Hydrochar and Biochar Effects on Germination of Spring Barley

Within the framework of climate change mitigation by sequestrating recalcitrant carbon in soil, biochar is considered as a promising soil amendment. Testing any such soil additives is vitally important, as they should not cause abiotic stress for plants due to chemical constituents they may contain. Thus, germination tests with spring barley (Hordeum vulgare) were conducted to assess phytotoxic effects of biochar, hydrochar and process‐water from hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) as soil amendments. Additionally, single‐component tests with substances found in process‐waters were carried out with cress (Lepidium sativum). While biochars generally had no effect on germination, hydrochars and process‐waters significantly inhibited germination. The dissolved organic carbon content predicted the germination‐inhibiting effects observed. Three compounds resulted in partial (guaiacol) or total (levulinic acid and glycolic acid) inhibition of cress seed germination, and three others (acetic acid, glycolaldehyde dimer and catechol) had a negative impact on growth. Phytotoxic substances in chars appeared to be mostly water soluble and volatile. Pre‐treatments of hydrochars and process‐waters (i.e. storage and washing) were able to reduce germination inhibition. While phytotoxic substances that are generated during HTC stay in the products, biochars from kiln carbonization of the same feedstocks had no negative effects on germination, likely because volatiles evaporate during the conversion. Our study highlights the importance of comprehensively testing carbonized products for their compatibility with agricultural and horticultural systems.     

Efficiency of a novel gametocide amidosulfuron on rapeseed (Brassica napus)

The efficiency of a novel gametocide amidosulfuron, 1-(4, 6-dimethoxypyrimidin- 2-yl) -3-mesyl (methyl) sulfamoylurea, was evaluated on rapeseed ( Brassica napus L.). Double application of 0.09–0.12 g/ha amidosulfuron at the uni-nucleate stage of longest buds and 12 days later, made 97.4–100% plants male-sterile in seventeen out of 20 cultivars tested. The shrunken anthers could not release pollen or produced only dysfunctional pollen grains that could not be stained by aceto carmine. The treatment also caused 10–30% reduction on seed setting in comparison to the controls. The purity of hybrid seed from crosses of 'C161 × Huaye' and 'Zhongshuang No.2 × Huaye' based on amidosulfuron was 99.8% and 100.0%, respectively. The results suggested that amidosulfuron is an efficient gametocide for B. napus .     

Aluminum toxicity in plants grown in solution culture

Abstract

Earlirose rice (Oryza sativa L. ) and Hawkeye soybeans (Glycine max L.) were grown in solution culture with A1₂(SO₄)₃ in concentrations of 0, 10^‐6, 10^‐5, 10^‐4, 10^‐3 M. Only at 10^‐4 (slightly) and at 10^‐3 M were there yield depressions due to Al. The threshold concentration of Al for toxicity was about 20 μg/g in rice shoots and about 30 μg/g in soybean leaves. The solution level necessary for these concentrations was 8 μg Al/ml. Plant concentrations which caused severe toxicity were 70 μg Al/g plant with 81 μg Al/ml solution. Most Al remained in roots, but leaves contained more than did stems of soybeans. The high Al decreased Fe, Cu, and Mn concentrations in shoots of rice and decreased Fe, Cu, and Zn in roots of rice. The high Al resulted in decreased Fe and Zn in leaves of soybeans. No Fe deficiency symptoms were present due to the high Al.     

Determination of Zinc Phytoavailability in Soil by Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films

