pH of the Pod-zone Affects Reproductive Growth of Groundnut

Most of the sandy soils that are suitable for production of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in the tropic and subtropics are acidic. Whilst effects of pH in the root zone have been studied, the effects of pod-zone pH on groundnut productivity remain relatively unknown. To develop appropriate soil management practices for groundnut production on acid soils, it is essential to understand how low pH affects reproductive growth of groundnut. Consequently, a glasshouse experiment was conducted in which attached groundnut gynophores were cultured in solution at pH ranging from 3.0 to 7.0. Low pH delayed pod initiation, and resulted in almost no pod expansion at pH 3.0. Only 12% and 55% of the cultured gynophores developed into pods at pH 3.0 and 4.0, respectively, compared with 91–95% at pH ≥ 5.0. Pods produced at pH 3.0 contained no seeds and those produced at pH 4.0 had a hollow, dark colored area in the cotyledon. Normal seeds and embryos were formed at pH ≥ 5.0, and plumule development was faster at solution pH ≥ 5.0 than at pH 4.0. Pod and kernel dry mass were optimised (90% of maximum) at pH 5.62–6.69 and 5.65–6.78, respectively. Septate and non-septate pod hairs were formed at all solution pH regimes, but were denser and more persistent at the higher pH. Kernel calcium (Ca) concentration decreased with decreasing pH, and was highly correlated with solution pH. Thus, pod-zone pH has important effects on the reproductive growth of groundnut, emphasizing the importance of managing pod-zone pH.     

林(果)粮间作中树木枯落叶对小麦发芽期和苗期的化感效应

树木枯落叶对作物的化感效应是建设林(果)粮间作复合体系所要考虑的重要问题之一。本研究采用陕西关中地区常见的12种树木枯落叶经室内混土分解培养后的不同浓度水浸提液作为培养基质,进行室内小麦种子萌发和生长试验,探讨了林(果)粮间作树种枯落叶对小麦的化感效应。结果表明:(1)杜仲处理和元宝枫处理促进了小麦幼苗苗高生长,提高了CAT活性,却降低了根系活力;泡桐处理和杨树处理促进了小麦种子萌发和幼苗生长;花椒处理抑制了小麦幼苗根长、生物量、CAT活性和根系活力;核桃处理在高浓度时明显抑制了小麦发芽速度指数、根长、CAT活性和叶绿素含量;梨树处理对小麦发芽速度指数、根长和叶绿素含量表现为低促高抑;苹果处理提高了小麦发芽速度指数、幼苗苗高、生物量和叶绿素含量;柿树处理和枣树处理抑制了小麦幼苗根长和生物量;桃树处理和杏树处理对小麦种子萌发表现为低促高抑。(2)统计学主成分分析表明,整体上对小麦发芽和生长起明显促进作用的树种是泡桐、苹果和杨树,其次是杏树和元宝枫;整体上对小麦发芽和生长起到明显抑制作用的树种是柿树、核桃和枣树,其次是花椒和桃树;而梨树起到低促高抑的作用,杜仲则相反。     

Pelleting or Priming Seed with Calcium Improves Groundnut Seedling Survival in Acid Soils

A growth chamber experiment and a field experiment were conducted to investigate the effects of pelleting or priming groundnut seed with calcium (Ca), either as calcium sulfate (CaSO₄), calcium chloride (CaCl₂), calcium nitrate [Ca(NO₃)₂], calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) or Calcimax on growth of groundnut seedlings in acid soils. In the growth chamber experiment, Ca-treated and non-treated groundnut seeds were planted in acid-washed sand and watered with a dilute nutrient solution of pH 4.0 or 5.5. In the field experiment, the seeds were planted in an acid sand clay loam of pH [potassium chloride (KCl)] 4.8. Generally, pelleting or priming the seed with a Ca compound significantly reduced seedling mortality. Also, pelleting groundnut seed with Ca enhanced plant growth. An additional effect of priming was earlier emergence. The most effective Ca compound was CaSO₄ among the priming treatments, whereas CaCO₃ was the most effective among the pelleting treatments to reduce seedling mortality.     

