Effect of cadmium on the chemical composition of xylem exudate from oilseed rape plants (Brassica napus L.)

Abstract

Phytoremediation is a good technique for removing cadmium (Cd) from farmland soils. To remove Cd from these soils effectively, it is necessary for Cd ions to be transported to the shoot organs for later harvest. However, the mechanism of Cd translocation to shoot organs via xylem vessels has not yet been elucidated. We selected oilseed rape plants (Brassica napus L.) and established a method to collect xylem exudates from these plants. After 3 days of Cd treatment (10 µmol L^?1 and 30 µmol L^?1) the Cd concentrations in the xylem exudates were approximately 6.5 µmol L^?1 and 16 µmol L^?1, respectively. The detection of Cd in the xylem exudate indicated that Cd was moving to shoot organs via xylem vessels. The effect of these Cd treatments on the amino acid, organic acid and protein composition of xylem exudates from oilseed rape plants was investigated. The level of amino acids and organic acids detected was enough to bind Cd transported via the xylem. Sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis revealed that proteins with molecular weights of 36 kDa and 45 kDa clearly increased in the exudates with Cd treatment. The possibility that these compounds are binding Cd in the xylem exudates was discussed.     

Calcium Effects on Acetic Acid Toxicity in Rice

Recent soil‐management practices such as no‐tillage and minimal tillage, when applied to the irrigated rice crop, promote changes in soil composition as a result of anaerobic degradation of organic matter. Several short‐chain organic acids are formed, such as acetic acid. The objective of this work was to determine the effect of calcium (Ca) on plant development under stress by acetic acid toxicity. The experiment was conducted in hydroponics by testing different Ca (0.2, 1.0, and 5.0 mmol L^?1) and acetic acid (0 and 2.5 mmol L^?1) concentrations. The variables evaluated were the root system morphological parameters (total length, radius, area, dry‐matter weight, and main root growth), shoot parameters (shoot dry matter, plant height), and concentration and total accumulated nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), Ca, and magnesium (Mg) in the plants. The growth of the root system and the shoots of rice plants were not affected by the addition of Ca to the treatments containing acetic acid.     

Physiological and mineralogical properties of arsenic-induced chlorosis in rice seedlings grown hydroponically

Abstract

A hydroponic experiment was conducted to observe the effect of arsenic (As) on a number of physiological and mineralogical properties of rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Akihikari) seedlings. Seedlings were treated with 0, 6.7, 13.4 and 26.8 µmol L^?1 As (0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg As L^?1) for 14 days in a greenhouse. Shoot dry matter yield decreased by 23, 56 and 64%; however, the values for roots were 15, 35 and 42% for the 6.7, 13.4 and 26.8 µmol L^?1 As treatments, respectively. Shoot height decreased by 11, 35 and 43%, while that of the roots decreased by 6, 11 and 33%, respectively. These results indicated that the shoot was more sensitive to As than the root in rice. Leaf number and width of leaf blade also decreased with As toxicity. Arsenic toxicity induced chlorosis symptoms in the youngest leaves of rice seedlings by decreasing chlorophyll content. Concentrations and accumulations of K, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu decreased significantly in shoots in the 26.8 µmol L^?1 As treatment. However, the concentration of P increased in shoots at 6.7 and 13.4 µmol L^?1 As levels, indicating a cooperative rather than antagonistic relationship. Arsenic and Fe concentration increased in roots at higher As treatments. Arsenic translocation (%) decreased in the 13.4 and 26.8 µmol L^?1 As treatments compared with the 6.7 µmol L^?1 As treatment. Arsenic and Fe were mostly concentrated in the roots of rice seedlings, assuming co-existence of these two elements. Roots contained an almost 8–16-fold higher As concentration than shoots in plants in the As treatments. Considering the concentration of Mn, Zn and Cu, it was suggested that chlorosis resulted from Fe deficiency induced by As and not heavy-metal-induced Fe deficiency.     

