K-priming positively modulates growth and nutrient status of salt-stressed cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) seedlings

Being macronutrient, K⁺ is involved in a number of metabolic processes including stimulation of over 60 enzymes. The present study was conducted to investigate whether K-priming could alleviate the effects of salinity on the growth and nutrient status of cotton seedlings. The seeds of two cotton cultivars, namely FH-113 and FH-87, were primed with solutions of three potassium sources (KNO₃, K₂SO₄ and K₂HPO₄) using three concentrations (0%, 1.25% and 1.5%) of each potassium source. After 1 week of germination, the seedlings were subjected to salinity (0 and 200 mM NaCl) stress. The results showed that salinity significantly affected growth and nutrients status of cotton seedlings. The K-priming alleviated the stress condition and significantly improved dry matter as well as nutrient uptake in cotton seedlings. Of the priming treatments pre-sowing treatment with KNO₃ (1.5%) was most effective in increasing shoot and root lengths and biomass of cotton seedlings. The seedlings raised from seed treated with KNO₃ (1.5%) showed varied accumulation of cations (Ca²⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺) and faced less oxidative stress irrespective of cotton cultivars under salt stress. The results suggested that pre-sowing seed treatment with KNO₃ (1.5%) might be recommended for synchronized germination and sustainable production of cotton crop under saline environments.     

Silicon-induced changes in growth,ionic composition,water relations,chlorophyll contents and membrane permeability in two salt-stressed wheat genotypes

We investigated the effect of exogenously applied silicon (Si) on the growth and physiological attributes of wheat grown under sodium chloride salinity stress in two independent experiments. In the first experiment, two wheat genotypes SARC-3 (salt tolerant) and Auqab 2000 (salt sensitive) were grown in nutrient solution containing 0 and 100 mM sodium chloride supplemented with 2 mM Si or not. Salinity stress substantially reduced shoot and root dry matter in both genotypes; nonetheless, reduction in shoot dry weight was (2.6-fold) lower in SARC-3 than in Auqab 2000 (5-fold). Application of Si increased shoot and root dry weight and plant water contents in both normal and saline conditions. Shoot Na⁺ and Na⁺:K⁺ ratio also decreased with Si application under stress conditions. In the second experiment, both genotypes were grown in normal nutrient solution with and without 2 mM Si. After 12 days, seedlings were transferred to 1-l plastic pots and 150 mM sodium chloride salinity stress was imposed for 10 days to all pots. Shoot growth, chlorophyll content and membrane permeability were improved by Si application. Improved growth of salt-stressed wheat by Si application was mainly attributed to improved plant water contents in shoots, chlorophyll content, decreased Na⁺ and increased K⁺ concentrations in shoots as well as maintained membrane permeability.     

Soil base saturation affects root growth of European beech seedlings§

To assess the potential effects of Al toxicity on the roots of young European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), seeds were sown in soil monoliths taken from the Ah and B horizons of forest soils with very low base saturation (BS) and placed in the greenhouse. The Ah horizons offered a larger supply of exchangeable cation nutrients than the B horizons. After 8 weeks of growth under optimal moisture conditions, the seedlings were further grown for 14 d under drought conditions. Root‐growth dynamics were observed in rhizoboxes containing soils from the Ah and B horizons. The concentrations of Al³⁺, base cations, and nitrate in the soil solution and element concentrations in the root tissue were compared with above‐ and belowground growth parameters and root physiological parameters. There was no strong evidence that seedling roots suffered from high soil‐solution Al³⁺ concentrations. Within the tested range of BS (1.2%–6.5%) our results indicated that root physiological parameters such as O₂ consumption decreased and callose concentration increased in soils with a BS < 3%. In contrast to the B horizons, seedlings in the Ah horizons had higher relative shoot‐growth rates, specific root lengths, and lengths and branching increments, but a lower root‐to‐shoot ratio and root‐branching frequency. In conclusion, these differences in growth patterns were most likely due to differences in nutrient availability and to the drought application and not attributable to differences in Al³⁺ concentrations in the soil solution.     

