ALLEVIATION EFFECT OF DIFFERENT RATIOS OF Al TO Ca ON Al TOXICITY FOR MORPHOLOGICAL GROWTH OF MUNGBEAN SEEDLING

Aluminum (Al) is one of the major factors limiting plant production in acid soils. Calcium (Ca) plays a very important role in the response of plants to salt stress. Little information is available about ratios of Al/Ca on the growth of mungbean seedlings under Al stress. Mungbean seedlings were grown in solution with combined concentrations of Al (0, 2, and 5 mM) and Ca (0–10 mM) in a randomized complete block design experiment for 16 days, to evaluate effects of the ratios on alleviation of Al toxicity for the morphological growth under Al stress. The results showed that Al0 + CaO significantly decreased the epicotyl length, seedling height, root length, fresh weight, and dry weight by 25%, 15%, 16%, 16%, and 16%, respectively, compared with a control (Al0 + Ca0.5). At 2mM Al without Ca in the solution (Al2 + Ca0), the epicotyl length, seedling height, root length, fresh weight, and dry weight were decreased by 26%, 12%, 12%, 14%, and 12%, respectively, compared with a control (Al2 + Ca0.5). At 5mM Al without Ca in the solution (Al5 + Ca0), the epicotyl length, seedling height, root length, fresh weight, and dry weight were also decreased by 16%, 8%, 4%, 9%, and 7%, respectively, compared with a control (Al5 + Ca0.5). At 2mM Al stress, with the ratio of Al/Ca = 1:2 (Al2 + Ca4), the epicotyl length, seedling height, and fresh weight increased 13%, 5%, and 15%, respectively, compared with the control (Al2 + Ca0.5). While at 2mM Al stress, the root length at Al/Ca = 2:1 (Al2 + CA1) and dry weight at Al/Ca = 1:1 (Al2 + Ca2) were shown to be increased by 4% and 5%, respectively. At 5mM Al stress, with the ratio of Al/Ca = 2:1 (Al5 + Ca2.5), the epicotyl length, seedling height, and fresh weight increased 12%, 4%, and 7%, respectively, compared with the control (Al5 + Ca0.5). However, the root length and dry weight with the ratio either of Al/Ca = 2:1, 1:1 or 1:2, had no ameliorating effect, but was shown to have a negative effect, compared with the control (Al5 + Ca0.5). This suggests that the alleviation effect and its extent of Ca on Al toxicity for the seedling morphological growth are dependent on characters, the degree of Al stress, and the ratio of Al to Ca.     

钙离子通过调节抗氧化酶活性保护NaCl对菊芋的毒害

The ameliorative effect of external Ca^2＋ on Jerusalem artichoke （Helianthus tuberosus L.） under salt stress was studied through biochemical and physiological analyses of Jerusalem artichoke seedlings treated with or without 10 mol L^-1 CaCl2, 150 mmol L^-1 NaCl, and/or 5 mmol L^-1 ethylene-bis（oxyethylenenitrilo）-tetraacetic acid （EGTA） for five days. Exposure to NaC1 （150 mmol L^-1） decreased growth, leaf chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic rate of Jerusalem artichoke seedlings. NaC1 treatment showed 59% and 37% higher lipid peroxidation and electrolyte leakage, respectively, than the control. The activities of superoxide dismutase （SOD）, peroxidase （POD）, and catalase （CAT） were decreased by NaCl, indicating an impeded antioxidant defense mechanism of Jerusalem artichoke grown under salt stress. Addition of 10 mmol L^-1 CaCl2 to the salt solutions significantly decreased the damaging effect of NaC1 on growth and chlorophyll content and simultaneously restored the rate of photosynthesis almost to the level of the control. Ca^2＋ addition decreased the leaf malondialdehyde （MDA） content and electrolyte leakage from NaCl-treated seedlings by 47% and 24%, respectively, and significantly improved the activities of SOD, POD, and CAT in NaCl-treated plants. Addition of EGTA, a specific chelator of Ca2＋, decreased the growth, chlorophyll content, and photosynthesis, and increased level of MDA and electrolyte leakage from NaCl-treated plants and from the control plants. EGTA addition to the growth medium also repressed the activities of SOD, POD, and CAT in NaCl-treated and control seedlings. External Ca2＋ might protect Jerusalem artichoke against NaC1 stress by up-regulating the activities of antioxidant enzymes and thereby decreasing the oxidative stress.     