Effect of aluminium and calcium on growth of wheat seedlings and germination of seeds

Two separate experiments were conducted to investigate the aluminium (Al) and calcium (Ca) effects on wheat seedling growth and on seed germination. Wheat (Tritcum aestivum L, cs Yangmai No. 5) seedlings were grown for a 15‐day period and treated with 0.5 mM Al with low Ca (1 mM Ca) or high Ca (5 mM Ca). The growth of seedlings was signficantly inhibited by Al. Supplement of Ca improved the growth of Al‐treated plants, increased dry matter weight of plant and leaf area, and decreased shoot/root ratio. This showed that Ca ameliorated Al toxicity in wheat. In experiments on seed germination, Al concentrations less than 2 mM in the germinating medium had little or no visible effect on length of shoot and root of germinating seed. The germinating rate of seed was not affected significantly by Al, when Al concentrations lower than 5 mM Al. The addition of 3 mM Ca did not increase the length of shoot and root and germination rate of seeds. Both pretreatments with 6 mM Ca and 1 μM GA had no significant effect on the length of shoot and root and amylolytic activity of Al‐treated germinating seeds. No significant differences were found in the total amylolytic activity in Al‐treated and control seeds two days and five days after germination. The results of Al and Ca effects on seedlings and seed germination showed that Al‐toxicity on germinating seeds was different from on seedling growth. The high concentrations of Al inhibit growth of roots and shoots of germinating seeds by other toxicity mechanism rather than interaction of Al with Ca and mobilization of carbohydrate reserves.     

Silicon stimulates initial growth and chlorophyll a/b ratio in rice seedlings,and alters the concentrations of Ca,B, and Zn in plant tissues

Abstract

Silicon (Si) is considered a beneficial element for plants due to the far-reaching benefits it confers, including enhanced growth, yield, and crop quality, as well as stress resistance. In this study, we evaluated the effect of Si during germination and initial growth (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5?mM Si) and during vegetative growth (0, 1, 2, or 3?mM Si) in rice (Oryza sativa) cv. Morelos A-98. Si did not affect germination but stimulated seedling height, root length, number of roots, as well as fresh and dry biomass weight of shoots and roots during initial growth. During vegetative growth, the application of 3?mM Si significantly increased the chlorophyll a/chlorophyll b ratio, but no major changes were observed either in growth or in concentrations of most nutrients, with the exception of Ca (which increased with 3?mM Si), and B and Zn (which decreased in the presence of Si). In conclusion, applying Si had positive effects during the initial stage of growth, increasing seedling height, root length, root number, and fresh and dry biomass weight. Under our experimental conditions, Si did not affect germination and vegetative growth, but increased Ca concentrations and decreased B and Zn concentrations.     

INTERACTIONS OF POD-ZONE PH AND CALCIUM CONCENTRATION ON FRUCTIFICATION OF GROUNDNUT GROWN IN SOLUTION CULTURE

Low soil pH and calcium (Ca) deficiency in both the root and pod-zone are important problems for groundnut production world-over on account of the light-textured nature of the soils suitable for its production. An experiment was conducted to examine the interaction of pH and calcium (Ca) supply in the pod-zone on reproductive growth of groundnut. Attached gynophores were cultured singly in solutions at three pH levels (3.5, 5.0, and 6.5) in factorial combination with three solution Ca concentration levels (500, 1000, and 2000 μM). Generally, low pH had an adverse effect on the reproductive growth of groundnut. Approximately 58% of the gynophores cultured in treatment combinations with pH 3.5 produced normal pods, compared to 94% in combinations with pH 5.0 and 6.5. In addition, both pod mass and seed mass were severely depressed in treatment combinations with pH 3.5 compared to combinations with pH 5.0 and pH 6.5. Increasing Ca from 500 to 2000 μM Ca at low pH had limited ameliorative effect on pod-set, pod mass and seed mass, whereas positive responses were higher at the intermediate pH of 5.0. A combination of high Ca and pH appeared to be detrimental to pod and seed growth.     