Copper Uptake and Tolerance in Two Contrasting Ecotypes of Elsholtzia argyi

Abstract

Information is desired on plant species that have a great potential in phytoremediation of copper (Cu) contaminated soils. Two contrasting ecotypes of Elsholtzia argyi were comparatively studied using nutrient solution culture for their growth response and uptake, distribution, and translocation of Cu. The results show that the ecotype from an old mined area (Sanmen-ecotype) had greater tolerance to Cu than that from the nonmined area (Jiuxi-ecotype) based on dry matter yield at different Cu supply levels. Inhibited root and leaf growth was noted at the external Cu levels > 50 µmol L^?1 for the Sanmen-ecotype, and at the Cu supply levels > 5 µmol L^?1 for the Jiuxi-ecotype. Stem growth was most sensitive to Cu toxicity in E. argyi, and was inhibited at the Cu levels ≥ 2.5 µmol L^?1 for Jiuxi-ecotype and ≥ 25 µmol L^?1 for Sanmen-ecotype. Root Cu concentrations were higher in Sanmen-ecotype than in Jiuxi-ecotype, but leaf, especially stem Cu concentrations were much lower in the former than in the latter. Furthermore, Jiuxi-ecotype was much more efficient than Sanmen-ecotype in the translocation of Cu from root to the shoot, and it had higher ratios of stem/root and leaf/root Cu concentration. At the Cu supply levels higher than 10 µmol L^?1, root concentrations of potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) considerably decreased in Jiuxi-ecotype, but were not affected or even increased in Sanmen-ecotype. Zinc concentrations in the stems, particularly in the leaves of Sanmen-ecotype increased by 3 folds, but were hardly changed in Juixi-ecotype when grown at the Cu levels higher than 10 µmol L^?1. These results indicate that the Sanmen-ecotype of E. argyi is a Cu-tolerant ecotype, and its tolerance to high Cu levels was mainly related to its extraordinary capability to restrict Cu uptake, especially Cu translocation from root to the shoot, probably by competitive uptake and translocation of Zn.     

Effect of supplied phytosiderophore on 59Fe absorption and translocation in Fe-deficient barley grown hydroponically in low phosphorus media

Abstract

Hydroponically grown barley plants (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Minorimugi) under iron-deficient (–Fe) and high phosphorus (P) conditions (500 µmol L^?1) showed Fe chlorosis and lower growth compared with plants grown in –Fe and low P conditions (50, 5 and 0.5 µmol L^?1). To understand the physiological role of P in regulating the growth of plants in –Fe medium, we carried out an Fe feeding experiment using four P levels (500, 50, 5 and 0.5 µmol L^?1) and phytosiderophores (PS), mugineic acid. Our results suggest that plants grown in a high P medium had higher absorption activity of ⁵⁹Fe compared with plants grown in low P media, irrespective of the presence or absence of added PS. Translocation of ⁵⁹Fe from roots to shoots was not affected by the P level. The relative translocation rate of ⁵⁹Fe increased with decreasing levels of P in the medium. In general, the addition of PS enhanced the absorption of ⁵⁹Fe and its translocation. Taken together these results suggest that the lower relative translocation rate of Fe in high P plants may be induced by the physiological inactivation of Fe in the roots, and the higher absorption activity of Fe in high P conditions possibly results from the response of barley plants to Fe deficiency.     

Effects of NaCl and silicon on ion distribution in the roots,shoots and leaves of two alfalfa cultivars with different salt tolerance

