositions or septic-tank wastes. Accelerated cropping using transplants grown three times in eight months was compared to Thlaspi sown twice during the same period. Both were followed by one crop of sown Thlaspi . High Cd and Zn concentrations in the plant shoots compensated for the low biomass production. Annual metal exports with transplanted Thlaspi were 130 g Cd ha⁻¹ and 3.7 kg Zn ha⁻¹ on the calcareous soil and 540 g Cd ha⁻¹ and 20 kg Zn ha⁻¹ on the acidic soil. We concluded that within the framework of the Swiss legislation, remediation of Cd-contaminated soils could be achieved within less than 10 years with one crop of Thlaspi per year, but differences in soil properties could affect the rate of phytoextraction significantly. Total Zn content in both soils was too high to be remediated by T . caerulescens in a realistic time span. Thlaspi did not decrease the NaNO₃-extractable fraction of Cd or Zn in either of the soils.     

Chemical analysis of Teucrium species (Lamiaceae) growing on serpentine soils in Bulgaria

Trace elemental concentrations (Fe, Ni, Mn, Cr, Co, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, and As) in aerial biomass (stems, leaves, and flowers) of the medicinal plants Teucrium chamaedrys, T. montanum, and T. polium growing on serpentine soils in Bulgaria were examined in relation to the total element contents in their respective rhizospheric soils. The objectives of the study were to evaluate: (1) elemental concentrations in plant tissues and associated soil samples together with the plants ability to tolerate/accumulate metal concentrations; (2) correlations between total metal concentrations in plants and their rhizospheric soils. Metal concentrations varied across species and sites. Their levels in plant tissues from nonserpentine sites were always lower compared to those from serpentine ones. The highest concentrations for Fe, Ni, Mn, Cr, As, Cu, and Pb were found in T. polium. Positive correlation coefficients were established between Ni, Cr, Fe, Co, and Cu in plants and Ca in the soil. None of the species tested hyperaccumulated metals although the metal concentration in some of them exceeded the range naturally found in plants. The Teucrium species can be considered as “excluders”, containing relatively low metal concentrations in their aerial parts (stems, leaves, and flowers) even in cases of high elemental concentrations in the rhizospheric soil. In all three medicinal plants, metal concentrations for toxic elements were above the permissible limits for pharmaceutical purposes. Therefore, plants found on serpentine bedrock are not recommended to be collected for pharmaceutical purposes.     

Chemical changes in the rhizosphere of metal hyperaccumulator and excluder Thlaspi species

Rhizosphere processes involved in hyperaccumulation and exclusion of metals are still largely unknown. Therefore, we conducted a rhizobag experiment on contaminated and non‐contaminated soils to investigate the chemical changes in the rhizosphere of the hyperaccumulators Thlaspi goesingense and T. caerulescens, and the metal‐excluder T. arvense. Root growth was restricted to the rhizobags separated by a nylon membrane (7 μm \x 25 μm mesh size) from surrounding bulk soil. Depletion of labile Zn in rhizosphere could not explain the amount of metals accumulated in T. caerulescens, whereas the difference in EDTA‐extractable Zn even exceeded total plant uptake. Substantially increased DOC in T. arvense rhizosphere indicates alleviation of phytotoxicity by formation of metal‐organic complexes. Hyperaccumulation and depletion of labile Zn in the rhizosphere was observed for T. goesingense grown on contaminated soil. On non‐contaminated soil, Zn was accumulated but labile Zn in rhizosphere was not changed. Nickel present in background concentrations in both soils was accumulated by T. goesingense only when grown on non‐contaminated soil. In contrast, labile Ni in the rhizosphere was increased in both soils, suggesting a general tendency of Ni mobilization by T. goesingense.     

The Effects of Copper and Lead on Growth and Zinc Accumulation of Thlaspi Caerulescens J. and C. Presl: Implications for Phytoremediation of Contaminated Soils

Thlaspi caerulescens J. and C. Presl is a Zn-hyperaccumulatingplant which has aroused considerable interest with respect to its possible use for phytoremediation of Zn-contaminated soils. In this work, a British population of T. caerulescens, from a soil which was found to have relatively high concentrations of water-extractable Cu (0.22 mg L^-1), Pb (0.99 mg L^-1) and Zn (6.49 mg L^-1), was studied. Its ability to grow and accumulate Zn from hydroponic nutrient solution in the presence of elevated concentrations of Cu and/or Pb was investigated. The chosen concentrations of Cu, Pb and Zn were based on reported water-soluble concentrations of these heavy metals in contaminated soils. When supplied with 32.7 mg L^-1 Zn, plants accumulated 19 780 mg kg^-1 Zn in their shoot dry matter. This concentration declined by 9.3, 87 and 84% respectively when 5.0 mg L^-1 Pb, 1.0 mg L^-1 Cu or 2.0 mg L^-1 Cu were included in the nutrient solution. Despite the apparent adaptation of this population of T. caerulescens to a Zn/Pb/Cu-contaminated soil, these Cu treatments strongly inhibited growth, but the Pb treatment did not affect growth significantly.     

