Multiple heat and drought events affect grain yield and accumulations of high molecular weight glutenin subunits and glutenin macropolymers in wheat

Spring wheat plants were subjected to water deficit and/or high temperature episodes at spikelet initiation, anthesis or both stages. The stresses modified the early dough stage and maturity, shortened the kernel desiccation period and caused grain yield loss. Plants subjected to stress at the early growth stages had higher grain yields than the non-early-stressed plants when stress reoccurred at anthesis. Concentrations of high molecular weight glutenin subunits in grain were up-regulated by the single early drought, the early drought combined with late heat and the double drought stress treatments, but was down-regulated by the early heat and double heat stress events. Concentration of glutenin macropolymers was increased by the single early drought episode, the single late drought and heat events, as well as the early drought combined with the late heat stress, but was reduced by the early heat stress and double heat events.     

Assessing the Toxic Effects of Nickel,Cadmium and EDTA on Growth of the Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacterium <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas brassicacearum</Emphasis>

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) play an important role in the biodegradation of natural and xenobiotic organic compounds in soil. They can also alter heavy metal bioavailability and contribute to phytoremediation in the presence or absence of synthetic metal chelating agents. In this study, the inhibitory effect of Cd²⁺ and Ni²⁺ at different concentrations of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, and the influence of the widely used chelator EDTA on growth of the PGPR Pseudomonas brassicacearum in a mineral salt medium with a mixture of four main plant exudates (glucose, fructose, citrate, succinate) was investigated. Therefore, the bacteriostatic effect of Cd²⁺, Ni²⁺ and EDTA on the maximum specific growth rate and the determination of EC50 values was used to quantify inhibitory impact. At high concentrations of Ca²⁺ (800 μmol L^-1) and Mg²⁺ (1,250 μmol L^-1), only a small inhibitory effect of Cd²⁺ and Ni²⁺ on growth of P. brassicacearum was observed (EC50 Cd²⁺, 18,849 ± 80 μmol L⁻¹; EC50 Ni²⁺, 3,578 ± 1,002 μmol L⁻¹). The inhibition was much greater at low concentrations of Ca²⁺ (25 μmol L⁻¹) and Mg²⁺ (100 μmol L⁻¹) (EC50 Cd²⁺, 85 ± 0.5 μmol L⁻¹ and EC Ni²⁺, 62 ± 1.8 μmol L⁻¹). For the chosen model system, a competitive effect of the ions Cd²⁺ and Ca²⁺ on the one hand and Ni²⁺ and Mg²⁺ on the other hand can be deduced. However, the toxicity of both, Cd²⁺ and Ni²⁺, could be significantly reduced by addition of EDTA, but if this chelating agent was added in stoichiometric excess to the cations, it also exhibited an inhibitory effect on growth of P. brassicacearum.     

Impact of pea growth and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the decomposition of 15N-labeled maize residues

A pot experiment was carried out (1) to compare C and N yield of different plant parts, nutrient concentrations, and root colonization between the non-mycorrhizal mutant P2 (myc ^?) and the symbiotic isoline Frisson (myc ⁺), (2) to investigate the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and growing pea plants on microbial decomposition of ¹⁵N-labeled maize residues, and (3) to follow the distribution of the added substrate over different soil fractions, such as particulate organic matter, soil microbial biomass, and microbial residues. Yields of C in straw, grain, and roots of myc ⁺ peas were significantly higher by 27%, 11%, and 92%, respectively, compared with those of myc ^? peas. The δ¹³ C values in the different plant parts were significantly higher in myc ⁺ than in myc ^? tissue with and without maize. Application of labeled maize residues generally resulted in ¹⁵N enrichment of pea plants. At the end of the experiment, the ergosterol concentration in roots of mature peas did not differ between the two isolines, indicating similar colonization by saprotrophic fungi. The decomposition of added maize residues was significantly reduced by the myc ^? peas, but especially by myc ⁺ peas. The formation of microbial residue C was increased and that of microbial residue N was reduced in the presence of plants. The insufficient N supply to soil microorganisms reduced decomposition of maize residues in the presence of peas, especially myc ⁺ peas.     

Effectiveness of different soil amendments to reduce the Pb and Zn extractability and plant uptake in soils contaminated by anticorrosion paints beneath pylons

