Two allelopathic substances from Paspalum commersonii Lam.

Paspalum commersonii (Poaceae) is a herbaceous perennial weed distributed in the tropics and subtropics regions and grows mainly in the moist, or even flooded soil. It often appears in the rice field as a competitive weed and difficult to manage. Its strong competitive nature indicates possible allelopathic potential of P. commersonii. However, no studies have been found yet on the allelopathic activity of P. commersonii. Thus, we investigated the allelopathic potential of this weed and determined its allelopathic substances. Aqueous methanol extracts of P. commersonii showed concentration-dependent inhibitory activity on the seedling growth of cress, alfalfa, rapeseed, lettuce, barnyard grass, foxtail fescue, Italian ryegrass, and timothy. Two substances were isolated through bioassay-guided fractionation and their structures were determined through spectral data as dehydrovomifoliol and loliolide. Dehydrovomifoliol and loliolide started inhibiting the shoot and root growth of cress at concentrations greater than 3 and 0.03?mM, respectively. The concentrations required for 50% inhibition (I₅₀) of cress shoot and root growth were 3.34 and >3.50?mM for dehydrovomifoliol and 0.04 and 0.05?mM for loliolide, respectively. These results indicate that both substances may affect the inhibitory activity of P. commersonii.     

Evaluation of phytotoxic potential and identification of phytotoxic substances in Cassia alata Linn. leaves

Cassia alata (Caesalpiniaceae) is a large perennial shrub native to tropical America. It is an important medicinal and ornamental plant and has been reported to possess several pharmacological properties. However, phytotoxic substances from C. alata have not yet been documented in the literature. Therefore, this study seeks to evaluate the phytotoxic potential of C. alata leaves and to identify inhibitory substances for the purpose of eco-friendly weed management. The effect of aqueous methanol extracts of C. alata on the seedling growth of alfalfa, cress, lettuce, rapeseed, barnyard grass, foxtail fescue, Italian ryegrass, and timothy was examined. The level of inhibition of the extracts corresponded to concentration. Several chromatographic steps were performed to separate the extracts, and through spectroscopic analysis, two active substances were isolated and characterised as rutin and syringone. These two active substances significantly inhibited the seedling growth of cress and foxtail fescue. The range of I₅₀ values (required concentration for 50% growth inhibition) of rutin and syringone for the seedling growth of cress and foxtail fescue were 129.5–417.8 and 160.1–466.5?µM, respectively. These results indicate that the two identified active phytotoxic substances from C. alata may be responsible for its growth inhibitory properties.     

Accumulation of Phosphorus and Arsenic in Two Perennial Grasses for Soil Remediation

Rice cutgrass (Leersia oryzoides Sw.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) were assessed for potential for phytoremediation of arsenic (As) in a soil-based medium amended with phosphorus (P) in a greenhouse experiment. Arsenic was added at 30 mg kg^?1, and P concentrations ranged from 0 to 120 mg kg^?1. Plants were grown for 8 weeks. Rice cutgrass accumulated greater concentration and total amount of As in shoots or roots than fescue. Only the first increment of P fertilization increased As in shoots above that which accumulated without P fertilization. Phosphorus fertilization did not stimulate growth of either species. Most of the As remained in the roots of either species. Plant–soil accumulation ratios suggest that rice cutgrass has more potential in phytoremediation than fescue. Above a minimal amount, P fertilization did not enhance As accumulation in shoots and may not be useful in increasing the potential of either species to remediate soils.     