Assessment of zinc (Zn) phytoavailability by the newly developed technique of diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) has started gaining more importance because of some advantages over routine soil extractants. A greenhouse study was conducted to determine Zn phytotoxicity thresholds and the phytoavailability of Zn to sorghum sudan (Sorghum vulgare var. sudanese) grass by DGT, compared with calcium chloride (CaCl₂) extraction. Treatments were five Zn levels and two soil pH (6.5 and 6). To obtain various amounts of Zn phytoavailability, soils having two different pH values were amended with zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄) at rates of 0, 150, 300, 600, and 1200 mg Zn kg^?1. Control soil (pH = 6.5) was treated with predetermined elemental sulfur to create different soil pH values (6). Shoot and root Zn concentrations ranged from 27 to 827 mg kg^?1 and 101 to 2858 mg kg^?1, respectively. In general, the Zn concentrations in shoots and roots were increased by increasing Zn concentrations and soil pH. Increasing applied Zn to soil decreased the plant biomass yield and increased adsorption of Zn by DGT. Calcium (Ca) to Zn ratios for all treatments except controls were <26 for shoots and <13 for roots. The CaCl₂‐extractable Zn and effective concentration (C_E) correlated well with plant Zn concentration. A critical shoot Zn concentration for 90% of the control yield was chosen as an indicator of Zn toxicity. The performance of DGT, CaCl₂ extraction, Ca/Zn ratio and plant Zn concentrations were similar for assessing Zn phytoavailability.     

Effects of Soil Factors on Phytotoxicity and Dissipation of Sulfentrazone in Canadian Prairie Soils

Studies were conducted to examine the effects of soil properties on sulfentrazone phytotoxicity and dissipation under laboratory conditions. The pH values of five soils from Saskatchewan were altered through acidification with hydrochloric acid (HCl) and alkalization with calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). The phytotoxicity of sulfentrazone to sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L. Beta 1385), determined using a shoot length bioassay, was reduced when soil pH was lowered and was greater when soil pH increased. Concentrations corresponding to 50% inhibition (I₅₀ values) obtained from the dose–response curves were correlated with soil pH, demonstrating the relationship between soil pH and sulfentrazone phytotoxicity. Dissipation of sulfentrazone was examined in soils incubated at 25 °C and moisture content of 85% field capacity. Sulfentrazone dissipation followed a two-compartment model, and sulfentrazone half-lives estimated from the dissipation curves ranged from 21 to 111 days. Half-lives were correlated with soil pH (R = –0.857, p = 0.014) and soil organic carbon content (R = 0.790, p = 0.034) but not with clay content (R = 0.287, p = 0.533). Soil characteristics, particularly soil pH and organic carbon content, affect the bioactivity of sulfentrazone and influence both sulfentrazone efficacy in weed control and its potential for carry-over injury to subsequent crops.     

Isophorone‐induced light‐independent lipid peroxidation and loss of cell membrane integrity

Isophorone (3,5,5‐trimethylcyclohex‐2‐en‐1‐one) is a plant‐derived volatile compound with strong phytotoxic activity. Here, we aimed to elucidate the mechanism of action of isophorone, and to this end, the effects of isophorone on shoot fresh weight, chlorophyll content, electrolyte leakage, and lipid peroxidation of Lactuca sativa L. and photosynthetic electron transport activity in chloroplast isolated from Spinacia oleracea L. were investigated. Isophorone induced light‐independent decreases in shoot fresh weight and light‐dependent chlorosis. In addition, increased electrolyte leakage and lipid peroxidation occurred under light conditions. However, the inhibitory activity on photosynthetic electron transport was unexpectedly low, and electrolyte leakage and lipid peroxidation were induced even under dark conditions. These results suggest that the inhibition of photosynthetic electron transport is not the main mechanism of action of isophorone and that the phytotoxic effects are mainly due to light‐independent oxidative damage and subsequent loss of cell membrane integrity.     

安徽省小麦药害的产生原因及防治

安徽省小麦药害主要采自于除草制药害．因此首先介绍了小麦除草剂药害症状,然后指出药害产生原因．最后提出预防与补救措施．为小麦的合理用药和增产增收提供了科学依据。     

农美利等除草剂对水稻药害的研究

通过盆栽试验明确了农美利等６种除草剂对水稻的药害症状及其发展过程。同时通过对不同影响因子的研究,初步探明农美利对不同水稻品种产生药害的差异较大,其中粳稻品种表现的药害重于籼稻和杂交稻品种;农美利和苯噻酰草胺对１～３叶期水稻的药害重于４叶期稻苗;农美利、苯噻酰草胺及骠马对水稻造成的药害随用药量的加大而明显加重;土壤上有薄水层时施药,可减缓农美利药害;高温条件下,农美利更易产生药害;农美利在不同土壤上应用,水稻受药害程度也有所不同;初步明确安全剂可减缓农美利药害的发生。