模拟酸雨对小麦种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响

以中性溶液（pH=7.0）为对照,研究了pH值为1.0,2.0,3.0,4.0,5.0和6.0模拟酸雨对小麦种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响。结果表明,小麦种子萌发和幼苗生长各指标随着pH值的降低而降低,弱酸（pH5.0～6.0）条件下小麦种子能够正常萌发和生长,种子萌发和幼苗生长各指标与对照没有显著差异（P > 0.05）;在pH低于5.0时,小麦种子萌发和幼苗生长严重受阻,种子萌发和幼苗生长各指标均显著低于对照（P < 0.05）;pH为1.0时,小麦种子则完全失去活性;不同pH值模拟酸雨胁迫对小麦幼苗生理指标影响较大,叶绿素含量、类胡萝卜素含量、保护酶（SOD,POD,CAT）和非保护酶（PPO,PAL）活性随酸性的增强呈降低趋势,而相对电导率和丙二醛（MDA）含量呈上升趋势。综合分析认为,小麦幼苗生长比种子萌发对模拟酸雨的响应更为敏感。     

壳聚糖对不同种源柠条种子发芽及其酶活性的影响

用不同浓度壳聚糖乙酸溶液分别对陕西省的吴起县和榆林市榆阳区两个产地的柠条种子浸种处理,以清水浸种处理为对照,调查种子发芽及幼苗生长特性,并测定了萌发过程中种子α-淀粉酶、脱氢酶、过氧化物酶、过氧化氢酶活性。结果表明,壳聚糖能促进柠条种子的萌发,缩短发芽时间;随着处理浓度的增大,各项发芽指标及各种酶活性先升高后降低,且不同种源柠条种子对壳聚糖浓度的反应不同。当壳聚糖浓度为0.5%时,榆阳柠条种子的发芽率是对照的1.2倍,平均发芽速率缩短0.9d,各种酶活性比对照显著提高,处理效果最佳。当壳聚糖浓度为1.0%时,吴起柠条种子发芽率比照提高13%,平均发芽速率缩短1.7d,各种酶活性比对照显著提高,处理效果最佳。当壳聚糖浓度达到1.5%时,对榆阳柠条种子的萌发有一定的抑制作用,而对吴起柠条种子萌发无抑制作用。壳聚糖对柠条幼苗的生长也有一定的影响,表现在幼苗的根长、苗高、干重、鲜重和叶绿素含量均显著高于对照,吴起柠条和榆阳柠条最佳的处理浓度分别为1.0%和0.5%。     

Effects of Sodium Chloride and Mineral Nutrients on Initial Stages of Development of Sunflower Life

Abstract

The effects of three levels of salinity [0, 50, and 100 mM of sodium chloride (NaCl)] and the addition of potassium, calcium, nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, manganese, and boron (K, Ca, N, P, Fe, Mn, and B) on seed germination and survival of Helianthus annuus L. plants grown in an inert medium were studied. Increasing levels of salinity significantly decreased germination percentage. The presence of NaCl affected seedling survival rather than germination. Nitrogen addition damaged seedling growth, especially in high saline conditions. Addition of some nutrients may alleviate the effects induced by NaCl. Calcium additions to the culture medium significantly improved germination percentage and seedling survival, which markedly decreased after addition of K and B under saline conditions. Iron addition, especially in the ferrous form, counteracted the effects of salinity on seed germination and seedling survival. Phosphorus addition showed detrimental effects on germination and especially in seedling survival; however, it benefited the surviving seedling's growth.     