有机肥缓解小麦铝毒效果的研究

以交换性Al为1.83［1／3Al3+］cmol／kg的淋溶型水田砂质土（低Al毒）和交换性Al为6.05［1／3Al3+］cmol／kg的黄筋泥（红壤,高Al毒）为供试土壤,研究了有机肥对缓解小麦铝毒的效果。盆栽试验（均有充足N、P、K基肥）结果表明,小麦（扬表5号）在这两种土壤上均发生Al毒。在前一种土壤上生育不良,减产约一半左右,后一种土壤上几近绝收。施用生产中常量猪厩肥（约22.5／hm2）,与施用石灰比较,在低Al毒土壤上,产量接近施石灰处理（90％～100％）,能基本消除Al毒;在高Al毒土壤上,同样表现出一定的解Al毒效果,但还不够明显,产量只为石灰处理的1／4。土壤测定表明,施用猪厩肥使交换性Al下降18.1％～38.7％。植株分析也表明,吸收的Al相应减少。土壤Al毒明显抑制小麦对K、Ca、Mg的吸收;对S则有促进吸收的趋势;对N、P、Fe、Zn的吸收影响不大。在Al毒土壤上施用猪厩肥,不仅降低Al的吸入,并可减缓Al对小麦Ca、Mg、K吸收的抑制作用,有利于体内营养元素间的平衡。     

Effect of Silicon on Plant Growth and Mineral Nutrition of Maize Grown Under Water-Stress Conditions

The effect of silicon (Si) on physiological attributes and nutritional status of maize (Zea mays cv. DK 647 F1) under water stress was studied in a pot experiment. Treatments were (1) well watered (WW): 100% of FC (soil field capacity), (2) WW + Si1: 100% of FC + 1 mM Si, (3) WW + Si2: 100% of FC + 2 mM Si, (4) water stress (WS): 50% of FC, (5) WS + Si1: 50% of FC + 1 mM Si and (6) WS + Si2: 50% of FC + 2 mM Si. In the control treatment, plants were irrigated to field capacity (100% FC). Water stress was imposed by maintaining a moisture level equivalent to 50% of field capacity, whereas the well-watered pots (control) were maintained at full field capacity. Water stress was found to reduce the total dry matter (DM), chlorophyll content, and relative water content (RWC), but to increase proline accumulation and electrolyte leakage in maize plants. Both Si treatments largely improved the above physiological parameters, but levels remained significantly lower than the control (WW) values except for electrolyte leakage and root:shoot ratios, which were higher. Only root DM appeared to show very little variation in any of the treatments. The concentration of Si in the plants was increased by Si addition into the nutrient solution. Water stress reduced leaf calcium (Ca) and potassium (K) of maize plants, but addition of Si increased these nutrient levels; Ca levels were similar to WW under the high-Si treatment, but K was lower. Root Ca and K were both increased by WS; root Ca was further increased by high Si (WS + Si2 treatment). Addition of Si to the WS treatments did not change root K. Results indicate that while application of Si may be one approach to improve growth of this crop and increase its production in arid or semi-arid areas where water is at a premium, this technique would not fully substitute for an adequate water supply.     