Cumulative Effect of Soil and Foliar Application of Nitrogen,Phosphorus, and Sulfur on Growth,Physico-Biochemical Parameters,Yield Attributes,and Fatty Acid Composition in Oil of Erucic Acid-Free Rapeseed-Mustard Genotypes

ABSTRACT

The feasibility of split (soil + foliar) applications of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) and addition of a small quantity of sulfur (S) in the spray was tested for improving performance of rapeseed-mustard genotypes in a factorial randomized field experiment. Three genotypes (two erucic acid free, viz. Brassica napus L. cv. ‘Hyola PAC – 401’ and Brassica juncea L. Czern. and Coss. cv. ‘TERI (0E) M 21-Swarna’, and one best performing high yielding Brassica juncea L. cv. ‘Rohini’ as a check) were grown with four soil (B) plus foliar (F) applications of N, P, and S with uniform basal 30 kg potassium (K) ha^{? 1} (K₃₀), viz. (i) the optimum soil-applied treatment supplemented with the spray of deionized water (B_N90P30 + Fw) comprising control, (ii) B_N70P30 + F _N20, (iii) B_N70P28 + F_N20P2, and (iv) B_N70P28 + F_N20P2S2. Soil Plus foliar application of nutrients, particularly B_N70P28 + F_N20P2S2, improved their performance with respect to growth characteristics (shoot length plant^{? 1}, leaf number plant^{? 1}, area leaf^{? 1}, leaf area index, fresh weight plant^{? 1}, and dry weight plant^{? 1}), physico-biochemical parameters (net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, carboxylation efficiency, water use efficiency, carbonic anhydrase activity, leaf NPK content, and N use efficiency), yield attributes (pod number plant^{? 1}, seed number pod^{? 1}, 1000-seed weight, seed yield ha^{? 1}, oil content, and oil yield ha^{? 1}), and fatty acid composition in oil of these genotypes. The cultivar ‘Hyola PAC-401’ performed best particularly with B_N70P28 + F_N20P2S2. The improvement in the response of genotypes to the split application of nutrients may be attributed to their ready availability through foliar application.     

盐胁迫下柚实生苗生长、矿质营养及离子吸收特性研究

以坪山柚为材料,对盐胁迫下实生苗生长、矿质营养及离子吸收特性进行了研究。结果表明,沙培30d,80～200mmol/L盐胁迫,随盐浓度提高,坪山柚实生苗株高、叶面积、地上部干重和根部干重明显降低。溶液培养8d,坪山柚实生苗地上部及根Na+、Cl-含量随盐浓度的增加而增加,根及地上部K+、Ca2+、Mg2+以及P和Mn含量下降,Fe、Zn、Cu含量的变化因器官而异。其中,地上部Fe含量对盐胁迫敏感,可作为柚耐盐性鉴定指标。40mmol/L盐胁迫,坪山柚地上部K+/Na+、Ca2+/Na+、Mg2+/Na+值均显著下降,且Mg2+/Na+值+/Na+值>1;浓度≥160mmol/L盐胁迫,K+/Na+值+吸收、运转效率比Cl-高。     

Effect of salinity and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on growth and some physiological parameters of Citrus jambheri

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi alleviate the unfavorable effects of salinity stress on plant growth. A pot study was conducted to determine the effects of AM fungi and salt on growth and some physiological parameters of Citrus jambheri rootstock. Four levels of salinity (2, 4, 6, and 8 dS m^?1 as NaCl) and three mycorrhizal treatments (Glomus etunicatum, Glomus intraradices and non-mycorrhizal (NM) control) were used. As salinity increased, all measured characteristics of plants after 4.5-month growth except Na uptake, proline content, and electrolyte leakage decreased. Shoot dry weight and K uptake were significantly higher in G. intraradices-colonized seedlings than NM controls at all salinity levels. Root dry weight and shoot P uptake were significantly higher in G. etunicatum-colonized seedlings than NM controls at all salinity levels. G. intraradices-colonized seedlings had significantly higher proline content than NM controls and G. etunicatum-colonized seedlings at salinity levels of 4, 6 and 8 dS m^?1. The electrolyte leakage percentage was significantly lower in G. intraradices-colonized seedlings than NM controls at all salinity levels. The data demonstrated that mycorrhizal citrus seedlings exhibited greater tolerance to salt stress than NM seedlings and the enhanced proline content seems to be one of the mechanisms involved.     

Arsenic and chromium resistance mechanisms in the Micrococcus luteus group

High arsenic (As) and chromium (Cr) concentrations are currently receiving attention because of their negative effects on the environment and human health. Microorganisms inhabiting contaminated environments have developed resistance mechanisms against the toxicity of these pollutants. Indeed, members of the bacterial genus Micrococcus have been isolated from different toxic metal-contaminated environments; however, knowledge concerning its resistance mechanisms to As and Cr toxicity remains lim...     