看麦娘叶片对化感小麦根水提液的生理响应

为阐明小麦化感抑草的生理机制,选择强化感小麦‘115/青海麦’、‘92L89’和弱化感小麦‘抗10103’,通过添加浓度为0.2%、0.5%和1.0%的小麦根水提液进行水培试验3周后,测定了各处理看麦娘的鲜重,分析叶片中叶绿素(SPAD值)、可溶蛋白、MDA、类黄酮、总酚的含量以及SOD、POD、CAT活性。结果表明,水提液处理显著抑制了看麦娘的生长,抑制率在不同处理浓度及小麦品种间均存在显著差异,强化感小麦的抑制率显著高于弱化感小麦。在处理浓度范围内,不同小麦根水提液的抑制率大小依次为‘115/青海麦’(24.7%~74.3%)‘92L89’(15.7%~71.6%)‘抗10103’(13.8%~61.4%);0.2%、1.0%和5.0%水提液处理的抑制率大小依次为13.8%~24.7%、41.7%~66.4%和61.4%~74.2%。看麦娘叶绿素含量(SPAD值)随处理浓度增大显著降低,可溶蛋白含量,SOD、POD、CAT活性,MDA、类黄酮含量随处理浓度增大显著升高,强化感小麦对看麦娘的生理刺激作用高于弱化感小麦。1.0%‘115/青海麦’及5.0%各小麦水提液处理的看麦娘总酚含量高于对照。可见,小麦化感胁迫提高了看麦娘的保护酶系统活性,增强了抗氧化物质代谢,但显著增强了细胞膜脂质过氧化和叶绿素降解,不利于靶标植物看麦娘的生长。     

EFFECT OF BIODEGRADABLE CHELATING LIGAND ON IRON BIOAVAILABILITY AND RADISH GROWTH

The effect of chelating ligands on iron (Fe) uptake and growth of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) was investigated. The ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) increased ⁵⁵Fe uptake in roots of radish though its subsequent translocation from roots to shoots and leaves did not increase. About 70%—80% of the total ⁵⁵Fe was distributed in the roots while about 5%—15% and 11%—17% were in shoots and leaves, respectively. The EDTA increased iron uptake into the roots of radish, but not in the above ground parts of the plant. The growth of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) decreased drastically in alkaline condition (pH > 9), even though the concentration of iron was sufficient in the growth medium. The growth of radish was enhanced successfully by the addition of hydroxyiminodisuccinic acid (HIDS) and EDTA. This might be because HIDS and EDTA solubilize iron from its precipitation with hydroxides at higher pH, and increase iron bioavailability. The influence of EDTA and HIDS on radish growth was comparable. Increase of radish growth by ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (EDDS) and methylglicinediacetic acid (MGDA) was less than those by EDTA and HIDS. Considering the reproducibility of the radish growth (biomass production) at pH 10, HIDS is supposed to be more effective compared to EDTA.     

西芹根物质浸提液处理后黄瓜叶片内几种氮代谢物质含量的变化

以黄瓜品种"津春4号"为材料,在黄瓜植株第1片真叶长至宽5 cm时,使用西芹鲜根及根际区物的乙醇、丙酮和蒸馏水浸提液对黄瓜植株进行化感处理(灌根),测定处理后黄瓜叶片内几种氮代谢物质含量的变化,从氮代谢角度研究西芹鲜根及根际区物浸提液处理后黄瓜植株对黄瓜枯萎病菌的化感抑制作用机理。结果表明:处理后黄瓜叶片内可溶性蛋白质、氨、丝氨酸、精氨酸、脯氨酸与总氨基酸含量均高于对照,含量达到峰值时分别较丙酮对照增加10.58%、18.31%、6.54%、3.10%、9.64%和3.16%,而硝酸盐、甘氨酸和蛋氨酸含量则低于对照,含量达到最低值时分别较丙酮对照降低7.52%、3.41%和15.55%。对于不同西芹根物质浸提液处理,丙酮浸提液处理的氮代谢物质含量变化最显著,乙醇浸提液处理次之,蒸馏水浸提液处理变化最低,西芹鲜根浸提液处理的氮代谢物质含量变化高于西芹根际区物浸提液处理。     