Abstract

The effects of exogenous NaCl and silicon on ion distribution were investigated in two alfalfa (Medicago sativa. L.) cultivars: the high salt tolerant Zhongmu No. 1 and the low salt tolerant Defor. The cultivars were grown in a hydroponic system with a control (that had neither NaCl nor Si added), a Si treatment (1 mmol L^?1 Si), a NaCl treatment (120 mmol L^?1 NaCl), and a Si and NaCl treatment (120 mmol L^?1 NaCl + 1 mmol L^?1 Si). After 15 days of the NaCl and Si treatments, four plants of the cultivars were removed and divided into root, shoot and leaf parts for Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Fe³⁺, Mn²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ content measurements. Compared with the NaCl treatment, the added Si significantly decreased Na⁺ content in the roots, but notably increased K⁺ contents in the shoots and leaves of the high salt tolerant Zhongmu No.1 cultivar. Applying Si to both cultivars under NaCl stress did not significantly affect the Fe³⁺, Mg²⁺ and Zn²⁺ contents in the roots, shoots and leaves of Defor and the roots and shoots of Zhongmu No.1, but increased the Ca²⁺ content in the roots of Zhongmu No.1 and the Mn²⁺ contents in the shoots and leaves of both cultivars, while it decreased the Ca²⁺ and Cu²⁺ contents of the shoots and leaves of both cultivars under salt stress. Salt stress decreased the K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Cu²⁺ contents in plants, but significantly increased Zn²⁺ content in the roots, shoots and leaves and Mn²⁺ content in the shoots of both cultivars when Si was not applied. Thus, salt affects not only the macronutrient distribution but also the micronutrient distribution in alfalfa plants, while silicon could alter the distributions of Na⁺ and some trophic ions in the roots, shoots and leaves of plants to improve the salt tolerance.     

Stress Induced by Heavy Metals Cd and Pb in Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.) Grown in Nutrient Solution

The increasing number of cases of soil contamination by heavy metals has affected crop yields, and represents an imminent risk to food. Some of these contaminants, such as cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), are very similar to micronutrients, and thus can be absorbed by plants. This study evaluated the translocation of increasing amounts of cadmium and lead and the effects of these metals in the production of beans. Bean plants were grown in nutrient solution Clark and subjected to increasing levels of Cd (from 0 to 0.5 mg L^?1) and Pb (from 0 to 10 mg L^?1). Cadmium concentration of 0.1 mg L^?1 translocated 39.8% to the shoot, and dry matter production was reduced by 45% in shoots and 80% in roots, compared to the control treatment. Lead showed impaired movement in the plant, however the concentration of 1.0 mg L^?1 was observed in 5.7% of metal translocation to the leaves. The concentration of 10 mg L^?1 Pb reduced dry matter production of roots and shoots in 83% and 76%, respectively, compared to the control treatment.     

Soybean root growth in relation to ionic composition in magnesium-amended acid subsoils: Implications on root citrate ameliorating aluminum constraints

Abstract

Hydroponic studies with soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) have shown that µmol L^?1 additions of Mg²⁺ were as effective in ameliorating Al rhizotoxicity as additions of Ca²⁺in the mmol L^?1 concentration range. The objectives of this study were to assess the ameliorative effects of Mg on soybean root growth in acidic subsoils and to relate the soil solution ionic compositions to soybean root growth. Roots of soybean cultivar Plant Introduction 416937 extending from a limed surface soil compartment grew for 28 days into a subsurface compartment containing acid subsoils from the Cecil (oxidic and kaolinitic), Creedmoor (montmorillonitic) and Norfolk (kaolinitic) series. The three Mg treatments consisted of native equilibrium soil solution concentrations in each soil (50 or 100 µmol L^?1) and MgCl₂ additions to achieve 150 and 300 µmol L^?1 Mg (Mg150 and Mg300, respectively) in the soil solutions. Root elongations into Mg-treated subsoils were compared with a CaCO₃ treatment limed to achieve a soil pH value of 6. Subsoil root growth responses to the Mg treatments were less than for the lime treatments. Root length relative to the limed treatments for all subsoils (RRL) was poorly related to the activity of the soil solution Al species (Al³⁺ and Al-hydroxyl species) and Mg²⁺. However, the RRL values were more closely related to the parameters associated with soil solution Ca activity, including (Ca²⁺), (Al³⁺)/(Ca²⁺) and (Al³⁺)/([Ca²⁺] + [Mg²⁺]), suggesting that Ca could be a primary factor ameliorating Al and H⁺ rhizotoxicity in these subsoils. Increased tolerance to Al rhizotoxicity of soybean by micromolar Mg additions to hydroponic solutions, inducing citrate secretion from roots to externally complex toxic Al, may be less important in acid subsoils with low native Ca levels.     