Implications of Calcium Nutrition on the Response of Salvadora persica (Salvadoraceae) to Soil Salinity

Effects of Ca (Ca²⁺) level on the response of germination and seedling growth of Salvadora persica Linn. (Salvadoraceae) to sodium chloride (NaCl) salinity in soil were investigated. Salinity significantly retarded the seed germination and seedling growth, but the injurious effects of NaCl on seed germination were ameliorated and seedling growth was restored with Ca supply at the critical level to salinized soil. Calcium supply above the critical level further retarded the seed germination and seedling growth because of the increased soil salinity. Salt stress reduced nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and Ca content in plant tissues, but these nutrients were restored by addition of Ca at the critical level to saline soil. The opposite was true for sodium (Na⁺). The results are discussed in terms of the beneficial effects of Ca for plant growth under saline conditions.     

氮素对NaCl胁迫下甜高粱种子萌发及芽苗生长与生理的影响

为了研究NaCl胁迫下氮肥对甜高粱种子萌发及芽苗生长和生理特性的影响,探索提高甜高粱耐盐能力的措施,室内设置不同盐分浓度、不同氮源及浓度条件下甜高粱萌芽试验。结果表明:NaCl胁迫和不同氮源对甜高粱发芽和芽苗生长的影响各有不同。NaCl浓度对甜高粱种子萌发有显著影响,在甜高粱芽苗生长阶段,通过提高保护酶活性和渗透调节物质而增强耐盐伤害能力是有限的。100 mmol.L 1NaCl胁迫下,根系POD活性最低,而叶片MDA积累量、可溶性糖含量、POD活性最高,受盐害程度最大。没有盐胁迫情况下增加不同氮源及氮量对甜高粱根叶生理特性的影响差异显著,当氮浓度在20 mmol.L 1时,细胞受伤害程度最低,生长最好。不同形态氮源对甜高粱发芽和幼苗生长的影响差异明显,NH4Cl的促进效果优于KNO3。在100mmol.L 1的NaCl胁迫下,施加铵态氮或硝态氮源均可以增强甜高粱芽苗期的POD活性,减少MDA积累,从而缓解盐胁迫带来的伤害。研究表明采取适当的氮肥调控措施可以提高甜高粱的耐盐能力。     

Calcium and humic acid affect seed germination,growth, and nutrient content of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) seedlings under saline soil conditions

The effects of calcium and humic acid on seed germination, growth and macro- and micro-nutrient contents of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) seedlings in saline soil conditions were evaluated. Different levels of humic acid (0, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg kg^?1) and calcium (0, 100, 200 and 400 mg kg^?1) were applied to growth media treated with 50 mg NaCl kg^?1 before sowing seeds. Seed germination, hypocotyl length, cotyledon width and length, root size, shoot length, leaf number, shoot and root fresh weights, and shoot and root dry weights of the plant seedlings were determined. Macro- and micro-nutrient (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) contents of shoot and root of seedlings were also measured. Humic acid applied to the plant growth medium at 1000 mg kg^?1 concentration increased seedling growth and nutrient contents of plants. Humic acid not only increased macro-nutrient contents, but also enhanced micro-nutrient contents of plant organs. However, high levels of humic acid arrested plant growth or decreased nutrient contents. Levels of 100 and 200 mg kg^?1 Ca²⁺ application significantly increased N, Ca and S contents of shoot, and N and K contents of root.     