Translocation and accumulation of heavy metals in Ocimum basilicum L. plants grown in a mining-contaminated soil

Purpose

The evaluation of the ecotoxicity effects of some heavy metals on the plant growth and metal accumulation in Ocimum basilicum L. cultivated on unpolluted and polluted soils represented the objective of the present study.

Materials and methods

The basil aromatic herb was evaluated in a laboratory experiment using soil contaminated with Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn, similar to the one from a mining area. The soils and different organs of the basil plants were analyzed, the total contents of the added elements being determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The ability of basil plants to accumulate metals from soil and to translocate them in their organs was evaluated by transfer coefficient, translocation factor, enrichment factor, and geo-accumulation index determinations.

Results and discussion

The basil plants grown in the metal-polluted soil showed stimulation effects comparing with the plants from the control soil. At the end of the exposure period, the plants had a visible increase of biomass and presented inflorescences and the leaves’ green pigment was intensified. The metals gathered differently in plant organs: Cd, Co, Cr, and Pb were accumulated in roots, while Cu, Ni, and Zn in flowers. Cr and Pb exceeded the toxic levels in roots. Also, the heavy metal intake depends on the plant development stages; thus, Cd, Cr, and Pb were accumulated more in mature plant leaves. The Cd and Pb contents were higher than the World Health Organization and European Commission permissible limits.

Conclusions

The experimental results revealed that the basil plants exposed to a mixture of heavy metals have the potential to reduce the metal mobility from soil to plants. Translocation process from roots to flowers and to leaves was observed for Cu, Ni, and Zn, emphasizing a competition between metals. The calculated bioaccumulation factors were insignificant, but Cd and Pb concentrations exceeded the legal limits in the mature plants, being restricted for human or animal consumption.

     

Chemical extractability and availability of heavy metals after seven years application of organic wastes to a citrus soil

Abstract. The chemical extractability of heavy metals introduced into the soil during 7 years application of sewage sludge, composted municipal solid waste and sheep manure, and their availability to citrus plants were studied. The total content of metals in the soil (0-20 cm)was increased by the use of sludges and compost, but only the Ni content in the saturation extracts of soil was significantly increased. Total Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn were sequentially fractionated into water-soluble plus exchangeable, organically bound, carbonate-associated, and residual fractions. Most of the heavy metals were present in carbonate and residual fractions, although substantial amounts of water-soluble plus exchangeable Cd, and organically bound Cu and Ni were found. No significant increases in the metal contents in leaves and orange fruits were observed, with the exception of Pb in leaves. Several statistically significant correlations between metal content in plants, metal content in soil fractions, and chemical characteristics of soil were also found.     

不同水分状况下施锌对玉米生长和锌吸收的影响

选择潮土(砂壤)和土(粘壤)两种质地不同的土壤,进行盆栽试验,研究不同土壤水分条件下施锌对玉米生长和锌吸收的影响。结果表明,施锌显著增加了玉米植株根、茎、叶以及整株干物质重;缺锌条件下玉米植株根冠比、根叶比和根茎比趋向增大。施锌显著提高了玉米植株各器官中锌的浓度和吸收量,并明显促进锌向地上部运移。干旱胁迫抑制了玉米植株生长,根冠比、根茎比、根叶比增大;随着土壤水分供应增加,植株生长加快,各器官生物量以茎和叶增加大于根。水分胁迫下,在潮土上玉米叶片中锌浓度上升;在土上叶片中锌浓度下降。但增施锌后,根和茎锌浓度增加幅度较大,叶片增加幅度较小;施锌和水分胁迫对根和茎锌浓度的交互作用极显著。水分胁迫下,玉米植株对锌的吸收总量减少。水分胁迫和锌肥施用对玉米叶片、茎锌吸收量的交互作用十分显著,但对根锌吸收量的交互影响不显著。     