盐胁迫下两种草坪草膜脂过氧化和抗氧化酶比较

Salinity stress is a major factor limiting the growth of turfgrass irrigated with recycled wastewater. The change in lipid peroxidation in terms of malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxide (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) in the shoots and roots of Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue were investigated under salinity stress. Plants were subjected to 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mmol L 1 NaCl for 40 d. The MDA content under salinity stress was lower in tall fescue than in Kentucky bluegrass in both shoots and roots. Activities of SOD in the shoots of both species increased with salinity stress. The activities of CAT and APX decreased in Kentucky bluegrass, but no significant difference in the activities of CAT and APX was observed in tall fescue. The activities of SOD, CAT and APX in the shoots of tall fescue were higher than those in Kentucky bluegrass. In the roots of Kentucky bluegrass, SOD and GR activities increased and CAT and APX activities decreased in comparison with the control. In the roots of tall fescue, salinity increased the activities of SOD, CAT, and APX. These results suggested that tall fescue exhibited a more effective protection mechanism and mitigated oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation by maintaining higher SOD, CAT and APX activities than Kentucky bluegrass.     

EFFECTS OF PLANT GROWTH PROMOTING BACTERIA ON YIELD,GROWTH, LEAF WATER CONTENT,MEMBRANE PERMEABILITY,AND IONIC COMPOSITION OF STRAWBERRY UNDER SALINE CONDITIONS

Plant growth promoting effects of Bacillus subtilis EY2, Bacillus atrophaeus EY6, Bacillus spharicus GC subgroup B EY30, Staphylococcus kloosii EY37 and Kocuria erythromyxa EY43 were tested on strawberry cv. ‘Fern’ in terms of fruit yield, growth, chlorophyll reading value, leaf relative water content (LRWC), membrane permeability and ionic composition of leaves and roots under saline conditions. Compared with 0 mM sodium chloride (NaCl) treatment, the average decrease of yield and LRWC were 51.6% and 21.0%, respectively, when 35 mM NaCl was applied. However, EY30, EY37, and EY43 treatments under saline condition (35 mM NaCl) significantly increased fruit yield (54.4%, 51.7% and 94.9%) compared with 35 mM NaCl treatment without plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB). The LRWC increased from 72.0% in 35 mM NaCl treatment to 88.4%, 86.6%, 84.2%, 83.5%, and 86.2% by EY2, EY6, EY30, EY37, and EY43 applications, respectively. The lowest membrane permeability among the bacterial strains was obtained from EY37 treatment (37) while it was 33 and 58 in 0 mM NaCl and 35 mM NaCl treatments, respectively. The concentration of all plant tissue nutrients investigated [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg)] with the exception of root phosphorus (P) and Mg concentration significantly decreased with 35 mM salt treatment. Nitrogen content of leaves varied between 3.04 and 3.14% in bacterial treatments under saline conditions while it was 2.71% in 35 mM NaCl treatment. In contrast sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl) of leaves and Cl content of roots were significantly decreased by root inoculation with all bacterial treatments in comparison to 35 mM NaCl treatment with no inoculation. Treatment with Bacillus EY30, Staphylococcus EY37 and Kocuria EY43 to strawberry plants can ameliorative the deleterious effect of salt stress on fruit yield, growth and nutrition. These results demonstrate that PGPB treatment could be offer an economic and simple means to increased plant resistance for salinity stress.     

Isolation of phytotoxic compounds from tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima swingle)

The aqueous root extract of Ailanthus altissima showed allelopathic activity against radish (Raphanus sativus L. cv. "Saxa"), garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.), and purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) seeds. A bioassay-oriented purification of active extracts, chromatographic fractions, and compounds demonstrated dose-dependent activity on germination and radicle growth of test seeds; radish seed was the most sensitive to allelochemicals. Active compounds have been isolated: ailanthone, ailanthinone, chaparrine, and ailanthinol B (quassinoid derivatives); the alkaloid 1-methoxycanthin-6-one is not active. The compound with greatest inhibitory activity is ailanthone. The data obtained suggest a possible use of tree-of-heaven root extracts or of its active constituents as natural herbicides.     