芥菜浸提液对豇豆连作土壤性质及幼苗生理指标的影响

为探究芥菜浸提液对豇豆种子发芽和连作下豇豆早期幼苗生长影响的生理机制,在盆栽条件下,研究不同浓度(0、10、20、40 g·L^-1)的芥菜浸提液对豇豆种子萌发及5年连作条件下豇豆幼苗生长指标、根系形态指标、叶片保护酶活性和土壤性质的影响。结果表明,高浓度(40 g·L^-1)芥菜浸提液对种子萌发和胚根生长有强烈的抑制作用,其中发芽率、活力指数、胚根长度和数量分别显著降低85.70%、82.66%、36.15%和46.54%;而低浓度(10 g·L^-1)芥菜浸提液对种子胚根生长有显著的促进作用,其中胚根长度和数量分别显著提高44.84%和80.82%。豇豆连作土壤浇灌芥菜水浸提液可不同程度地增加豇豆幼苗株高、茎粗、干质量、鲜质量和壮苗指数,在低浓度处理下豇豆生长指标分别显著增加60.33%、12.24%、85.87%、77.31%和50.82%;此外,豇豆幼苗根长度、根系表面积、根体积、根尖数等根系指标也均有不同程度地增加,其中以低浓度浸提液处理下的豇豆幼苗综合指标最好。芥菜浸提液处理还能促进幼苗叶片过氧化氢(H₂O₂)含量升高、以及抗氧化酶活性的提升,其中H₂O₂含量,过氧化氢酶(CAT)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)活性均随着芥菜浸提液浓度的增加而降低,过氧化物酶(POD)活性则相反,而谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性未表现出明显的规律;芥菜浸提液还可以提高土壤pH值,降低土壤电导率,以及提高土壤酶活性,其中蔗糖酶和酸性磷酸酶活性随着芥菜浸提液浓度的增加而升高。综上所述,不同浓度芥菜浸提液对豇豆种子萌发起着低促高抑的作用,芥菜与豇豆之间存在明显的化感作用;芥菜浸提液可通过提高豇豆幼苗的抗氧化酶活性和改善豇豆根系环境,促进豇豆幼苗生长,缓解连作障碍对豇豆幼苗的危害,从而提高豇豆幼苗的抗逆能力。本研究结果为缓解豇豆连作障碍提供了新的途径。     

Effects of phenolic acids on seed germination and seedling growth in soil

Summary It is commonly assumed that the adverse effect of plant residues on crop yields is largely or partly due to phytotoxic compounds leached from these residues or produced by their decomposition. There has been substantial support for the hypothesis that the phytotoxic compounds responsible for reduced crop yields are phenolic acids such as p-coumaric acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and ferulic acid. To test the validity of this hypothesis, we studied the effects of nine phenolic acids (caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, ellagic acid, ferulic acid, gallic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, syringic acid, and vanillic acid) on (1) seed germination of corn (Zea mays L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), oats (Avena sativa L.), rye (Secale cereale L.), sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) on germination paper and soil, (2) seedling growth of alfalfa, oats, sorghum, and wheat on germination paper and soil, and (3) early plant growth of corn, barley, oats, rye, sorghum, and wheat in soil. The results showed that although the phenolic acids tested affected germination and seedling growth on germination paper, they had no effect on seed germination, seedling growth, or early plant growth in soil even when the amounts applied were much greater than the amounts detected in soil. We conclude that the adverse effect of plant residues on crop yields is not due to phenolic acids derived from these residues.     

腐殖酸对NaCl胁迫下梭梭种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响

[目的] 探究腐殖酸对NaCl胁迫下梭梭种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响,为干旱矿区生态修复提供技术支持。[方法] 设置5个NaCl盐胁迫浓度,5个腐殖酸添加浓度,观测梭梭种子萌发以及幼苗生长指标,分析腐殖酸对梭梭种子萌发及其幼苗生长的耐盐性。[结果] 施用适量腐殖酸能显著提高种子萌发率,缓解梭梭种子萌发过程中的盐胁迫,促进初生根生长,降低盐胁迫对幼苗的伤害。在1.0 mol/L NaCl条件下,腐殖酸为700 mg/kg时缓解效果最好,与对照相比梭梭发芽率、发芽势、根长、幼根鲜质量和幼根干质量分别提高10%,11.12%,1.77 cm,4.84 mg和4.03 mg。[结论] 腐殖酸可作为干旱矿区生态修复中种子萌发和幼苗生长的一种盐渍土调节剂,具有较好的应用潜力。     