外源硒对镉胁迫下绿豆幼苗生理特性的影响

采用水培试验方法研究不同浓度Se4+(0.8,1.6,2.4,3.2,4.0mg/L)对Cd2+(10,20mg/L)胁迫下绿豆幼苗超微弱发光及幼苗叶片中叶绿素、可溶性蛋白质和脯氨酸的影响。结果表明,随着胁迫时间延长,不同浓度Se4+对2种浓度Cd2+胁迫下绿豆幼苗的超微弱发光强度均呈现先升高后降低再升高的趋势,0.8,1.6mg/L的Se4+对2种浓度Cd2+胁迫下绿豆幼苗的超微弱发光强度均有促进作用,但是1.6mg/L浓度的Se4+对2种浓度Cd2+的缓解作用最佳。随着Se4+浓度的增加,2种浓度Cd2+胁迫下,绿豆幼苗叶片中叶绿素含量和可溶性蛋白质含量均呈现出先增加又减小的趋势,当Se4+浓度低于4.0mg/L时,叶绿素含量和可溶性蛋白质含量均高于单一Cd2+胁迫下叶绿素含量和可溶性蛋白质含量,且在Se4+浓度为1.6mg/L时达到最大。在10mg/L Cd2+胁迫下,随着Se4+浓度的增加,绿豆幼苗叶片中的脯氨酸含量先增加后减小,当Se4+浓度低于4.0mg/L时,脯氨酸含量高于单一Cd2+胁迫下脯氨酸含量,且Se4+浓度为1.6mg/L时脯氨酸含量达到最大;在20mg/L Cd2+胁迫下,随着Se4+浓度的增加,绿豆幼苗叶片中的脯氨酸含量逐渐降低,当Se4+浓度低于2.4mg/L时,脯氨酸含量高于单一Cd2+胁迫下脯氨酸含量,且Se4+的浓度为0.8mg/L时脯氨酸含量最大。研究表明在试验浓度范围内,Se4+浓度低于2.4mg/L时,对10,20mg/L Cd2+胁迫下的绿豆幼苗的毒害均有缓解作用,且浓度为1.6mg/L时缓解作用最佳。     

喷施拉肖皂苷C提高黄瓜幼苗对抗干旱胁迫的生理效应

【目的】拉肖皂苷C(LG-C)与茶甾酮类油菜素甾醇化合物结构相似,都含有3-糖苷基-6-酮等活性官能团,表现出一定的油菜甾醇类植物激素的活性,且LG-C具有含量丰富、 制备简单及成本低的优点。但是LG-C对于植物抗旱生理效应的研究迄今未见报道,因此本试验研究了LG-C对干旱胁迫下黄瓜幼苗的生理效应,以期为LG-C后续的研究奠定基础。【方法】以黄瓜幼苗为试材,进行了喷施拉肖皂苷C(LG-C)的盆栽试验。设置了基质含水量分别为田间持水量的80%(对照)、 60%(轻度胁迫)和50%(重度胁迫)3个水分处理。以水为对照,在黄瓜三叶一心期,叶面喷施LG-C(0.05 mg/L),每株喷施20 mL,连续喷施7天。然后立即取样分析植株的理化性质。【结果】与对照相比,轻度干旱胁迫下,喷施LG-C能够使黄瓜幼苗叶片中可溶性蛋白、 游离脯氨酸、 可溶性糖含量分别显著提高21.06%、 41.75%、 29.65%; 叶片中叶绿素a、 叶绿素b、 类胡萝卜素含量分别显著提高26.83%、 13.33%、 23.21%; 叶片中超氧化物歧化酶、 过氧化物酶、 过氧化氢酶活性分别显著提高10.06%、 19.34%、 33.08%; 叶片中电解质渗透率、 丙二醛含量、 自动氧化速率和组织失水率分别显著降低10.16%、 30.68%、 22.48%、 9.69%。重度干旱胁迫下,喷施LG-C能够使黄瓜幼苗叶片中可溶性蛋白、 游离脯氨酸、 可溶性糖含量分别显著提高19.35%、 37.05%、 25.23%; 叶绿素a、 叶绿素b、 类胡萝卜素含量分别显著提高28.17%、 20.00%、 28.42%; 超氧化物歧化酶、 过氧化物酶、 过氧化氢酶活性分别显著提高6.03%、 37.10%、 30.72%; 电解质渗透率、 丙二醛含量、 自动氧化速率和组织失水率分别显著降低10.15%、 47.10%、 16.97%、 8.85%。【结论】喷施LG-C可通过提高抗氧化酶活性、 渗透调节物质含量、 叶绿素含量和保水能力来增强黄瓜幼苗的抗旱能力。     