Accumulation,distribution, and physiological contribution of oxalic acid and other solutes in an alkali‐resistant forage plant,Kochia sieversiana,during adaptation to saline and alkaline conditions

Kochia sieversiana (Pall.) C. A. Mey is a forage plant in the family Chenopodiaceae, which can grow in extremely alkalinized grasslands at pH levels of 10 or higher. Kochia sieversiana often contains a large amount of oxalic acid. In the present study, seedlings of K. sieversiana were exposed to the following conditions: nonstress, salt stress (molar ratio of NaCl : Na₂SO₄ = 1:1, salinity: 200 mM), and alkali stress (molar ratio of NaHCO₃ : Na₂CO₃ = 1:1, salinity: 200 mM). By determining and analyzing various physiological factors such as the concentrations and distribution of different organic acids (including oxalic acid) in various parts of K. sieversiana, the concentrations of inorganic ions (K⁺, Na⁺, Cl^–, SO$ _4^{2-} $ , etc.), the organic solutes (proline, betaine, and soluble sugar) in shoots, and the accumulation and distribution of oxalic acid in K. sieversiana, the physiological contribution of oxalic acid to K. sieversiana adaptability to saline and alkaline conditions was investigated. Results show that oxalic acid mainly accumulated in shoots, and that its concentration was highest in mature functional leaves where photosynthesis productivity was based and lowest in old stems and roots, regardless of plant treatment (nonstress, salt, or alkali conditions). Under nonstress, salt, and alkali conditions, the concentrations of oxalic acid in mature leaves were 8%, 10%, and 12% of their dry weights, respectively, and were 1%, 0.7%, and 0.6% of dry weights, respectively, in roots. There were varying effects of salt and alkali conditions on oxalic acid concentrations in different parts of K. sieversiana. Oxalic acid concentration increased in leaves, did not change significantly in young stems, and decreased in old stems and roots. The present analysis shows that oxalic acid exists as an organic anion in K. sieversiana. Consequently, oxalic acid not only plays a crucial role in osmoregulation and pH adjustment, but it also is the dominant contributor of negative charge, playing a key role in maintaining ionic balance in vivo. Oxalic acid in K. sieversiana shoots is a key substance on which the adaptation to saline and alkaline conditions is based.     

The possible role of organic acids as allelochemicals in Tamarindus indica L. leaves

Tamarindus indica L. is well known for its acidic nature and allelopathic potential, but to date, little is known about its organic acids playing their role as allelochemicals. Hence, in the present study, identification, quantification, and contribution of organic acids present in its leaf extract were conducted using the principle of bioassay-guided procedure. High pressure liquid chromatography identified four organic acids, viz. citric, malic, oxalic, and tartaric acids, in its leaf aqueous extract with the predominance of oxalic acid (7.5 g kg^?1 leaves fresh weight) followed by tartaric acid (7.3 g kg^?1). The allelopathic activity of identified acids and aqueous extract was evaluated on lettuce seedlings growth based on the specific activity (EC₅₀). The crude extract reduced radicle growth more adversely than hypocotyl at the concentration of 2.5 g L^?1 (EC₅₀). It hindered the normal physiological growth process through weak and curly seedlings, and necrosis of their tips. Among the identified acids, oxalic acid had the highest specific activity (40 mg L^?1) and citric acid had the lowest (>1000 mg L^?1). As a consequence of its high contents, the total activity, a function of specific activity and concentration, of oxalic acid (188) was found higher followed by tartaric acid (146). The contribution of both acids influencing the specific activity of the crude extract was then turned out to be 74%. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report identifying the oxalic and tartaric acids as growth inhibitors in tamarind leaves and quantifying their contribution in its allelopathic expression. Based on the total activity, the results suggested that oxalic and tartaric acids are the major allelochemicals in tamarind leaves. The allelopathic potential of these acids might promote the development of natural herbicides as an alternative to the synthetic ones in a most sustainable manner.     

