Allelopathic potential of Acacia melanoxylon on the germination and root growth of native species

Water extracts that were obtained from the flowers and phyllodes of Acacia melanoxylon were used to determine their allelopathic potential in relation to the germination and seedling growth of the native species, cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), and common sorrel (Rumex acetosa), as well as a general biotest specie, lettuce (Lactuca sativa), in laboratory bioassays. The flowers and phyllodes of A. melanoxylon were soaked separately in distilled water in a ratio of 1:1 (w/v) for 24 h in order to prepare the aqueous extracts. Distilled water was used as the control. The seeds of the target species were germinated in Petri dishes and counted daily for up to 7 days. The A. melanoxylon flower extract (100%, 75%, and 50%) decreased the seed germination of D. glomerata, R. acetosa, L. perenne, and L. sativa. The flower extract caused the most reduction in the germination index and germination speed in D. glomerata, L. perenne, and L. sativa. The mean LC₅₀ value of the A. melanoxylon flower and phyllode extracts in relation to the germination inhibition of L. perenne was 43% and 41%, respectively, 40% and 38%, respectively, in R. acetosa, and 53% and 41%, respectively, in L. sativa. All four concentrations of the flower extract proved to be more phytotoxic than the phyllode extract, reducing the root length of all four species, while the phyllode extract decreased the root length of L. perenne and R. acetosa at the 100% concentration. The L. perenne and D. glomerata grass seeds were more sensitive regarding germination, as compared to L. sativa and R. acetosa. The flower aqueous extract of A. melanoxylon was more phytotoxic, as compared to the phyllode aqueous extract, even at the lowest concentration (25%).     

RESIDUAL ACTIVITY OF PARAQUAT IN SOILS II. ADSORPTION AND DESORPTION

Glasshouse studies showed that low doses of paraquat inhibited the germination of Lolium perenne L. broadcast directly onto the paraquat-sprayed surfaces of a sphagnum and a peat soil, but that higher doses were necessary to produce phytotoxic symptoms on mineral soils, a compost and a loam. On all soils residual activity increased rapidly with increasing dose once the minimum phytotoxic dose was reached. On a sandy soil, residual activity increased almost linearly from the lowest to the highest dose applied. At 9·0, 4·5 and 2·24 kg/ha phytotoxicity on a compost was not affected by changes in the volume of application, but at 1·68 kg/ha and lower, reducing the volume from 562 1/ha to 281 and 112 1/ha resulted in increased phytotoxicity. Phytotoxic residues were eluted from paraquat-treated compost surfaces by percolating de-ionized water up soil columns but residual activity was not removed from the eluted surfaces. Surface irrigation of paraquat-treated surfaces with water previously percolated through columns of untreated soil reduced residual activity by 45%.     

Tolerance to paraquat-mediated oxidative and environmental stresses in squash (Cucurbita spp.) leaves of various ages

Paraquat is labeled for row-middle application on cucurbits, but drift to crop foliage is inevitable. Experiments were conducted to determine whether differential tolerance to paraquat existed among leaves of various ages in Cucurbita spp. (squash) and other plants, and to examine whether leaves tolerant to paraquat are also tolerant to other herbicides and abiotic stresses. Physiological responses to paraquat, including antioxidant activity, were investigated in squash leaves to identify mechanisms of paraquat tolerance. Although the level of paraquat tolerance differed by leaf age, cultivar, and species, the level of paraquat injury was lower in younger leaves than in older leaves in 14 of 18 squash cultivars and 5 of 12 other species tested. Cellular leakage and lipid peroxidation were consistently lower in the youngest leaf (leaf 4) than in the older leaves. Quantum yield and relative chlorophyll content were the same in all leaves of nontreated plants. Epicuticular wax content was higher in the youngest leaf than in leaves 1, 2, and 3 of cv. ‘Joongangaehobak’ and ‘Wonbiaehobak’. However, leaf cuticle content was not consistent with leaf ages. Differential leaf response to paraquat was partially correlated with the change in catalase, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione reductase activities in nontreated and treated leaves. The APX activity in the youngest leaf was generally 2 times higher than in leaves 1-3 in both nontreated and treated plants. Ascorbate antioxidant levels were also higher in the youngest leaf than those in leaves 1-3. Leaves tolerant to paraquat were also tolerant to diquat and to abiotic stresses, low temperature and drought. However, tolerance to oxyfluorfen, which has a different mode of action than paraquat and diquat, was higher in older than in younger leaves. Higher tolerance to paraquat-mediated oxidative and abiotic stresses in young leaves of most squash cultivars might contribute to the differential prevention of oxidative damage in leaves of various ages.     

Effects of ferrous iron (Fe) on the germination and root elongation of paddy rice and weeds