荆芥幼苗对盐胁迫的生理响应

为探究盐胁迫对荆芥幼苗生理特性的影响,采用盆栽砂培试验,研究不同浓度盐胁迫(0、25、50、75和100 mmol·L^-1 NaCl)下荆芥幼苗生长、质膜稳定性、渗透调节、抗氧化酶系统、离子吸收和分配的变化。结果表明,随着盐浓度的增加,荆芥盐害指数逐渐升高,幼苗株高增加速率和比叶面积均逐渐降低,单株干重和叶绿素含量均呈先增加后减少的趋势,且均在25 mmol·L^-1 NaCl处理下达到最大;叶片中丙二醛(MDA)含量和电解质渗漏率均显著增加;可溶性蛋白和脯氨酸含量均呈先增加后减少趋势,且分别在50和75 mmol·L^-1 NaCl处理下达到最大,而可溶性糖含量则不断上升;超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性均呈先上升后下降的趋势,在25 mmol·L^-1 NaCl处理下达到最大,而过氧化物酶(POD)活性则持续下降。盐胁迫下,荆芥的根、茎、叶大量积累Na^+,但主要集中在地上部分,同时各部位K^+、Ca²⁺含量及K^+/Na^+、Ca²⁺/Na^+值均显著下降。综上,荆芥幼苗对盐胁迫极为敏感,但对低浓度的盐胁迫(25 mmol·L^-1 NaCl)具有一定的耐受性。本研究结果为荆芥的规范化栽培和抗逆驯化研究奠定了理论基础。     

PEG与SNP对低温下马铃薯试管苗相关生理指标的影响

研究了在4℃低温胁迫下,5%聚乙二醇PEG-6000和0.10mmol/LSNP分别处理,5%PEG-6000与0.10mmol/LSNP同时处理对陇薯3号马铃薯试管苗的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性和对丙二醛(MDA)、可溶性蛋白、游离脯氨酸及叶绿素含量的影响。结果表明,4℃低温下,PEG-6000和0.10mmol/LSNP都可以胁迫试管苗,导致其酶活性、MDA、可溶性蛋白、脯氨酸和叶绿素含量都有所上升,其中0.10mmol/LSNP可以显著提高上述各项生理指标,并在和5%PEG-6000共同处理时缓解PEG造成的渗透胁迫。     

冀东野生大豆(Glycine soja)耐盐碱性鉴定及耐性生理指标测定

为充分利用盐碱地资源,明确野生大豆耐盐碱生理机制,本研究对采集于冀东地区的349份野生大豆种质资源进行耐盐碱性鉴定,测定了高耐材料2010-12和敏感材料2012-34、2012-49在0、100和200 mmol·L^-1盐碱胁迫下的丙二醛、脯氨酸和可溶性糖含量、电解质外渗率以及脯氨酸代谢关键酶吡咯琳-5-羧酸合成酶(GmP5CS)、吡咯琳-5-羧酸还原酶(GmP5CR)、脯氨酸脱氢酶(GmPDH)及谷胱甘肽S-转移酶19(GsGST19)相关基因的表达量。结果表明,表现耐性等级1级的高耐材料有2份(Yong 2和2010-12),表现耐性等级2级的耐性材料有22份,表现耐性等级3、4、5级的材料各有80、77和161份。与CK相比,高耐野生大豆材料2010-12在盐碱胁迫下脯氨酸及可溶性糖含量显著升高,丙二醛含量及电解质外渗率无显著差异。在高耐盐碱野生大豆材料中,GmP5CS、GmP5CR和GsGST19基因表达量上调,GmPDH基因表达量下调。以上结果表明高耐野生大豆材料在盐碱胁迫下脯氨酸合成通路激活,脯氨酸含量升高,说明脯氨酸在野生大豆对抗盐碱胁迫中发挥重要作用。本研究筛选的高耐盐碱野生大豆材料可为培育耐盐碱栽培大豆提供优异种质。     

高温胁迫对扬稻6号剑叶生理特性的影响

以扬稻6号为试验对象,通过在人工气候箱中进行高温处理,研究抽穗期高温胁迫对水稻剑叶生理特性的影响,旨在深入探讨高温对水稻的伤害机理。研究表明：高温胁迫加速剑叶叶绿素丧失,使超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性以及抗坏血酸（ASA）、还原型谷胱甘肽（GSH）、脯氨酸（Pro）、可溶性蛋白质和可溶性糖含量明显降低,并使细胞膜透性和丙二醛（MDA）含量显著增加。说明高温可加速叶片衰老,并影响植物体其他内源物质的变化,且有可能进一步降低作物光合能力。     