Autotoxicity of Phthalate Esters in Tobacco Root Exudates:Effects on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth

Autotoxicity is one of the major factors that impede continuous cropping. It is defined as the toxic influence of chemicals released from one plant species on the germination and growth of individuals of the same species. Here, in order to exam the autotoxicity of tobacco root exudates, root exudates were collected from tobacco plants grown both in cultural solution and on natural soil. Using ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled with triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry, main autotoxic chemical substances in the root exudates were identified. The autotoxic effects of suspected autotoxins on seed germination (including germination rate, germination potential, germination index, and vigor index) and seedling growth were analyzed. Dibutyl phthalate (or diisobutyl phthalate), dioctyl phthalate, and diisooctyl phthalate were identified in tobacco root exudates. It was observed that high concentrations (greater than 0.5 mmol L^-1) of each identified phthalate ester caused significant (P < 0.05) inhibition of tobacco seed germination and seedling growth. It can be concluded that phthalate esters such as dibutyl phthalate, diisobutyl phthalate, and diisooctyl phthalate in tobacco root exudates may play an important role in tobacco autotoxicity.     

Effect of Salinization of Soil on Growth and Nutrient Accumulation in Seedlings of Prosopis cineraria

ABSTRACT

Greenhouse experiments were conducted to assess the effects of salinization of soil on emergence, seedling growth, and mineral accumulation of Prosopis cineraria (Linn.) Druce (Mimosaceae). A mixture of chlorides and sulfates of sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) was added to the soil and salinity was maintained at 5.1, 7.2, 9.3, 11.5, and 13.3 dS m^?1. A negative relationship between seedling emergence and salt concentration was obtained. Seedlings did not emerge when soil salinity exceeded 11.5 dS m^?1. Results suggested that this tree species is salt tolerant at seed germination and seedling stages. Elongation of stem and root was retarded by increasing salt stress. Young roots and stem were most tolerant to salt stress, followed by old roots and leaves. Leaf tissue exhibited maximum reduction in dry-mass production in response to increasing salt stress. However, production of young roots and death of old roots were found to be continuous and plants apparently use this process as an avoidance mechanism to remove excess ions and delay onset of ion accumulation in this tissue. Plants accumulated Na in roots and were able to regulate transfer of Na ions to leaves. Stem tissues were a barrier for translocation of Na from root to leaf. Moreover, K decreased in root tissues with increased salinization. Nitrogen (N) content significantly (P < 0.01) decreased in all tissues (leaf, stem, and root) in response to low water treatment and salinization of soil. Phosphorus (P) content significantly (P < 0.01) decreased while Ca increased in leaves as soil salinity increased. Changes in elements-accumulation patterns and the possible mechanisms for avoidance of Na toxicity in tissues and organism level are discussed.     

干旱胁迫对窄叶鲜卑花种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响

[目的]研究干旱胁迫对窄叶鲜卑花种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响,为野生种驯化和种群恢复提供参考。[方法]以窄叶鲜卑花种子为实验材料,采用不同浓度聚乙二醇(PEG-6000)模拟干旱胁迫环境,研究干旱协迫强度对窄叶鲜卑花种子的吸胀速率、发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数和种子抗旱萌发指数及幼苗生长情况的影响。[结果]随着干旱胁迫程度的加剧,窄叶鲜卑花种子的吸水过程表现出急速吸水期、缓慢上升期和吸水平稳期3个阶段;其发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数和种子抗旱萌发指数及苗高、根长,苗重与胁迫强度均呈负相关;当PEG浓度达30%时,种子萌发完全被抑制。另一方面,种子群体萌动、萌发和出苗达50%所需时间随胁迫强度的增加而越发延迟,且各阶段对环境临界水势要求不同,出苗阶段最为严格,表明种子出苗过程对环境水分胁迫较为敏感,耐旱能力较弱。[结论]干旱胁迫显著抑制了窄叶鲜卑花种子的萌发和幼苗生长,也说明水分是窄叶鲜卑花种子萌发和幼苗形成的主导因素之一,在较干旱地区种植需要考虑水分的供给。     