外源一氧化氮对NaCl胁迫下番茄幼苗光合作用和离子含量的影响

在100.mmol/L.NaCl胁迫下,研究了外源一氧化氮供体硝普钠(SNP)处理对番茄幼苗光合作用和离子含量的影响。结果表明,外源一氧化氮能使在NaCl胁迫下的番茄幼苗叶片叶绿素含量、净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、叶绿素荧光参数Fv/Fo和Fv/Fm显著提高,胞间CO2浓度(Ci)明显下降;番茄幼苗根系、叶片中K+、Ca2+和Mg2+含量均显著提高,Na+含量明显降低。表明外源一氧化氮可以减轻盐胁迫对番茄幼苗叶片光合功能的不利影响,缓解NaCl胁迫对番茄幼苗的抑制作用。     

Arsenic in field‐collected soil solutions and extracts of contaminated soils and its implication to soil standards

Large concentrations of arsenic in soils, sediments, and freshwaters require risk assessment across the Central Alps and other regions. We measured arsenic concentrations in soil samples collected from 38 sites located in the Austrian Central Alps that had been contaminated due to mining and smelter activities and geogenic mineralization. Medians and ranges of arsenic concentrations (in mg kg^—1) in the soil solid phase were: 77.1 (1—3000) for the total (As_t), 19.2 (0—726) for (NH₄)₂C₂O₄‐extractable (As_o), 2.35 (0—169) for (NH₄)₂HPO₄‐extractable (As_p), and 0.143 (0—11.1) for (NH₄)₂SO₄‐extractable (As_s) arsenic. Arsenic concentrations in soil solutions (As_sol) collected from organic surface layers and mineral horizons at five selected sites using suction cups fitted with nylon membranes ranged from 0 to 171 μg l^—1. Typically, the prevailing species of As in the soil solution was As(V). As_sol was correlated with As_s (As_sol = 0.279 + 15.6 As_s; r² = 0.938; n = 17) and As_t (As_sol = 1.272 + 0.043 As_t; r² = 0.833; n = 17). Using these empirical models, As_sol can be predicted quite accurately based on extraction with 0.05 M (NH₄)₂SO₄ or total arsenic concentrations in the soil. Linking these models to drinking water standards (DWS) we propose soil standards for freshwater protection that vary for As_s (mg kg^—1) between 0.62 (for DWS = 10 μg l^—1 WHO) and 3.19 (for DWS = 50 μg l^—1). Corresponding standards for As_t (mg kg^—1) are 203 (DWS = 10 μg l^—1) and 1133 (DWS = 50 μg l^—1). These considerations demonstrate that changes in legislation on DWS may have dramatic impact on As concentrations in soil that are acceptable for groundwater protection.     

Smoke‐water and karrikinolide (KAR1) foliar applications promote seedling growth and photosynthetic pigments of the biofuel seed crop Jatropha curcas L.

This greenhouse study tested the effect of smoke‐water and the smoke‐isolated biologically active compound karrikinolide (KAR₁) on growth and photosynthetic pigments of Jatropha curcas L. seedlings. Fifteen‐day‐old seedlings were sprayed once weekly for 5 weeks with three dilutions of smoke‐water (1 : 250, 1 : 500, and 1 : 1000 v/v) or KAR₁ (10^–7, 10^–8, and 10^–9 M). Growth parameters and photosynthetic pigment concentrations of 75‐d‐old seedlings were measured. Foliar application of both smoke‐water and KAR₁ on J. curcas seedlings showed significant increases in stem width, shoot length, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and total carotenoid concentrations compared to the untreated control. KAR₁ significantly improved leaf area, shoot and root dry mass, seedling‐vigor index, and photosynthetic pigments as compared to control treatments. These results suggest the possible use of smoke‐water and KAR₁ to achieve a vigorous and well established crop of J. curcas.     