ALLEVIATION OF CADMIUM-TOXICITY BY APPLICATION OF ZINC AND ASCORBIC ACID IN BARLEY

ABSTRACT

Effect of cadmium (Cd) on biomass accumulation and physiological activity and alleviation of Cd-toxicity by application of zinc (Zn) and ascorbic acid in barley was studied, using semisolid medium culture including 15 treatments [four Cd concentration treatments: 0.1, 1, 5, 50?µmol?L^?1, four treatments with addition of 300?µmol?L^?1 Zn or 250?mg?L^?1 ascorbic acid (ASA) based on these four Cd concentrations, respectively, and three controls: basic nutrient medium, and with Zn or ASA, respectively]. Cadmium addition to semisolid medium, at a concentration of 1, 5, and 50?µmol?L^?1, inhibited biomass accumulation and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content of barley plants, while the addition of 0.1?µmol?L^?1 Cd increased slightly dry mass. There was a tendency to a decrease in Zn, copper (Cu) concentrations both in shoots and roots and iron (Fe) in shoots of barley plants exposed to 1 to 50?µmol?L^?1 Cd. In addition, there were indications of a stress repose characterized by increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities relative to plants not subjected to Cd. The physiological changes caused by Cd toxicity could be alleviated to different extent by application of 300?µmol?L^?1 Zn or 250?mg?L^?1 ASA in Cd stressed plants. The most pronounced effects of adding Zn or ASA in Cd stressed medium were expressed in the decreased MDA and increased biomass accumulation, e.g., MDA contents were reduced (p≤0.01) by 4.8%–17.8% in shoots and 0.5%–19.7% in roots by adding 300?µmol?L^?1 Zn, in 50?µmol?L^?1 Cd stressed plants, and by 1.3%–7.4% in shoots and 2.6%–4.5% in roots by application of 250?µmol?L^?1 ASA, respectively. However, ASA addition may enhance Cd translation from root to shoot, accordingly, ASA would be unsuitable for the edible crops grown in Cd contaminated soils to alleviate phytotoxicity of Cd.     

Growth,mineral composition,leaf chlorophyll and water relationships of two cherry varieties under NaCl-induced salinity stress

Abstract

Growth, mineral nutrition, leaf chlorophyll and water relationships were studied in cherry plants (cv. ‘Bigarreau Burlat’[BB] and ‘Tragana Edessis’[TE]) grafted on ‘Mazzard’ rootstock and grown in modified Hoagland solutions containing 0, 25 or 50 mmol L^?1 NaCl, over a period of 55 days. Elongation of the main shoot of the plants treated with 25 or 50 mmol L^?1 NaCl was significantly reduced by approximately 29–36%, irrespective of the cultivar. However, both NaCl treatments caused a greater reduction in the dry weight of leaves and scion's stems in BB than in TE plants. Therefore, BB was more sensitive to salinity stress than TE. The reduction of leaf chlorophyll concentration was significant only when BB and TE plants were grown under 50 mmol L^?1 NaCl. Osmotic adjustment permitted the maintenance of leaf turgor in TE plants and induced an increase in leaf turgor of BB plants treated with 25 or 50 mmol L^?1 NaCl compared with 0 mmol L^?1 NaCl. Concerning the nutrient composition of various plant parts, Na concentrations in all plant parts of both cultivars were generally much lower than those of Cl. For both cultivars, leaf Cl concentrations were much higher than the concentrations in stems and roots, especially in the treatments containing NaCl. Finally, the distribution of Na within BB and TE plants treated with NaCl was relatively uniform.     

Interactive Effects of Lanthanum and Cadmium on Plant Growth and Mineral Element Uptake in Crisped-Leaf Mustard Under Hydroponic Conditions

Plant growth and mineral element accumulation in Brassica juncea var. crispifolia (crisped-leaf mustard) under exposure to lanthanum (La) and cadmium (Cd) were studied by employing a hydroponic experiment with a complete two-factorial design. Four levels of La (0.05–5.0 mg L^?1) and two levels of Cd (1.0 and 10.0 mg L^?1) were used in this experiment. Lanthanum did not improve plant growth in this experiment. Addition of La (≥ 1.0 mg L^?1) or Cd (≥ 10 mg L^?1) to the solution inhibited root elongation. Lanthanum treatments reduced accumulations of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) in roots, and Mn in shoots. Lanthanum at ≥ 1.0 mg L^?1 limited the Cd translocation from roots to shoots and thus decreased the accumulation of Cd in shoots. Cadmium had no influence on La accumulations in roots, but inhibited the accumulation of La in shoots. The study results suggest that applications of rare earth elements in vegetables would be potentially risky to human health.     