Tall fescue aluminum tolerance is affected by neotyphodium coenophialum endophyte

Roots of endophyte‐infected (E+) tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) exude more phenolic‐like reductants than roots of endophyte‐free (E‐) plants when mineral stressed. Phenolic compounds are efficient chelators of aluminum (Al) and may influence Al tolerance in many plant species. The objective of our study was to determine if enhanced release of phenolic compounds by roots of E+ plants contributes to Al tolerance in tall fescue. Two cloned genotypes (DN2 and DN11) of tall fescue infected with their naturally occurring fungal endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum (Morgan‐Jones and Gams) Glenn, Bacon and Hanlin and their noninfected isolines were grown in nutrient solutions at 0 μM Al (Al‐) and at 640 μM Al (Al+) under controlled environment conditions. Root and shoot dry matter (DM) of endophyte‐infected tall fescue was greater in E+ than E‐ plants by 57% and 40%, respectively, when plants were grown without Al. Endophyte infection did not affect root and shoot DM of tall fescue grown with Al but relative (to Al‐treatment) reduction in root and shoot DM was greater in E+ than E‐ plants. In response to Al stress, more Al (47%) and P (49%) could be desorbed from root surfaces of E+ than E‐ plants. Aluminum concentrations in roots of E+ plants were 35% greater and P concentrations were 10% less than those determined in roots of E‐plants. No differences in mineral concentrations were observed in shoots, regardless of endophyte status, or Al level in nutrient solution. Roots of E+ plants increased pH of both Al‐ and Al+ nutrient solutions to a greater extent than roots of E‐ plants in a 48 h interval. Our results show that more Al can be sequestered on root surfaces and in root tissues of endophyte‐infected tall fescue than in plants devoid of endophyte. Aluminum sequestration was greater on root surfaces and in root tissues of E+ than E‐ plants of a given tall fescue genotype. Our results suggest that increased exudation of phenolic‐like compounds from roots of endophyte‐infected tall fescue may be directly involved in Al tolerance and serves as a mechanism for widespread adaptability and success of endophyte‐tall fescue associations.     

Biochemical basis for wheat seedling allelopathy on the suppression of annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum)

The chemical basis for wheat seedling allelopathy on the growth of annual ryegrass was investigated by the identification and quantification of multiple allelochemicals from wheat seedlings. Results indicated that 58 wheat accessions differed significantly in seedling allelopathy and inhibited the root growth of ryegrass from 10 to 91%, depending on accession. Analysis of allelochemicals by GC/MS/MS indicated that allelopathy was significantly correlated with the levels of measured allelochemicals in the shoots and roots of young wheat seedlings. Ryegrass root growth was also negatively correlated with the levels of p-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, and trans-ferulic acids in root exudates. Wheat allelopathic potential was negatively correlated with the levels of the eight known allelochemicals quantified in the shoots, roots, and water-agar medium, with multiple regression coefficients (r) of -0.61, -0.71, and -0.71, respectively. In comparison with weakly allelopathic accessions, strongly allelopathic accessions produced significantly higher amounts of allelochemicals in the shoots and roots of the wheat seedlings and also exuded larger quantities of allelochemicals into the growth medium. Wheat accessions with strong seedling allelopathy might be useful for management of weeds during the establishment stage, thereby reducing the need for commercial herbicides in early-season application.     

Effect of Increasing Concentration of Inorganic Phosphate (Pi) and Pyrophosphate (PPi) on Growth and Phosphatases of Germinating Chickpea Seeds

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) seedlings growing on different concentrations of inorganic phosphate and pyrophosphate in agar based MS-medium were studied for their growth and activities of phosphatases in cotyledon, shoots and roots. Growth of seedlings was affected with both Inorganic Phosphate (Pi) and Pyrophosphate (PPi). Germination was completely inhibited beyond 100 mM monopotassium phosphate (KH₂PO₄) and 20 mM sodium pyrophosphate. Specific activities of acid phosphatases of cotyledons, shoots and roots decreased under high Pi-supply however alkaline phosphatases were not affected. Addition of PPi increased specific activities of acid phosphatases of roots and shoots at 3 days after germination (DAG) stage, but decreased at later stages of seedling growth. There was an appearance of PPi-specific acid phosphatase in roots under PPi-supply.     