不同高粱种质对污染土壤中重金属吸收的研究

利用重金属含量较高的污水污染土壤,以未污染土壤作对照,种植8个甜高粱品种、2个饲用高粱品种和1个粒用高粱品种,检测8种重金属在高粱植物体内不同器官的含量,以研究不同高粱种质对重金属的吸收特性。结果表明:甜高粱对汞(Hg)、镉(Cd)、锰(Mn)和锌(Zn)的吸收在两种土壤间差异显著,对钴(Co)、铬(Cr)、铅(Pb)和铜(Cu)的吸收差异不显著。Mn在甜高粱体内含量表现为未污染土壤高于污染土壤;而Zn含量在不同器官之间存在差异,未污染土壤叶中含量远高于穗,穗中含量远高于茎和根。不同重金属在甜高粱体内的储存部位不同,污染土壤上Hg、Cd、Co、Cr和Zn在根中积累量较高,Cu、Mn和Pb在穗中的积累量较高。甜高粱、饲用高粱和粒用高粱对重金属的吸收、运输及储存在品种之间差异较大,同一品种对不同重金属的吸收也存在差异。饲用高粱表现为叶部对Cr和Zn的储存量较高,而粒用高粱‘晋中0823’则显示了茎对多种重金属的储存能力。高粱根对土壤中重金属的富集系数较高,为0.02(Pb)~0.23(Cd),转移系数变幅为0.21(Co)~3.42(Pb)。对同一种重金属的吸收量品种间差异较大,甜高粱‘西蒙’根对Co、Cr、Cu、Mn、Pb和Zn具有高富集系数,粒用高粱‘晋中0823’茎对Hg、Cd、Mn、Pb和Zn富集系数较高。高粱对重金属的吸收能力与转移能力不同步,甜高粱‘绿能1号’具有对多种重金属的高转移能力,粒用高粱‘晋中0823’只对Zn有较高的转移能力。因此本文认为甜高粱对不同重金属的吸收和转移有选择性。对Zn吸收并转移到地上部后,首先储存在叶和穗中,当吸收量足够大时,茎和根也成为储存器官;对Mn的吸收与其他重金属的吸收存在竞争作用,Hg吸收后很少向地上部转移;而对Cu、Mn和Pb吸收后在穗部的储存量较大。饲用高粱与甜高粱相比对重金属的吸收未显示明显的不同,甜高粱‘西蒙’根对多种重金属具有强储存能力,而粒用高粱‘晋中0823’的茎秆显示了比甜高粱更强的储存能力,甜高粱‘绿能1号’对多种重金属的转移能力较强。所以,选择富集和转移能力均强的高粱品种能更有效地吸收土壤中的重金属,达到修复污染土壤的目的。     

Effect of Cd,Ni, Pb and Zn on growth and chemical composition of onion and fenugreek

Abstract

Onion (Allium cepa) and fenugreek (Trigonella poenum‐graceum) growth was measured in glasshouse on a slightly alkaline clay‐loam soil from Northern India. Cadmium, Ni, Pb and Zn were applied at the rate of 0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of soil. The fresh and dry weights of onion and fenugreek were drastically reduced even at the 50 mg/kg soil addition of Cd and decreased further at higher applied levels. There was a slight decrease in the yield of both of the vegetables at 50 mg Ni/kg soil but at 100 mg Ni/kg soil and above yield decrease was significant. No growth was observed at 400 mg Ni/kg soil. The application of 50 mg Zn/kg soil slightly increased the yield of both of the vegetables, but the yield decreased at higher levels of applied Zn and more so for fenugreek. The threshold concentration, toxicity index and loading rate to produce ten percent yield reduction were also calculated. These values suggested that the toxicity of heavy metals varied with crop species. The concentrations of the elements in onion bulb and fenugreek root and leaves increased linearally with increasing levels of applied elements. The uptake of Zn was highest, followed by Cd, Ni and then Pb. The roots accumulated higher amounts of these elements than the leaves. Tissue concentrations of Cd, Ni, Pb and Zn associated with ten percent yield reduction for onion were 6, 3.2, 8 and 75 ppm, respectively, and for fenugreek, the concentrations were 1.5, 7.8, 11.5 and 54.5 ppm, respectively. In general, phytotoxicities were found to be in the order: Cd > Ni > Pb > Zn. The DTPA extractable elements in soil, after the harvest of crops, increased with increasing levels of applied elements in soil.     