Impact of Pseudomonads and Ethylene on the Cadmium and Nickel Rhizofiltration of Sunflower,Squash, and Indian Mustard

Three hydroponic experiments were set up to study the rhizofiltration of cadmium (Cd) or nickel (Ni) from artificially contaminated nutrient solution with sunflower, squash, or Indian mustard. After 48 h of exposure with 2 mg L^?1 Cd‐contaminated water, 460, 415, or 1092 µg Cd g^?1 (dry weight) was detected in roots of 33‐day‐old sunflower and squash or in 50‐day‐old Indian mustard, respectively. As calculated, 1 g of root dry matter of the tested crop species removed 5.7–12.4% of total Cd content present in the nutrient solution. It was supposed that pseudomonads (soil rhizoplane bacteria) and the plant growth hormone ethylene can enhance the specific surface of roots and hence roots' metal adsorption capacity. As a trend, pretreatment of Indian mustard with Pseudomonas fluorescens bacteria enhanced slightly the Cd (from 1793 to 2346 µg g^?1) or Ni (from 1088 to 1192 µg g^?1) concentration of roots. Cadmium concentration in roots was also enhanced from 2694 to 3273 µg g^?1 when the roots of Indian mustard were pretreated with Cd‐tolerant rather than Cd‐sensitive Pseudomonas cepacia. In spite of the occurrence of new root hairs, the pretreatment of roots with ethylene proved to be ineffective in enhancement of the Cd rhizofiltration capacity of Indian mustard.     

Effects of plant growth-promoting bacteria on the phytoremediation of cadmium-contaminated soil by sunflower

This paper describes the effect of plant growth-promoting bacteria on sunflower growth and its phytoremediation efficiency under Cd-contaminated soils. Four levels of bacteria inoculation (non-inoculation, inoculation by Bacillus safensis, Kocuria rosea and co-inoculation by Bacillus safensis+Kocuria rosea) and four Cd concentrations (0, 50, 100 and 150 mg Cd per kg soil) were arranged as factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design (CRD). Results showed that Cd significantly decreased growth by decreasing the shoot and root length and biomass (p < 0.01). In addition, Cd dramatically decreases photosynthetic pigments, Fe transport to shoot and Zn uptake (p < 0.01). Bacterial inoculation increased Fe and Zn uptake by plants, Cd concentration in the aboveground part of plants and Cd uptake by the enhancement of Cd concentration in plant tissue and biomass production. Results showed that the highest shoot Cd uptake was ?observed in ?inoculated plants by Bacillus safensis at Cd100 (20.35 mg pot^?1). However, in average of Cd treatments, the performance of co-inoculation in Cd uptake (13.04 mg pot^?1) was better than singular inoculation (10.68 and 12.58 mg pot^?1 for Bacillus safensis and Kocuria rosea, respectively). Results revealed that bacterial inoculation increased the Cd uptake performance in shoot and total biomass by 30% and 25%, respectively.     