Sorption of benzoic acid onto soil colloids and its implications for allelopathy studies

The fate of allelochemicals in the soil environment largely determines the expression of allelopathy in the natural environment. In allelopathy research, the sorption of allelochemicals onto soil particles has been less well studied than their degradation. A study was carried out to evaluate the growth of cucumber (Cucumis sativus var Marketmore 76) and radish (Raphanus sativus var Crimson giant) in soil amended with 1, 5, 10 and 20 mg l^–1 benzoic acid as model allelopathic substance. Growth of both cucumber and radish was not inhibited in soil amended with benzoic acid. A labeled study indicates that sorption of benzoic acid onto soil particles increases with concentration. Benzoic acid isotherms of both soils were non-linear, with an N value of 0.875 for a garden soil and 0.891 for a garden soil + sand, and they may explain the reason for the limited allelopathic effect of benzoic acid at concentrations often recorded in natural soil.     

西芹鲜根浸提液作用后黄瓜枯萎病菌弱毒菌株的筛选

结合室内化感抑菌作用试验和温室人工接菌盆栽试验, 研究了西芹鲜根浸提液连续处理对黄瓜枯萎病菌菌丝生长的影响及病菌致病力的变化。结果表明, 在连续5代浸提液作用下, 50 mg·mL^-1的西芹鲜根丙酮、乙醇浸提液与其对照相比, 显著抑制了黄瓜枯萎病菌菌落的生长, 表现为化感抑制作用。50 mg·mL^-1的西芹鲜根蒸馏水浸提液处理只有在第3代培养过程中, 对菌落生长表现为化感抑制作用, 其他几代则既有抑制作用又有促进作用。温室人工接菌各代不同处理的黄瓜枯萎病菌进行菌株致病力测定, 并于1周开始发病后调查病情。结果显示, 连续5代继代培养后接种过程中, 西芹鲜根丙酮、乙醇、蒸馏水浸提液处理较其对照致病力降低, 表现为浸提液对黄瓜枯萎病菌毒力的致弱作用; 且随继代培养代数的增加, 病菌的致病力表现为逐渐降低。继代培养至第5代时, 丙酮浸提液处理的致病力为0, 表现为致弱作用最强。试验通过西芹鲜根浸提液的连续处理筛选到了黄瓜枯萎病菌的弱毒菌株。     

Strawberry recovers from iron chlorosis after foliar application of a grass‐clipping extract

Bare‐root transplants of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch. cv. Selva) were transferred to nutrient solutions with or without iron. After 35 d of growth, plants in the solution without iron became chlorotic and had morphological changes in roots typical of iron‐deficiency chlorosis (IDC). Acidification of the nutrient solution was also observed. We tested a grass‐clipping extract to correct IDC in strawberry plants by foliar application to some chlorotic plants. We also assessed the effects of this product on plant growth, Fe allocation, as well as morphological and physiological parameters related with IDC. After the second spray, leaf chlorophyll increased in the youngest expanded leaves. The total content of iron in plants increased from 1.93 mg to 2.37 mg per plant after three sprays, accounting for 80% of the total iron supplied by the extract. Newly formed roots from sprayed plants had a normal morphology (no subapical swollen zone) but a higher ferric chelate–reductase (FC‐R; EC 1.16.1.17) activity per root apex compared with roots from plants grown with iron or untreated chlorotic plants. Acidification of the nutrient solution continued in sprayed recovered plants. The results suggest an uncoupling of the regulation of morphological and physiological mechanisms related to IDC: FC‐R activity seems to be controlled by roots on their own or together with shoots, while morphological changes in roots are apparently regulated only by the level of iron in shoots.     