Fractionation and Speciation of Manganese in Rhizosphere Soils of Pseudomonas sp. Rhizobacteria Inoculated Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) Seedlings Under Salinity Stress

Enhancement of manganese (Mn) availability in saline and Mn-deficient soils is very important for plant growth. An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of Pseudomonas sp. rhizobacteria (P₀ (control), P₁, P₂ and P₃) and Mn (0 and 10 mg Mn kg^?1 soil) on the distribution of Mn in the rhizosphere of pistachio seedlings under salinity stress (0, 1000 and 2000 mg NaCl kg^?1 soil). The results showed that salinity decreased the dry weight, Mn uptake and chlorophyll content of the pistachio seedlings. However, inoculation with rhizobacteria increased these parameters in saline conditions. Application of rhizobacteria increased the availability of Mn in the rhizosphere soil. The use of rhizobacteria decreased the residual-Mn form in the rhizosphere. Inoculation with rhizobacteria increased the percent of Mn²⁺ and MnCl⁺ species in the soil solution. However, pistachio seedlings inoculation with rhizobacteria increased the contents of Mn available forms in the rhizosphere soil.     

WHEAT GENOTYPES DIFFERED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THEIR RESPONSE TO SILICON NUTRITION UNDER SALINITY STRESS

We studied the growth and ionic composition of five wheat genotypes (Inqlab-91, Uqab 2002, SARC-1, SARC-3, and SARC-5) grown under salinity stress to applied silicon. Plants were grown with three levels of salinity [0, 60, and 120 mM sodium chloride (NaCl)] in the presence of 0, 2, and 4 mM Si in nutrient solution for 40 days. Salinity stress significantly decreased shoot and root biomass in plants with varying degrees. Genotype SARC-3 exhibited higher salt tolerance than other genotypes. Silicon (Si) application significantly (P < 0.05) increased plant biomass at both control as well as under saline conditions. Genotypes differed significantly for their response to applied Si in terms of biomass production. Silicon application significantly (P < 0.01) increased potassium (K⁺) concentration in shoots. Enhanced salinity tolerance in wheat by Si application was attributed to increased K⁺ uptake thereby increasing K⁺/sodium (Na⁺) ratio and lower Na⁺ translocation towards shoot.     

Silicon and Potassium Nutrition Enhances Salt Adaptation Capability of Sunflower by Improving Plant Water Status and Membrane Stability

The relationships between salinity and mineral nutrition are extremely complex and may change depending on many factors in soil-plant system. We investigated the contribution of silicon (Si at 50 mg kg^?1 soil) and potassium (K at 40 and 60 mg K₂O kg^?1 soil) to improve salt tolerance in sunflower grown with 100 mM sodium chloride (NaCl). The experimental design was factorial based on a completely randomized design with five replications. Added NaCl increased sodium ion (Na⁺) accumulation by 966 percent in shoots and 1200 percent in roots but reduced shoot potassium ion (K⁺) concentration by 49 percent, root K⁺ 51 percent, and shoot K⁺/Na⁺ ratio 95 percent. However, Si and K application effectively reduced Na⁺ accumulation and increased K⁺ concentration and K⁺:Na⁺ ratio, with a significant improvement in plant growth and yield. Among all treatments, greater alleviative effects of Si and K were observed for 50 mg Si + 60 mg K₂O kg^?1 soil, which decreased shoot Na⁺ concentration by 67 percent, root Na⁺ 18 percent, and shoot Na⁺/root Na⁺ ratio 60 percent and increased shoot K⁺ by 198 percent, shoot K⁺/Na⁺ ratio 812 percent, membrane stability index (MSI) 35 percent, relative water content (RWC) 26 percent, and seed weight head^?1 86 percent compared to salt-stressed plants without supplemental Si and K. Most of the plant growth parameters were negatively correlated with Na⁺ accumulation but positively correlated with K⁺ and K⁺/Na⁺ ratio. This study suggests that Si and K mediated reduction in Na⁺ accumulation, and increase in K⁺ concentration, K⁺/Na⁺ ratio, RWC, and MSI are the main factors contributing to improved adaptation capability of sunflower to NaCl stress.     

Catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activities are not directly involveded in the silicon‐mediated alleviation of ferrous iron toxicity in rice

Silicon (Si) is the second most abundant element in the soil and can alleviate several abiotic stresses in many plant species. However, the mechanisms involved in alleviating ferrous iron (Fe²⁺) toxicity by Si are still largely unknown, and no study has investigated the role of Si on the Fe²⁺‐induced oxidative stress and antioxidant system in rice. Four cultivars of Asian and African rice (Oryza sativa L. and Oryza glaberrima Steud) were grown for 4 weeks under hydroponic conditions with or without Fe²⁺ (250 mg Fe²⁺ L^?1) and with or without Si (250 mg SiO₂ L^?1). The plants that were treated with Fe²⁺ suffered Fe²⁺ toxicity, and Si helped to alleviate the toxicity symptoms. The bronzing index and the Fe concentration in the foliar tissue increased in the presence of Fe²⁺ but decreased significantly with the application of 250 mg SiO₂ L^?1. The concentration of malonyldialdehyde, that is commonly used as an indicator of oxidative stress, increased in the foliar tissue in the presence of 250 mg Fe²⁺ L^?1 in the nutrient solution. The application of 250 mg SiO₂ L^?1 in the plant nutrient solution treated with Fe²⁺ considerably limited the increase of malonyldialdehyde. However, no significant effect of Si application on the activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase and ascorbate peroxidase) and non‐enzymatic antioxidants (total ascorbate, reduced ascorbate, oxidized ascorbate, and the ratio of the reduced to oxidized forms) was observed in the rice plants that were grown in the presence of Fe²⁺. These results suggest that Si does not act directly on the antioxidant defense system of rice but reduces the plant Fe²⁺ concentration, which reduces the oxidative stress.     

Effects of Acid Mist and Ascorbic Acid Treatment on the Growth,Stability of Leaf Membranes,Chlorophyll Content and Some Mineral Elements of Carthamus tinctorius,the Safflower

Safflower shoots were sprayed with either HNO₃,HCl and H₂SO₄ acid solutions of pH 2.0 ordistilled water as a control and then sprayed with 0and 100 mg L^-1 ascorbic acid solutions. In theabsence of ascorbic acid, membranes of leaf discsexcised from acid misted plants were more injured bydehydration (40% polyethylene glycol, P.E.G.) andheat (51 °C) stress than those taken fromunmisted plants. Safflower plants sprayed with HCl andH₂SO₄ solutions had lower contents ofchlorophyll (Chl.), soluble sugars (S.S.),hydrolysable carbohydrates (H.C.), soluble proteins(S.P.); total free amino acids (T.A.A.) and producedless biomass in their shoot and root systems than theunacidified control. The reverse held true in theplants received HNO₃ solution. Proline contentincreased with exposure to an HCl acid mist of pH 2.0.An acid spray of pH 2.0 did not affect shoot Na⁺,K⁺ and Mg²⁺ content but reduced theircontents in the root. Shoot and root Ca²⁺contents were substantially lower in acid sprayedplants than in the unsprayed analogues. Ascorbic acidtreatment counteracted the deleterious effects of acidmist on the parameters tested, effectively protectingthe plant membranes from dehydration and heat stressinjury. Ascorbic acid protection was more pronouncedin plants that received HCl solution (e.g. chlorophyllcontent was about three-fold higher than that ofascorbic acid untreated analogues) in contrast toeither HNO₃ or H₂SO₄ treated plants.The effects of single factors, acid mist (pH),ascorbic acid (A.A.) and their interaction (pH × A.A)on the parameters tested were statisticallysignificant. The coefficient of determination(η²) indicated that: (1) acid mist (pH) hada dominant role in affecting the stability of leafmembrane to dehydration stress, Chl content, shootlength and dry mass production, shoot S.P. and H.C.,and root S.S., S.P., T.A.A., Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺contents. (2) The effect of ascorbic acid (A.A.) wasdominant for shoot Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺ andproline contents as well as for root H.C. (3) Theshare of pH × AA. interaction was dominant for thestability of leaf membrane to heat stress, root dryweight, shoot S.S., T.A.A. and root Na⁺ content.(4) The role of pH and A.A. was equally dominant inaffecting root length.     

Fertilizer location modifies root zone salinity,root morphology,and water‐stress resistance of tree seedlings according to the watering regime in a dryland reforestation