Cadmium Phytoextraction Efficiency of Arum (Colocasia antiquorum), Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) and Water Spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) Grown in Hydroponics

Selection of a phytoextraction plant with high Cd accumulation potential based on compatibility with mechanized cultivation practice and local environmental conditions may provide more benefits than selection based mainly on high Cd tolerance plants. In this hydroponics study, the potential of Cd accumulation by three plant species; arum (Colocasia antiquorum), radish (Raphanus sativus L.) and water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) were investigated. Arum (Colocasia antiquorum L.) plants were grown for 60 days in a nutrient solution with 0, 10 or 50 μM Cd, while radish and water spinach plants grew only 12 days in 0, 1.5, 2.5, 5 or 10 μM Cd. Growth of radish and water spinach plants decreased under all Cd treatments (1.5 to 10 μM), while arum growth decreased only at 50 μM Cd. At 10 μM Cd treatment, the growth of arum was similar to the control treatment indicating higher tolerance of arum for Cd than radish and water spinach. Cadmium concentrations in different plant parts of all plant species increased significantly with Cd application in the nutrient solution. Arum and water spinach retained greater proportions of Cd in their roots, while in radish, Cd concentration in leaves was higher than in other plant parts. Cadmium concentrations in arum increased from 158 to 1,060 in the dead leaves, 37 to 280 in the normal leaves, 108 to 715 in the stems, 42 to 290 in the bulbs and 1,195 to 3,840 mg kg^?1 in the roots, when the Cd level in the solution was raised from 10 μM Cd to 50 μM Cd. Arum accumulated (dry weight?×?concentration) 25 mg plant^?1 at 10 μM, while the corresponding values for radish and water spinach were 0.23 and 0.44 mg plant^?1, respectively. With no growth retardation at Cd concentrations as high as 166 mg kg^?1 measured in entire plant (including root) of arum at 10 μM Cd in the nutrient solution, arum could be a potential Cd accumulator plant species and could be used for phytoremediation.     

Extractability of major and trace elements from agricultural soils using chemical extraction methods: Application for phytoavailability assessment

Abstract

To assess soil-to-plant transfer of various elements more precisely, the concentrations of the elements extracted from soil samples using eight chemical solutions were compared with the results of a pot cultivation experiment of komatsuna (Brassica rapa L. var. perviridis) or buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum M.) using the soils. From agricultural fields in Aomori, Japan, 16 soil samples were collected. Elements in the samples were extracted using acids (1 mol L^?1 HNO₃, 0.1 mol L^?1 HNO₃, 0.01 mol L^?1 HNO₃), chelating agents (0.05 mol L^?1 EDTA), neutral salt solutions (1 mol L^?1 NH₄OAc, 1 mol L^?1 NH₄NO₃, 0.01 mol L^?1 CaCl₂) and pure water. The 28 elements in the extracted solutions and plant samples were determined. The extractability of many metals was higher in 1 mol L^?1 HNO₃, 0.1 mol L^?1 HNO₃ and the 0.05 mol L^?1 EDTA solutions than in the other extractants. Higher extractability using the NH₄OAc solution than the NH₄NO₃ solution was observed for some elements, in particular U. Extractability by pure water was not always lowest among these methods, probably because of dispersion of colloidal substances in the extracted solution. The pot cultivation experiment showed that the concentrations in soil and in the extracted fraction using 1 mol L^?1 HNO₃, 0.1 mol L^?1 HNO₃ or the EDTA solution did not correlate with the concentration in plant samples for most elements. Plant uptake of Zn, Y and La by komatsuna correlated well with their concentrations in extracts with neutral salt solutions or 0.01 mol L^?1 HNO₃. Concentrations of Al, Cu and Cd in buckwheat were also correlated with the concentrations in the extracts.     

Root zone selenium reduces cadmium toxicity by modulating tissue-specific growth and metabolism in maize (Zea mays L.)

The effects of selenium (Se) cadmium (Cd) interactions on plant growth and metabolism are not fully clear. In the present study, we assessed whether Se could alleviate the toxic effects of Cd on growth and metabolism of maize. Seeds of maize variety FH-985 were sown in pots filled with sand treated with CdCl₂ (0, 50 and 100 µM) and Se (0, 2 and 4 mg L^?1) through Hoagland’s nutrient solution. Low Se (2 mg L^?1) increased germination percentage and rate, while high Se (4 mg L^?1) increased fresh and dry biomass under Cd stress. Interestingly, all Se concentrations were effective in alleviating the toxic effects of Cd on photosynthetic pigments, whereas higher Se mitigated the Cd-induced oxidative stress and increased flavonoids both in the shoots and roots while phenolics in the roots. The results demonstrated that root zone Se altered tissue-specific primary metabolism in maize. Furthermore, low Se mitigated the Cd-induced decrease in total proteins in the root. Overall, Se-mediated decrease in the oxidative stress in the shoots while increase of secondary metabolites in the roots helped the plants to grow faster at early growth stage and caused increase in the biomass under different Cd regimes.     