Neotyphodium endophytes trigger salt resistance in tall and meadow fescues

Infection with Neotyphodium spp. endophytes increases resistance to drought stress and soil mineral imbalances in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb. = Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) S. J. Darbysh.) and meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds. = Lolium pratense (Huds.) Darbysh.). We hypothesized that resistance of these grasses to salinity stress may also be attributed to endophyte infection. Two tall fescue genotypes, Fa75 and Fa83, and one meadow fescue genotype, Fp60, infected (E+) with their endophytic fungi, Neotyphodium coenophialum (Glenn, Bacon and Hanlin) and N. uncinatum (Glenn, Bacon and Hanlin), respectively, and their noninfected counterparts (E–) were cultured in nutrient solution at three salinity levels of 0, 85, and 170 mM NaCl. Except for genotype Fa75, E+ plants exhibited higher leaf survival rates than E– clones at a high salinity level (170 mM). Root dry matter was higher in E+ than in E– plants, but shoot dry matter was not affected by endophyte infection. This resulted in a lower shoot‐to‐root ratio in E+ plants (1.63) compared with E– plants (2.40). Sodium (Na⁺) and chloride (Cl^–) concentrations were greater in roots of E– than in E+ clones. In shoots, Na⁺ and Cl^– concentrations were not affected by the endophyte. In contrast, E+ plants accumulated more potassium (K⁺), which resulted in a greater K⁺ : Na⁺ ratio in shoots of E+ than in those of E– plants. Our results show that endophyte infection reduced Na⁺ and Cl^– concentrations in tall fescue and meadow fescue roots but increased K⁺ concentrations in the shoots. Based on these results, we conclude that endophyte‐infected grasses may thrive better in salinity‐stress environments.     

Bioaccumulation of Copper by Zea mays: Impact on Root, Shoot and Leaf Growth

In the present study, the growth and the Cu²⁺accumulation by roots, shoots and leaves of Zea mays were examined using copper sulphate in the range of 10^?4 to 10^?2 M. Plants of Z. mays did not show inhibition of growth in the presence of 10^?4 to 10^?2 M Cu²⁺; however, it was observed growth effects on root when different Cu²⁺ solution concentrations were used. Only the seedlings exposed to 10^?2 M exhibited substantial root growth reduction, yielding only 56% of length with respect to the control. Seedlings exposed to 10^?4 M Cu²⁺ exhibited 16% and 42% growth increase in shoots and leaves, respectively, when compared with the controls. The seedlings treated with 10^?3 and 10^?2 M Cu²⁺ were inhibited in shoot and leaf growth. The fresh weights in roots, shoots and leaves significantly decreased at 10^?2 M Cu²⁺. The tolerance index, based on root length, was not significantly different for the three different treatments with copper. However, the total accumulation rate was very low at 10^?4 and 10^?3 M compared to 10^?2 Cu treatments. The capacity of copper accumulation by roots, shoots and leaves of Z. mays plants increased concomitant to the copper concentration, arriving to 382 times more in roots, 157 in shoots and only 16 in leaves, all compared to the controls. Cu could be accumulated by roots, shoots and leaves when the initial concentrations were 10^?3 and 10^?4 M. However, when it was 10^?2 M, the metal could not be accumulated by leaf and shoot levels; the roots could increase their copper accumulation capacity three times compared to the control. Z. mays has potential ability to accumulate Cu without being overly sensitive to Cu toxicity.     

Characterization and quantitation of polyphenolic compounds in bark, kernel, leaves, and peel of mango (Mangifera indica L.)

The contents of secondary plant substances in solvent extracts of various byproducts (barks, kernels, peels, and old and young leaves) in a range of Brazilian mango cultivars were identified and quantitated. The results show that the profiles of secondary plant substances such as xanthone C-glycosides, gallotannins, and benzophenones in different byproducts vary greatly but are fairly consistent across cultivars. The free radical scavenging activity of the solvent extracts was evaluated using a high-performance liquid chromatography-based hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase assay and revealed dose-dependent antioxidant capacity in all extracts. Four (mangiferin, penta- O-galloyl-glucoside gallic acid, and methyl gallate) of the major phenolic compounds detected were also evaluated in additional in vitro bioassay systems such as oxygen radical absorbance capacity, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, and ferric reducing ability of plasma. Mangiferin in particular, detected at high concentrations in young leaves (Coite = 172 g/kg), in bark (Momika = 107 g/kg), and in old leaves (Itamaraka = 94 g/kg), shows an exceptionally strong antioxidant capacity.