Red lead (Pb₃O₄)‐ and ZnO‐containing anticorrosion paints in the past have been extensively applied to high‐voltage steel pylons which has led to heavy metal (HM) soil contaminations in their vicinity. Since pylons are commonly found on agricultural land, there is a potential risk of HM plant uptake. This is promoted by the fact that in contrast to the moderate total Pb contents (several 100 mg kg^–1) in three nutrient‐poor and acidic pylon soils the Pb amounts extractable with NH₄NO₃ were extremely high, reaching almost 20% of total Pb. A 18‐week field pot trial (three harvests in a six‐week interval) using Lolium multiflorum was conducted to study the HM plant uptake and the efficiency of the four soil additives, lime (LI), Novaphos (NP), water‐treatment sludge (WS), and ilmenite residue (IR) in reducing the plant uptake and NH₄NO₃‐extractability of Pb and Zn in the soils. Lead concentrations in L. multiflorum shoots grown in the untreated soils reached maximum values of 128 mg (kg dry weight)^–1. Novaphos was most efficient in decreasing shoot Pb (–90%) followed by LI (–78%) and WS (–73%). For Zn, too, LI (–82%), NP, and WS (both –66%) substantially reduced plant uptake. Ilmenite residue was generally only poorly efficient. The dry‐matter yield in the NP, LI, and WS treatments was significantly increased. While the relationship between Pb‐NH₄NO₃ and Pb‐plant was high when considering the three harvests separately (R > 0.93) a poor relationship (R = 0.63) exists over all harvests together. This was attributed to different transpiration rates affecting the HM flux into the plants, since the temperature regime changed greatly during the cultivation period. For Zn, no such close relationship between the NH₄NO₃‐extractable soil fraction and shoot Zn was found, most likely due to antagonistic effects from Mg which greatly varied in the three soils.     

Interacting effects of cation saturation and drying, freezing, or aging on the extractability of nonylphenol and phenanthrene from a sandy soil

Purpose

The structure and properties of the soil organic matter and its interactions with solutes may be altered by changes in soil chemistry and by the aging of soil. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of long-term aging and cation saturation of soil on the extractability and degradability of two hydrophobic xenobiotics in soil. In addition, it was tested if drying or freezing of soils can accelerate the relevant aging processes.

Materials and methods

The sandy topsoil was treated by either 0.1?M NaCl, CaCl₂, AlCl₃ solutions or water and samples were sterilized by ??-radiation and spiked with ¹⁴C-labeled nonylphenol (NP) or phenanthrene (Phe) at 10???g?g^?1 of soil. Samples were then used in four parallel experimental setups: (1) 9?months of aging under sterile conditions, (2) inoculation by native original soil with further 7?months of aging (bioaging), (3) drying and wetting or (4) freezing and thawing of soils. After different time intervals, the extractability of xenobiotics with water, cyclodextrin, and ethanol was investigated.

Results and discussion

During 9?months of aging under sterile conditions a continuous decrease of NP and Phe extractability and an increase of the non-extractable fraction occurred. During the 7?months of biologically active aging, the mineralization of NP was lower than of Phe while more NP remained extractable than Phe. In comparison to the sterile aging, the bioaging led to a less formation of non-extractable residues of NP and Phe. The long-term sterile aging effects on NP-extractability were also achieved by short-term freezing and thawing of the soils, while aging of Phe was better mimicked by drying?Cwetting cycles. The effects of cation saturation of soils on xenobiotics extractability were less pronounced.

Conclusions

Sterile aging, bioaging, freezing, and thawing facilitate the formation of the non-extractable fraction of NP and Phe in the soils. Different cation treatments alter soil properties, but the effects on aging of NP and Phe in soils were negligible.     

Preliminary Characterization of Extracellular Allelochemicals of the Toxic Marine Dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense Using a Rhodomonas salina Bioassay

Members of the marine dinoflagellate genus Alexandrium are known to exude allelochemicals, unrelated to well-known neurotoxins (PSP-toxins, spirolides), with negative effects on other phytoplankton and marine grazers. Physico/chemical characterization of extracellular lytic compounds of A. tamarense, quantified by Rhodomonas salina bioassay, showed that the lytic activity, and hence presumably the compounds were stable over wide ranges of temperatures and pH and were refractory to bacterial degradation. Two distinct lytic fractions were collected by reversed-phase solid-phase extraction. The more hydrophilic fraction accounted for about 2% of the whole lytic activity of the A. tamarense culture supernatant, while the less hydrophilic one accounted for about 98% of activity. Although temporal stability of the compounds is high, substantial losses were evident during purification. Lytic activity was best removed from aqueous phase with chloroform-methanol (3:1). A “pseudo-loss” of lytic activity in undisturbed and low-concentrated samples and high activity of an emulsion between aqueous and n-hexane phase after liquid-liquid partition are strong evidence for the presence of amphipathic compounds. Lytic activity in the early fraction of gel permeation chromatography and lack of activity after 5 kD ultrafiltration indicate that the lytic agents form large aggregates or macromolecular complexes.     

Accumulation of mixed linkage (1 → 3) (1 → 4)-β-d-glucan during grain filling in barley: A vibrational spectroscopy study

The accumulation of mixed linkage barley (1 → 3) (1 → 4)-β-d-glucan (BG) during grain filling at eight stages was studied using standard reference methods and infrared spectroscopy. Two mutant barley genotypes having higher (starch mutant lys5f) and lower (high lysine mutant lys3a) BG content than the normal control Cork were studied. The Cork and lys3a genotypes showed a linear BG accumulation throughout the grain filling to reach a maximum of approximately 6 and 4% BG (w/w) dry matter, respectively. However, lys5f mutant exhibited an exponential increase in BG synthesis to a maximum of approximately 18% BG (w/w) dry matter 30 days after flowering (DAF), seemingly compensating for a decreased synthesis of starch.     