There is a direct relationship between soil nutrient concentration in localized zones and root proliferation and elongation under well‐watered conditions. However, in field studies under semiarid conditions this relationship can change due to higher salt accumulation and soil dryness that affect root growth, water stress resistance, and seedling survival. We assessed the effect of different locations of fertilizer placement in the soil profile and water availability on root zone salinity, root development and ecophysiological responses of Quillaja saponaria Mol. after outplanting. A single dose (6 g L^?1) of controlled‐release nitrogen fertilizer (CRF_N) was placed at 0 cm (top layer), 15 cm (middle layer), or 30 cm (bottom layer) depth in the containers in a greenhouse, in addition to an unfertilized treatment (control). After 6 months, seedlings were transplanted to the field and subjected to weekly watering regimes (2 L plant^?1 and unwatered). Morphological and ecophysiological parameters were periodically measured on seedlings, as well as soil electrical conductivity (EC). After 1 year, the shoot : root ratio of unwatered seedlings decreased as a function of CRF_N placement depth, which was attributed to lower shoot growth and not to greater root growth. The root morphology of the bottom layer treatment was negatively affected by high EC in unwatered seedlings. Greater total root length and root volume of the middle layer treatment was found only when well‐watered; however, this did not contribute to improve physiological responses against water stress. The lowest EC and the highest photochemical efficiency, net photosynthesis, and stomatal conductance were shown by unfertilized seedlings, independent of water availability. Our findings suggest that varying depth of CRF_N placement does not contribute significantly to improve root growth under water restriction. Water supplements, independently of the CRF_N location in the substrate, contribute to decrease root zone salinity, and consequently, improve root volume growth.     

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.     

Under drought conditions NaCl improves the nutritional status of the xerophyte Zygophyllum xanthoxylum but not of the glycophyte Arabidopsis thaliana

Zygophyllum xanthoxylum is a salt‐accumulating xerophytic species with excellent adaptability to adverse environments. Previous studies demonstrated that Z. xanthoxylum absorbs a great quantity of Na⁺ as an osmoregulatory substance under arid conditions. To investigate the nutritional status of Z. xanthoxylum in comparison with a typical glycophyte, Arabidopsis thaliana, seedlings were exposed to NaCl (50 mM for Z. xanthoxylum and 5 mM for A. thaliana), osmotic stress (–0.5 MPa), and osmotic stress combined with the NaCl treatment. Compared to the control, NaCl treatment or osmotic stress significantly increased Na⁺ concentration in leaves and roots of Z. xanthoxylum, but not of A. thaliana. Under osmotic stress, the addition of NaCl significantly increased Na⁺ concentration in leaves and roots of Z. xanthoxylum, resulting in improved biomass and tissue water content. However, such changes were not observed in A. thaliana. Compared to the control, K⁺ concentrations in leaves and roots remained unchanged in Z. xanthoxylum when exposed to osmotic stress, with or without additional 50 mM NaCl. In contrast, significant reductions in shoot K⁺ concentrations of A. thaliana were observed under osmotic stress alone or when combined with 5 mM NaCl. Moreover, NaCl alone or when combined with osmotic stress enhanced the accumulation of N, P, Fe, Si, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ in Z. xanthoxylum, but did not cause such nutritional changes in A. thaliana. Compared to the glycophyte A. thaliana, Z. xanthoxylum could accumulate Na⁺ and maintain the stability of nutritional status at a relatively constant level to cope with drought stress.     

重金属污染土壤的植物修复研究Ⅲ.金属富集植物Brassica juncea对锌镉的吸收和积累

采用温室盆栽试验研究了印度芥菜对土壤中锌镉污染的忍耐、积累能力 ,以检验这种植物修复Zn、Cd污染土壤的可能性及其潜力。在加入Zn 5 0 0和 1 0 0 0mgkg- 1 的土壤中 ,印度芥菜生长 66天后 ,叶片中积累Zn的平均浓度分别达 2 80和 662mgkg- 1 ,地上部带走的Zn分别为每盆 2 1 95和 341 2 μg。在加入Cd 2 0 0mgkg- 1 的土壤中生长的印度芥菜 ,叶片中积累Cd浓度为 1 61mgkg- 1 ,地上部带走的Cd为每盆 381 μg。和普通植物相比 ,印度芥菜更能将Zn和Cd从根运输到地上部。Zn 5 0 0mgkg- 1 处理的土壤在种植印度芥菜后其NH4NO3提取的Zn显著高于不种植物的处理 ;土壤添加Cd 2 0 0mgkg- 1 的处理NH4NO3提取的Cd也显著高于不种植物的处理 ,可能的原因是植物根分泌出特殊的分泌物 ,专一性地螯合溶解根系附近的难溶态Zn和Cd,从而提高土壤溶液中的浓度。印度芥菜对Zn、Cd有较强的忍耐和富集能力 ,是Zn、Cd污染土壤修复有潜力的植物。