Genotypic differences in effects of cadmium on growth and nutrient compositions in wheat

Abstract

A solution culture study was conducted to determine the genotypic difference in the effects of cadmium (Cd) addition on growth and on the uptake and distribution of Cd and other 11 nutrients in wheat plants. Cadmium addition at a rate of 1 mg L^?1 significantly reduced root and shoot dry matter production, shoot height, root length, chlorophyll content, and tillers per plant. On the average of 16 wheat genotypes used in study, Cd concentrations of Cd‐treated plants were 48.1 and 459 μg g^?1 dry weight (DW) in shoots and roots, respectively, and retained 77.91% of total Cd taken up in the roots. On the whole, Cd addition reduced the concentration of sulfur (S), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), molybdenum (Mo), manganese (Mn), and boron (B), and increased iron (Fe), irrespective of the plant parts. The effect of Cd on the concentration of potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and copper (Cu) differed in shoots and roots. The significant difference existed among 16 wheat genotypes in their response to Cd in terms of growth and nutrient concentrations. Genotype E81513, which showed relatively less inhibition in growth, had the lowest shoot Cd concentration and more Cd accumulation in roots, while Ailuyuang had the highest Cd concentration and accumulation in shoot with lower Cd concentration in root. The significant interaction was found between Cd treatment and genotype for all nutrient concentrations in both shoot and root, except S and Zn in root.     

Effect of Ionic Strength and pH on Cadmium Adsorption by Brazilian Variable‐Charge Soils

Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to assess the effects of pH and ionic strength (I) on cadmium (Cd) adsorption by two Brazilian Oxisols. Adsorption envelopes were constructed through soil sample reactions with 0.01, 0.1, and 1 mol L^?1 calcium nitrate [Ca(NO₃)₂] solutions containing 5 mg L^?1 of Cd, with an increasing pH value from 3 to 8. The adsorption increased drastically with increasing pH, varying from 20 to 90% in a narrow pH range (4–6 in topsoil and 5–6 in subsoil). Gibbs energy (ΔG) for Cd adsorption was negative, and the phenomenon became more thermodynamically spontaneous with an increase in pH. Under the standard 0.01 mol L^?1 I and at pH close to natural, the ΔG values ranged from ?796 to ?3427 J mol^?1. No effect of I was observed on the ΔG values for Cd adsorption at pH values less than 6. At values greater than pH 6, sharp changes in the Cd adsorption pattern were observed on subsoil samples. The only soil attribute significantly correlated with the spontaneity of Cd adsorption was the effective cation exchange capacity, ECEC (r = 0.97; p < 0.1).     

EFFECT OF ARSENIC ON GERMINATION,PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND GROWTH PARAMETERS OF TWO WINTER WHEAT VARIETIES IN IRAN

□ Effects of different arsenic (As) concentration (0–30 mg L^?1) on seed germination, root tolerance index, relative shoot height, root and shoot biomass, photosynthetic pigments and arsenic accumulation in two wheat varieties were investigated. Low concentrations of arsenic (0–2.5 mg L^?1) stimulated germination percentage, shoot and root elongation, plant biomass as well as chlorophyll content as compared with control, however, these factors all decreased gradually at high concentrations of arsenic (5–30 mg L^?1). ‘Zarin’ variety had a significantly higher tolerance to arsenic than ‘Sardari.’ Arsenic accumulation by plants root and shoot increased with the increasing arsenic concentrations in medium, which ‘Zarin’ had a higher ability to absorb and translocate arsenic to the shoots. Root accumulated more arsenic than shoot. The similar trend of chlorophyll content and wheat growth under different arsenic concentration suggesting that arsenic toxicity affects the photosynthesis which ultimately results in the reduction of wheat growth and yield.