Differences in need for hemodynamic support in horses anesthetized with sevoflurane as compared to isoflurane

OBJECTIVE: To study whether hemodynamic function in horses, particularly mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), is better maintained with sevoflurane than isoflurane, thus requiring less pharmacological support. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective randomized clinical investigation. Animals Thirty-nine racehorses undergoing arthroscopy in lateral recumbency. METHODS: Horses were assigned to receive either isoflurane (n = 20) or sevoflurane (n = 19) at 0.9-1.0 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) for maintenance of anesthesia. Besides routine clinical monitoring, cardiac output (CO) was measured by lithium dilution. Hemodynamic support was prescribed as follows: when MAP decreased to <70 mmHg, patients were to receive infusion of 0.1% dobutamine, which was to be discontinued at MAP >85 mmHg or heart rate >60 beats minute(-1). Statistical analysis of results, given as mean +/- SD, included a clustered regression approach. RESULTS: Average inhalant anesthetic time [91 +/- 35 (isoflurane group) versus 97 +/- 26 minutes (sevoflurane group)] and dose (in MAC multiples), volume of crystalloid solution infused, and cardiopulmonary parameters including CO were similar in the two groups, except heart rate was 8% higher in isoflurane than sevoflurane horses (p < 0.05). To maintain MAP >70 mmHg, isoflurane horses received dobutamine over a significantly longer period (55 +/- 26 versus 28 +/- 21% of total anesthetic time, p < 0.01) and at a 51% higher dose than sevoflurane horses (41 +/- 19 versus 27 +/- 23 microg kg(-1) MAC hour(-1); p = 0.058), with 14/20 isoflurane animals and only 9/19 sevoflurane horses being infused with dobutamine at >30 microg kg(-1) MAC hour(-1) (p < 0.05). Dobutamine infusion rates were consistently lower in the sevoflurane as compared to the isoflurane group, with differences reaching significance level during the 0-30 minutes (p < 0.01) and 61-90 minutes periods (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Horses under sevoflurane anesthesia may require less pharmacological support in the form of dobutamine than isoflurane-anesthetized horses. This could be due to less suppression of vasomotor tone.     

Mechanisms and regulation of calcium absorption from the gastrointestinal tract in pigs and ruminants: comparative aspects with special emphasis on hypocalcemia in dairy cows

Adequate blood calcium (Ca) concentrations are a prerequisite to maintain several physiological functions of mammals such as pig and ruminants. Thus, blood Ca levels have to be regulated within very close limits. This is basically ensured through the coordinated effects of the calcitropic hormones parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3). If plasma Ca decreases, one main effect of subsequently secreted PTH is the stimulation of renal reabsorption of Ca from the glomerular filtrate to reduce urinary Ca loss. Another important action of PTH is the induction of the renal enzyme 1 alpha-hydroxylase, which is responsible for the production of calcitriol. In most monogastric species, so far investigated, one of the most important effects of calcitriol is to stimulate active absorption of Ca from the gastrointestinal tract, particularly the upper small intestines, via a vitamin D-receptor-mediated genomic action. Whether this concept can be transferred without any constrictions to ruminants is still under discussion. Marked interspecies differences have to be recognized with respect to ruminant or non-ruminant animals, particularly with respect to individual segments along the gastrointestinal axis and with respect to vitamin D sensitivity of Ca transport mechanisms. This review will elucidate some of the current concepts related to the mechanisms and sites of Ca absorption in pigs and ruminants with special emphasis on dairy cows where Ca homeostasis is occasionally compromised at the time of parturition.     

High levels of pollen dispersal detected through paternity analysis from a continuous Symphonia globulifera population in the Brazilian Amazon

In this study, six highly polymorphic microsatellite loci and a categorical paternity analysis approach were used to investigate the contemporary pollen gene flow in the neotropical tree species Symphonia globulifera. Data for this study were taken from a 500 ha experimental plot in a dense terra firme forest in the Eastern Brazilian Amazon and included the mapping and genotyping of 161 reproductive trees, representing more than 90% of all adult trees, and the collection of 748 open-pollinated seeds from 56 seed-trees over two field seasons (2002 and 2003). High levels of pollen immigration from outside of the study plot were detected in both sampled seed-years (≥49%) suggesting long distance pollen gene flow. Low levels of self-fertilization were also detected (≤2%). The analysis showed long distance pollen dispersal occurred within the study area in both 2002 (δ = 907 ± 652 m SD) and 2003 (δ = 963 ± 542 m SD). Patterns of pollen dispersal distance within the plot were also found to be shorter than the distances between potential male parents and seed-trees. This result indicates that the distance between trees does not explain the identified pollen dispersal pattern. Our results support the hypothesis that animal pollinated species occurring in low-density populations can disperse pollen in long distances, despite the very dense nature of the forest.