硅作用下铜对小麦幼苗生理特性影响研究

通过水培试验,研究了在不同加硅量(0,30,60,90,120,150 mg/L,以SiO2计)作用下,铜(10 mg/L,以Cu计)对小麦幼苗叶绿素含量、抗氧化酶系统活性(SOD、POD、CAT)、脯氨酸含量、可溶性蛋白含量以及MDA含量的影响,结果表明:在加硅量(30,60,90 mg/L,以SiO2计)作用下,小麦幼苗叶绿素a含量、抗氧化酶系统(SOD、POD)活性、脯氨酸含量、可溶性蛋白含量的升高以及MDA含量的降低,减轻了铜对小麦幼苗的毒害作用;在加硅量150 mg/L作用下,小麦幼苗叶片可溶性蛋白含量的降低,MDA含量的升高,加重了铜对小麦幼苗的毒害作用。研究结果表明,加硅处理能够在一定浓度范围内缓解铜对小麦幼苗的毒害作用,从而为铜毒害的小麦区域增施硅肥提供理论依据。     

钙对水培青蒜苗生长、光合特性及品质的影响

在水培条件下,研究不同钙水平对青蒜苗钙含量、生长、光合特性及品质的影响。供试Ca2+ 浓度分别为0、 1.0、 2.0、 3.0、 4.0、 5.0 mmol/L。结果表明,青蒜苗的钙含量随钙浓度的升高而升高,在5.0 mmol/L钙处理下达最大值;钙浓度在0～3.0 mmol/L范围内时,青蒜苗的生长量、色素含量、净光合速率（Pn）、蒸腾速率（Tr）及气孔导度（Gs）均随钙浓度的升高而增大,钙浓度高于3.0 mmol/L时则随之减小;同时,假茎和叶片中大蒜素、可溶性糖、维生素C（Vc）、游离氨基酸及可溶性蛋白的含量也先随钙浓度的升高而升高,然后随之下降,在3.0 mmol/L钙浓度时达到最高,分别比不施钙处理最大提高50.3%、84.7%、92.7%、53.5%、69.4% 和66.1%、113.1%、105.8%、66.1%、60.1%。因此,钙能有效促进青蒜苗生长,增加叶片色素含量,改善光合特性,并明显提高假茎和叶片中大蒜素、可溶性糖、Vc、 游离氨基酸及可溶性蛋白的含量,且Ca2+ 浓度在3.0 mmol/L 时效果最佳。     

不同浓度Cr~(6+)处理下芹菜的铬累积量及生理特性

采用盆栽试验,研究了不同浓度(0、5、15、40、60mg·kg-1)K2CrO4胁迫下芹菜生物量、各器官中铬累积量和叶片Vc、硝酸盐含量变化及铬胁迫对芹菜游离脯氨酸(Pro)含量等生理特性的影响。结果表明:(1)在低浓度铬(5mg·kg-1)处理下芹菜生物量无显著变化,而中、高浓度铬(40、60mg·kg-1)处理下芹菜地上部和根部干重极显著降低(P0.01),根冠比升高,耐性指数(TI)下降。(2)不同浓度Cr6+处理下芹菜地上部和根部铬含量均极显著增加(P0.01),根部对铬有较强的滞留作用;不同浓度处理下各器官对铬的积累量均为:根叶茎。(3)随着Cr6+处理浓度增加,芹菜叶片中丙二醛(MDA)、Pro、可溶性糖、硝酸盐含量呈增加趋势;叶绿素、Vc含量及根系活力呈现下降趋势;可溶性蛋白含量在低浓度下升高,在高浓度下逐渐降低。低浓度(5mg·kg-1)Cr6+处理对芹菜未产生明显影响,中、高浓度(40、60mg·kg-1)Cr6+处理对芹菜生长发育造成一定伤害。     