Ontogenic variation in nitrogen fixation and accumulation of nitrogen in mungbean,blackgram, cowpea,and groundnut

Ontogenic variations in N₂ fixation and accumulation of N by the mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek), blackgram (Vigna mungo L. Hepper), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.), and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) were studied by a ¹⁵N-dilution technique. Pots filled with 7 kg of red yellow podzolic soil were used. Samples were taken 20, 40, 60, and 80 days after emergence which approximately corresponded to preflowering, flowering, early/mid-pod filling and late pod filling stages, respectively. During early growth (up to 40 days after emergence), the carryover of seed N accounted for a considerable fraction of the total plant N in the legumes, the highest being in the groundnut. With a correction for carryover, the groundnut derived over 45% of its N content from the atmosphere 20 days after emergence whereas the corresponding figures were 33% for the blackgram and about 28% for the cowpea and mungbean. Between flowering and early pod fill, there was a rapid increase in N₂ fixation in all legumes except in groundnut which showed highest fixation from 60 to 80 days after emergence. In the mungbean, N₂ fixation and uptake of soil N were insignificant 60 days after emergence while in other legumes these processes continued beyond this time. All legumes derived about 90% of their N from atmosphere by 80 days after emergence. However, due to considerable interspecific differences in total N yield the final amount of N₂ fixed showed an appreciable variation among legumes. It was highest in the groundnut (443 mg N plant^-1) followed by the cowpea (385), blackgram (273), and mungbean (145), respectively. The groundnut maintained nodules until the late pod filling stage while in other legumes, nodules senesced progressively following the mid-pod filling stage. During pod filling there was a net mobilization of N from vegetative tissues to developing pods in the mungbean, which amounted to about 20% of N in seeds. This mobilization was not evident in other legumes.     

Effects of Graphene Oxide and/or Cd<Superscript>2+</Superscript> on Seed Germination,Seedling Growth,and Uptake to Cd<Superscript>2+</Superscript> in Solution Culture

With increasing graphene oxide (GO) applications in industry and biomedicine, effects of GO on microorganisms, animals, and human health have been frequently studied; however, direct and indirect effects of GO on plants are seldom concerned. In this study, effects of GO and/or Cd²⁺ on seed germination, seedling growth, and uptake to Cd²⁺ were investigated in solution culture. The results showed that GO could quickly adsorb Cd²⁺ in solution, and the higher the GO concentration was, the lower the residual Cd²⁺ concentration was in solution. Rice seed germination, seminal root length, and bud length decreased with increasing GO and Cd²⁺ concentrations respectively, while the presence of GO could alleviate the inhibitive effects of Cd²⁺ on seminal root and bud growth compared with the single Cd²⁺ treatment. In maize seedling, fresh weights of shoot and root showed similar responses to the presence of Cd²⁺ and/or GO. Compared with the single Cd²⁺ treatment, root Cd concentrations were generally increased by GO in high Cd²⁺ solution (20 mg/L), while were slightly affected by GO in low Cd²⁺ solution (5 mg/L) independent of GO concentrations except for 100 mg/L GO. Shoot Cd concentrations were decreased by low GO (100 mg/L) while were increased by high GO (>?500 mg/L) independent of Cd²⁺ concentrations in solution. Moreover, significant interactive effects of GO and Cd²⁺ on root and shoot Cd concentrations were observed. This study indicates that GO can change the effects of Cd²⁺ on seed germination, seedling growth, and uptake to Cd²⁺ in solution through its adsorption on Cd²⁺.