Wirkung hoher Phosphatdüngung auf die Wachstumsrate,den Zinkgehalt und das P/Zn-Verhältnis in Weinreben (Vitis vinifera)

Effect of high phosphate fertilization on growth rate, zinc content and P/Zn ratio in grapevines (Vitis vinifera) In a 2 years' pot experiment with a soil low in available Zn, high doses of phosphate fertilizer induced Zn deficiency in grapevines (var. ?Riesling”? on 5 C root stock). This negative effect of phosphate fertilization could almost be prevented by simultaneous application of Zn to the soil. The negative effect of high phosphate fertilization on the Zn status of the soil was well reflected in both the content of available Zn as well as in the diffusion rate of Zn (⁶⁵Zn) in the soil. In young leaves of grapevines, Zn deficiency can be expected at Zn contents lower than 20 μg/g DM and P/Zn ratios larger than 170. These values, however, cannot be generalized as external factors modify them considerably. This latter holds true for the P/Zn ratio in particular. The most obvious Zn deficiency symptom was restricted elongation of the shoot due to shorter internodes. Typical for severe Zn deficiency were smaller leaves with intervenal chlorosis or even necrosis and the disappearance of the normally deeply lobed shape of the leaf blade. As a result of the growth inhibition of the shoot apex, growth of axillary buds had been enhanced and this led to a bushy shape of the Zn-deficient plants.     

Accumulation mechanisms and heavy metal tolerance of a nickel hyperaccumulator

Alyssum bertoionii Desv., a crucifer which grows only in Tuscany on serpentine soil, is characterized by high Ni concentration in its leaves and a high tolerance to this element. In this research, the Co and Zn tolerance of A. bertolonii has been tested and compared with that of Ni. Although the Zn concentration in the serpentine soil on which the plant grows is lower than that of Co, root growth showed no significant difference for these two elements. In excised roots, on the other hand, Co and Zn compete with Ni uptake and accumulation. Seedlings do not show any inhibition in the translocation of these three elements. They are all rapidly carried to and accumulate in the shoots, but the uptake and traslocation of Zn does not show the saturation trend found for Ni and Co. The same gel filtration fractions contain the three elements in association with malic acid, involved in Ni tolerance.     

Extractors for barium,cadmium, copper,nickel, and zinc in tropical soils

ABSTRACT

The accumulation of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the soil can pose risks to human health, and precise risk assessment dealing with the production and consumption of plants is required. The 0.43 M of nitric acid (HNO?) solution was suggested by the International Organization for Standardization for reactive fraction of PTEs in the soil. The efficiency of some extractors was evaluated in tropical soils. Contents of barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) were extracted in accordance with the methods of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 3051A, Aqua Regia, Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), Mehlich-1, Mehlich-3, 0.43 M HNO? and 0.01 M of calcium chloride (CaCl?), and these contents correlated with the contents of PTEs in roots, shoots, and fruits of vegetables. Mehlich-3 had the highest correlation with Ni and Zn contents extracted by the plants. Contents extracted with 0.43 M HNO? had high correlation with the amounts extracted by DTPA and Mehlich-3, as well as with the amounts of PTEs accumulated by plants.     

Effects of Nickel on Growth and Composition of Metal Micronutrients in Barley Plants Grown in Nutrient Solution

Abstract

A hydroponic experiment was conducted in a phytotron at pH 5.5 to study the effects of nickel (Ni) on the growth and composition of metal micronutrients, such as copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn), of barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Minorimugi). Four Ni treatments were conducted (0, 1.0, 10, and 100 μM) for 14 d. Plants grown in 100 μM Ni showed typical visual symptoms of Ni toxicity such as chlorosis, necrosis of leaves, and browning of the root system, while other plants were free from any symptoms. Dry weights were the highest in plants grown in 1.0 μM Ni, with a corresponding increase in the chlorophyll index of the plants, suggesting that 1.0～10 μM Ni needs to be added to the nutrient solution for optimum growth of barley plants. The increase of Ni in the nutrient solutions increased the concentrations of Cu and Fe in roots, while a decrease was observed in shoots. The concentrations of Mn and Zn in shoots and roots of plants decreased with increasing Ni supply in the nutrient solution. Shoot concentrations of Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn in plants grown at 100 μ M Ni were below the critical levels for deficiency. Plants grown at 1.0 μ M Ni accumulated higher amounts of Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn, indicating that nutrient accumulation in plants was more influenced by dry weights than by nutrient concentrations. The translocation of Cu and Fe from roots to shoots was repressed, while that of Mn and Zn was not repressed with increasing Ni concentration in the nutrient solution.     