Ca2+对皖贝母高温胁迫下抗逆生理指标及光合作用的影响

分析Ca2+对高温胁迫下皖贝母抗逆生理指标及相关光合参数的影响,探讨钙对皖贝母高温胁迫伤害调控的可行性。将室外同一环境条件下盆栽的皖贝母,分别叶面喷施5、10、20、30、50 mg/L的CaCl2溶液,然后置于35℃/25℃（昼/夜）,光强3 600 lx的光照培养箱内,进行高温胁迫处理,以常温25℃喷施蒸馏水和高温胁迫下喷施蒸馏水为对照,处理3 d后,测定皖贝母叶片相关光合参数、膜透性、脯氨酸含量、可溶性蛋白含量及SOD、POD活性。结果表明:高温胁迫下叶面喷施CaCl2溶液,可增强皖贝母叶片SOD、POD酶活性,提高叶片游离脯氨酸及可溶性蛋白含量,有效减少高温胁迫对细胞膜的破坏,显著降低相对电导率。同时,Ca2+处理提高了叶片中叶绿素与类胡萝卜素含量,提高了叶片光合效率。结论:叶面喷施一定浓度CaCl2溶液可减轻高温胁迫对皖贝母叶片的伤害。     

Boron-Calcium Synergically Alleviates Aluminum Toxicity in Wheat Plants (Triticum aestivum L.)

The effects of B and Ca treatments on root growth, nutrient localization and cell wall properties in wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) plants with and without Al stress were investigated. Seedlings were grown hydroponically in a complete nutrient solution for 7 d and then treated with B (0, 40 μM), Ca (0, 2,500 μM), and Al (0, 100 μM) in a 500 μM CaCl₂ solution for 8 d. The cell wall materials (CWM) were extracted with a phenol: acetic acid: water (2:1:1 w/v/v) solution and used for subsequent pectin extraction with trans -1,2-diami-nocyclohexane- N,N,N,N -tetraacetic acid (CDTA) and Na₂CO₃ solutions. Boron, Ca, and B + Ca treatments enhanced root growth by 19.5, 15.2, and 27.2%, respectively, compared to the control (pH 4.5). Calcium and B+Ca treatments enhanced root growth with Al stress by 43 and 54%, respectively, while B did not exert any effect. The amounts of CWM and pectin per unit of root fresh weight increased by Al treatment, whereas the Ca and B+Ca treatments slightly reduced the contents of these components. Seventy-four percent of total B, 69% of total Ca, and 85% of total Al were located in the cell wall in the B, Ca, and Al treatments, respectively and 32% of total B, 33% of total Ca, and 33% of total Al were located in the CDTA-soluble and Na₂CO₃-soluble pectin fractions. A more conspicuous localization of B was observed in the presence of Al. Aluminum treatment markedly decreased the Ca content in the cell wall as well as pectin fractions, mainly in the case of the CDTA-soluble pectin fraction. Boron + Ca treatment decreased the Al content in the cell wall and pectin fractions compared to the Ca treatment alone in the presence of Al. It is concluded that the B+Ca treatment enhanced root growth and, B and Ca uptake, and helped to maintain a normal B and Ca metabolism in the cell walls even in the presence of Al.     

Effect of nickel and grafting combination on yield,fruit quality,antioxidative enzyme activities,lipid peroxidation,and mineral composition of tomato

Soil contamination by heavy metals negatively affects crop productivity, besides representing serious threat to human health. Grafting tomato onto appropriate rootstocks may raise Ni tolerance through limiting heavy metal uptake by roots and/or its translocation to the shoot and by detoxification. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine the influence of long‐term Ni exposure (0, 25, or 50 µM) on crop productivity, fruit quality, leaf chlorophyll content, fluorescence, electrolyte leakage, catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) activities in leaf, proline content, membrane lipid peroxidation, and mineral composition of tomato plants cv. Ikram, either self‐grafted or grafted onto three rootstocks: Black Beauty, Unifort, and Maxifort. Significant reduction in yield was observed in response to an increase in Ni concentration with more detrimental effects at 50 µM Ni. The fruit dry matter and total soluble solids content increased under severe Ni stress. The depression of crop performance under Ni toxicity was attributed to a decrease in leaf pigments (SPAD index), efficiency of PSII, macro‐ and microelements, and increase in lipid peroxidation and membrane damage. Plants grafted onto tomato rootstocks Maxifort and Unifort exhibited higher chlorophyll content, photochemical activity of PSII, antioxidant activity of APX and GPX, lower accumulation of MDA, and a better nutritional status (higher Ca and Fe, and lower Ni) in the leaf tissues in comparison with self‐grafted plants and those grafted onto Black Beauty. Plants grafted onto tomato rootstocks Unifort and especially Maxifort could minimize the nickel toxicity by improving nutritional status and detoxification processes.     

Physiological Response Characteristics in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Medicago sativa</Emphasis> Under Freeze-Thaw and Deicing Salt Stress

Dongmu-1 Medicago sativa seedlings were used as the test material; the variation characteristics soluble protein, soluble sugar, malondialdehyde, proline, chlorophyll, and relative water content were studied under the artificial simulated freeze-thaw (10, 5, 0, ??3, 0, 5, and 10 °C) and combined with deicing salt stress and buffer. The results showed that freeze-thaw and high-salt stress conditions will lead to the damage in the seedling including the membrane system, lipid peroxidation, and severe dehydration. Because of the self-regulating system as well as a certain degree of resistance, the plants can accumulate plenty of substances such as soluble protein, soluble sugar, and proline so as to regulate the osmotic potential. The content of soluble protein, malondialdehyde, soluble sugar, and proline in different treatment groups rose first and then decreased within a freeze-thaw cycle, among which the content of soluble protein reached the maximum value at 0 °C (t3), 20.82, 18.96, and 17.97 mg/g, respectively. The figure for malondialdehyde and proline peaked at ??3 °C (t4) while soluble sugar content peaked at 0 °C (t5). However, during this period, there were no apparent regulations for chlorophyll content and relative water content in each treatment group. Beyond that, due to the different intensity of compound stress, the seedlings showed different adaptability, and the degree of changes in physiological indexes appeared to be combined freeze-thaw and deicing salt stress > single freeze-thaw stress > combined freeze-thaw, deicing salt stress, and buffer, illustrating that buffer can alleviate the degree of the damage from freeze-thaw and deicing salt stress on M. sativa seedlings to some extent.     

RESPONSE OF SALT STRESSED STRAWBERRY PLANTS TO FOLIAR SALICYLIC ACID PRE-TREATMENTS

Salinity has deleterious effects on plant growth and development through membrane stability, photosynthetic activity, protein content, and ionic composition; however, salicylic acid (SA) could restore these properties in plants. The objective of this study was to determine the ameliorative effects of SA as foliar pre-treatments on membrane permeability, proline and protein contents, chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll and ionic composition of strawberry cv. ‘Camarosa’ under saline conditions. Membrane permeability and proline content significantly increased and protein and chlorophyll contents significantly decreased by 6 mS cm^?1 application without SA treatment compared with the control (2 mS cm^?1) treatment. Membrane permeability decreased from 6.9 in 0 mM SA treatment to 5.2 by application of 1.0 mM SA under saline conditions and same to the control (5.2). Compared with 0 mM SA treatment, the average increases of proline and protein contents were 66.7% in 0.25 mM SA treatment and 62.2% in 0.1 mM SA treatment in 6 mS cm^?1 level, respectively. Chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll significantly increased by 0.25 mM SA treatments under saline conditions. The lowest and the highest chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll were obtained from 0 mM SA treatment (19.6 and 44.5 mg L^?1) and 0.25 mM SA treatment (28.6 and 52.9 mg L^?1) in 6 mS cm^?1 salinity level. Ionic compositions of leaves were significantly affected by salinity and SA treatments. Nitrogen in 1.0 mM SA treatment and P contents of leaves in 0.1 mM SA treatment significantly increased but Na and Cl contents of leaves significantly decreased by SA treatments in 6 mS cm^?1 salinity level. The results of this study were clearly indicated that the SA application on strawberry plants could ameliorate the deleterious effect of salt stress on membrane permeability, proline, protein, and chlorophyll contents. Therefore, SA treatment could offer an economic and simple application to salinity stress.     