Effect of aerotechnogenic emissions on the content of heavy metals in herbaceous plants of the Lower Don region

The effect of soil properties and distance from the source of technogenic emission on the input of Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu, Mn, Cr, and Ni into daisy family plants (Asteraceae) has been studied. It has been found that the high level of anthropogenic load related to the atmospheric emissions from the Novocherkassk power plant (NPP) favors the accumulation of heavy metals (HMs) in herbaceous plants. Contamination with Pb, Cd, Cr, and Ni is revealed in plants growing near the NPP. The main factors affecting the distribution of HMs in the above- and underground organs of plants include individual physiological features of plant species controlling the barrier functions of different plant organs. Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., Artemisia austriaca Pall. ex. Wild. Jack., and Tanacetum vulgare L. are accumulators of HMs. The resistance of herbaceous plants to pollution has been determined from the acropetal coefficient and actual biogeochemical mobility of HMs. Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. is most resistant to contamination with Mn; Achillea nobilis L. is most resistant to Pb, Ni, and Cd; Cichorium intybus L. is most resistant to Zn and Cu.     

凉山烟区主要气候因素与烤烟质量特点分析

本文分析了四川省凉山烟区适宜种植烤烟的基本条件、主要气候因素及所产烟叶的质量特点，结果表明：（1）该烟区具有无霜期长、≥10℃积温高，日均温≥20℃持续天数多，0—60cm土壤含氯量较低等特点，具备了生产优质烟叶的基本条件。（2）凉山烟区烟叶大田生长期平均温度在20℃左右，日照时数均在800h以上，中、南部日照百分率较高，降雨充沛，雨量分布合理，对烤烟生长发育十分有利。（3）凉山烟区烟叶整体上外观品质较优，烟碱、总氮含量适宜，中、上部叶还原糖含量稍高，中部叶氮碱比、糖碱比基本协调，清香型风格突出，香气质好量足、配伍性好，利用价值较高。     

Soil‐plant relationships,micronutrient contents,and cardenolide production in natural populations of Digitalis obscura

The production of secondary metabolites by plants growing in natural populations is conditioned by environmental factors. In the present study, we have investigated the relationships among soil properties, micronutrients in soils and plants, and cardenolide production from wild Digitalis obscura (Scrophulariaceae) populations. Young and mature leaves and soil samples were collected in ten different populations, corresponding to three Mediterranean bioclimatic belts (Thermo‐, Meso‐, and Supramediterranean belts). Soil (total and EDTA‐extractable) and leaf micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu), and leaf cardenolide accumulation have been determined. Significant negative correlations were observed between Fe, Mn or Zn concentration in leaves and soil pH, as well as between Fe or Mn in leaves and carbonate content of soils. Only EDTA‐extractable Mn was significantly correlated with Mn content in the plants. With regard to cardenolide content in leaves, this parameter was negatively correlated with Zn_leaf in young leaves and with Mn_leaf in old leaves. Positively correlated, however, were Fe and cardenolide content in young leaves. The influence of environmental conditions and leaf micronutrient contents on cardenolide accumulation is discussed.     

Concentration Changes of Cd, Ni and Zn in Sugarcane Cultivated Soils

In the southwest of Iran over 130,000 ha of land are under sugarcane (Saccarum officinarum). In these sugarcane fields, about 400 kg ha^?1 diamonium phosphate (DAP) and 400 kg ha^?1 urea are applied annually. Four sugarcane growing sites were selected for this study: Haft-tapeh, Karoon, Shoeibieh and Ghazali with cultivation histories of 36, 20, 2 and 1 years, respectively. For each area, soil samples (0–30 cm) were taken from a transect of uncultivated, and both furrows and ridges of cultivated land. Electrical conductivity (EC), pH, clay, and calcium carbonate and organic carbon (OC) contents, Cl, Cd, Ni and Zn of 101 soil samples were measured. Cadmium profile distribution to a soil depth of 300 cm was determined, and the heavy metal concentrations in sugarcane and the associated soil samples of the three sugarcane sites were measured. The Cd and Ni contents among the sugarcane sites differed where Cd was related to clay content and Ni was related to OC content of soils. Cadmium content in sugarcane cultivated soil was lower compared to uncultivated soil even after years of application of P fertilizers. Nickel and Cd contents of sugarcane were much higher than levels in top soils but there was no significant relationship between Cd or Ni contents of sugarcane and soil chemical properties. The Zn content of soils decreased as either EC or Cl concentration of soils increased. There were no significant differences in Zn contents between different sugarcane sites and also between cultivated and uncultivated soils. Results also indicated that Cd was accumulated in bagasse and Ni was primarily accumulated in bagasse and molasses, but these heavy metals of white sugar were lower than the detectable values.     