RESPONSES OF SOME ENZYMES AND KEY GROWTH PARAMETERS OF SALT-STRESSED MAIZE PLANTS TO FOLIAR AND SEED APPLICATIONS OF KINETIN AND INDOLE ACETIC ACID

The study examined the effects of kinetin (KIN) and indoleacetic acid (IAA) applied as seed treatment or sprayed on leaves of salinity stressed plants. Five -week old maize (Zea mays L. cv. ‘DK 647 F1’) plants were grown in pots containing peat and perlite in 1:1 (v/v) mixture. Different treatments used were: 1) control (nutrient solution alone), 2) salt stress [100 mM sodium chloride (NaCl)], 3) 100 mM NaCl and 1 mM kinetin (KIN), 4) 100 mM NaCl and 2 mM KIN, 5) 100 mM NaCl and 1 mM indole acetic acid (IAA), 6) 100 mM NaCl and 2 mM IAA, 7) 100 mM NaCl and 25 mg L^?1 KIN and 8) 100 mM NaCl and 25 mg L^?1 IAA. In treatments 7 and 8 application was to the seeds, for treatments 3-6 it was applied to foliage. The seeds were soaked in KIN or IAA solution for 12 h. Salt stress reduced the total dry matter, chlorophyll content, and relative water content (RWC), but increased proline accumulation, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1), peroxidase (POD; EC. 1.11.1.7), catalase (CAT; EC. 1.11.1.6) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO; 1.10.3.1) and electrolyte leakage. Both foliar applications of KIN and IAA treatments overcame to variable extents the adverse effects of NaCl stress on the above mentioned physiological parameters. However, seed treatments with KIN or IAA did not improve salinity tolerance in maize plants. Furthermore, foliar application or seed treatments with KIN and IAA reduced the activities of antioxidant enzymes in the salt stressed-plants. Salt stress lowered some macronutrient concentrations [calcium (Ca) and potassium (K) in leaves and roots, phosphorus (P) in roots] but foliar application of both KIN and IAA increased Ca in both leaves and roots and P in leaves. Foliar application of IAA increased K concentrations in leaves of the salt-stressed plants. Foliar application of KIN and IAA, especially at 2 mM concentration, counteracted some of the adverse effects of NaCl salinity by causing the accumulation of proline and essential inorganic nutrients as well as by maintaining membrane permeability.     

COMPARISON OF OSMOTIC REGULATION IN DEHYDRATION- AND SALINITY-STRESSED SUNFLOWER SEEDLINGS

Plant dry matter accumulation rate (DMAR), relative water content (RWC), electrolyte leakage percentage (ELP), chlorophyll content, osmotic adjustment ability (OAA), and osmotica accumulation in leaves of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seedlings under different levels of dehydration and salinity stress induced by iso-osmotic PEG (polyethylene glycol) or sodium chloride (NaCl) were evaluated. Plants were subjected to four stress treatments for 10 days: ?0.44 MPa PEG6000, ?0.44 MPa NaCl, ?0.88 MPa PEG6000, ?0.88 MPa NaCl. Results showed that PEG and NaCl treatments decreased the plant's DMAR and RWC, and NaCl treatments had more severe inhibitory effect on the plants than PEG treatments. Leaf ELP in sunflower seedlings increased after NaCl and PEG treatments. However, leaf ELP under salt stress was higher than that under dehydration stress (PEG treatment). All stress treatments increased OAA in plant leaves. Leaf OAA was enhanced significantly as PEG concentration increases, while leaf OAA was less enhanced at higher concentration of NaCl. OAA of sunflower leaves under dehydration stress was due to an increase in potassium (K⁺), calcium (Ca²⁺), amino acid, organic acid, magnesium (Mg²⁺), and proline content. OAA of sunflower leaves under moderate salt stress was owing to an increase in K⁺, chlorine (Cl^?), amino acid, organic acid, sodium (Na⁺), and proline content, and was mainly due to an accumulation of K⁺, Cl^?, Na⁺, and proline under severe salt stress.