Phyllospheric microbial populations of ragweed (Ambrosia Elatior L.) plant grown in toxic metal-contaminated areas

During growing and flowering seasons for five years, comparisons were made between upper and lower leaf surfaces microflora of ragweed plants grown in three areas: a relatively non-contaminated site, a communal landfill, and a complex contaminated with heavy metals. Results indicated that phyllospheric microbial communities were qualitatively and quantitatively related to metal content in plant leaf, leaf surfaces and metal contaminated ecosystems where the plants grown. Results showed that there was a high positive correlation between phyllospheric microbial population densities and Cd, Ni, and Zn content in ragweed leaves, while it was low in presence of Cu. Comparatively, the correlation was at its highest in the case of aerobic heterotrophic bacterial population densities and more than yeasts and filamentous fungi communities. The most common diversities of metal resistant microorganisms were related to Pantoea agglomerans, Pseudomonas savastanoi, P. putida, Bacillus cereus, Corynebacterium striatum, Cryptococcus and Alternaria.     

Nickel phytotoxicity in relationship to soil ph manipulation and chelating agents

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to ascertain effects of some edaphic factors on the uptake and influence of Ni on plant growth sinee Ni is a common trace element contaminant as well as an important component of serpentine soils. Corn (Zea mays L. inbred Ys₁/Ys₁) was rown in Yolo loam soil amended to give soil pH values of 4.2, 5.6, 7.5, and 8.2. A level of 100 μg Ni/g soil was not toxic to the corn. Shoot concentrations of Ni increased as soil pH decreased for both application rates of Ni. A level of 250 μg Ni/g soil decreased yields more at soil pH below 7 than above 7. Iron, Zn, and Mn levels in shoots did not appear to be directly related to the Ni applications although Fe levels tended to increase as a result of smaller plant size. PI54619–5–1 soybeans (Glycine max L. ) were grown in soil at two different pH values (with and without CaCO₃) and with and without a level of 1000 μg Ni/g added as the sulfate and thoroughly mixed with the soil and equilibrated for 1 month prior to transplanting the soybeans with and without application of a chelating agent, DTPA (diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid), commonly used to correct Fe deficiency in plants. Plants were killed in the soil of pH 6.2 when the 1000 μg Ni/g soil was added. The pH 7.2 soil decreased the toxicity of Ni. The DTPA had little effect on yields, but increased the amount of Ni in plants. Nickel decreased the Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn concentrations of the plants. Stems contained less Ni than did leaves. In another experiment, EDTA (ethylenediamine tetraacetate) greatly increased Ni concentrations in bush beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L. C.V. Improved Tendergreen) and in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.C.V. Atlas 57) grown in Yolo loam soil, and simultaneously increased Fe concentrations. Lime (CaCO₃ or MgCO₃) decreased toxicity of Ni in bush beans. DTPA increased Ni transport in bush beans and increased the ratio of Ni in leaves to that in stems at soil pH 7.5 and 8.2, but not at pH 4.0 and 5.8.     

Glyphosate effects on phenolic metabolism of nodulated soybean (Glycine max L. merr.).

Glyphosate is a herbicide that blocks the shikimic acid pathway. Three Bradyrhizobium japonicum strains with different sensitivities to glyphosate were used to test the effect of this herbicide on the phenolic metabolism of nodulated soybeans and on the bacteroid nitrogenase activity. Glyphosate caused an inhibition in the bacteroid nitrogenase activity that was related with the sensitivity of the nodule-forming strains. Both leaves and nodules accumulated huge amounts of shikimate and phenolic acids (mainly protocatechuic acid), indicating that the herbicide was translocated to the nodule and disturbed phenolic metabolism. However, this accumulation was not clearly related to the sensitivity of the different strains. Bacteroids from control plants were incubated with the same concentration of shikimate, and phenolic acid accumulated in glyphosate-treated plants. Despite the high levels found in nodules, they were not responsible for the decrease of the nitrogenase activity. Glyphosate by itself caused a small inhibition of the bacteroid nitrogenase activity.