Laboratory experiments were conducted to analyze the iron (Fe) tolerance of paddy weeds and rice varieties (Oryza sativa) for germination and root elongation. Under a waterlogged soil condition, the Fe(II) content in a soil solution increased with an increase in the ratio of rice straw to the soil. In the presence of 0.9% (w/w) straw to soil, which corresponds approximately to 8 t of straw applied to an area of 1 ha × 10 cm depth in the field, ～80 mg L^?1 of Fe(II) was produced in the soil solution. Based on this result, the seeds of rice and the weeds were incubated in a solution with <100 mg L^?1 of Fe(II). The presence of 100 mg L^?1 of Fe(II) suppressed the germination of Echinochloa crus‐galli var. crus‐galli, Cyperus serotinus, Cyperus difformis, and Monochoria korsakowii. However, it had no effect on the germination of Echinochloa oryzicola, Schoenoplectus juncoides (= Scirpus juncoides var. ohwianus), and Monochoria vaginalis. This level of Fe tolerance was the same as that of rice. These findings suggest that E. oryzicola, S. juncoides, and M. vaginalis can grow under more severe conditions than E. crus‐galli, C. serotinus, C. difformis, and M. korsakowii. In relation to seminal root elongation, the order of tolerance of Fe toxicity was O. sativa cv. Dunghan Shali > O. sativa cv. Hoshinoyume > E. oryzicola > M. vaginalis > S. juncoides. Thus, the results show that the tolerance of rice is greater than that of E. oryzicola, which had a comparatively strong tolerance among the weeds examined, and also that there are differences in tolerance among the rice varieties. These findings suggest that the difference in Fe tolerance is involved in weed control systems when organic materials are applied. If this difference is an important factor in the weed control system, Fe‐tolerant rice varieties, like cv. D. Shali, could facilitate weed control systems due to their higher Fe tolerance ability.     

Inactivation of Paraquat by an Aqueous Extract of Rehmannia glutinosa

Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) Libosch. ex Fisch. & Mey. was very tolerant to paraquat (1,1′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium). The paraquat concentration required to reduce dry weight of R. glutinosa by 50% (GR₅₀) was 24 mM , whereas a similar effect was obtained with 0·75 mM in Zea mays L. (maize, cv. Dekalb) and Glycine max (L.) Merr. (soybean, cv. Kwangkyo). When 1·5 mM paraquat in 10% aqueous extract of R. glutinosa was applied to maize and soybean, growth inhibition reached 24% and 7%, respectively, of the untreated control. Decreased activity of paraquat due to the extract also occurred in both leaf discs and chloroplasts of soybean. The total amount of [¹⁴C]paraquat absorbed into soybean leaves after 48 h was 34%, but it was reduced to 17% when the extract was added. Translocation of [¹⁴C]paraquat was also inhibited in the presence of the extract. In thin-layer chromatography (TLC) analysis using various solvent systems, R_f values of [¹⁴C]paraquat with the extract differed from those without the extract. The results suggested that the aqueous extract of R. glutinosa contained a substance which could nullify paraquat activity. © 1997 SCI.     

苦荞种质资源萌发期抗旱性综合评价

以PEG-6000为渗透剂对110份苦荞种质资源进行模拟干旱处理,研究了苦荞种子在0、5%、10%、15%、20%的PEG-6000溶液胁迫下的萌发情况,分析了种子的相对发芽势、相对发芽率、相对萌发指数、相对胚根长和相对胚根粗和萌发耐旱指数的变化。结果表明：15% PEG-6000可以作为苦荞种子萌发期耐旱性鉴定的适宜浓度;通过主成分分析法确定了相对发芽势、相对发芽率、相对萌发指数为关键指标,利用隶属函数结合权重分析法得到了萌发期苦荞种质资源耐旱性的综合评价值D。根据D值排序,筛选鉴定到耐旱型5份、较耐旱型28份、中间型48份、敏感型29份。通过聚类分析将110份苦荞种质资源划分为5个亚群,亚群Ⅰ是一类耐旱能力较强的亚群,亚群Ⅱ和亚群Ⅲ为中度耐旱亚群,亚群Ⅳ和亚群Ⅴ为典型的旱敏感亚群。     

Germination of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plasmodiophora brassicae</Emphasis> resting spores stimulated by a non-host plant

Plant-induced germination of Plasmodiophora brassicae resting spores was studied in a laboratory experiment. Spore reaction was analysed in nutrient solution with exudates from growing roots of different plant species – one host plant (Brassica rapa var. pekinensis) and four non-host plants (Lolium perenne, Allium porrum, Secale cereale and Trifolium pratense) – and in controls with distilled water and nutrient solution. It was found that root exudates from L. perenne stimulated spore germination more than exudates from the other plants, including those from the host plant. The effect could not be explained by differences in the nutritional composition of the solutions due to differential uptake of the plant species, or by differences in root activity, measured as exudation of soluble sugars. This is the first time such a separation of factors has been done in analysing the influence of plants on P. brassicae germination. Although stimulation of P. brassicae resting spore germination is not restricted to the presence of host plants, it seems to vary depending on the plant species.     

AVAILABILITY TO PLANTS OF PARAQUAT ADSORBED ON SOIL OR SPRAYED ON VEGETATION*

Summary. Paraquat adsorbed on peat soils was available to plants in amounts as low as l/25th of their Strong Adsorption Capacity (SAG). In Begbroke soil the paraquat was available to plants only near the SAG. Paraquat sprayed at usual doses on the surface of peat soils and not incorporated reduced growth of seedlings of Lolium perenne L. placed on the surface. Seeds sown 6 mm below a sprayed surface were only affected in one soil at a high rate of application. Hypocotyl uptake of adsorbed paraquat took place only with applications of more than 82 kg/ha in a peat soil and 230 kg/ha in Begbroke soil. Paraquat on litter of sprayed plants was found to be available to plants through root uptake. Living leaves can also adsorb paraquat from sprayed leaves if they are in contact. Disponibilité our les plantes du paraquat adsorbé sur le sol ou appliqué sur la végitation Résumé. Le paraquat adsorbé sur des sols tourbeux fut disponible pour les plantes en quantités n'atteignant que 1/25 de leur capacité brute d'adsorption (GBA). Dans le sol de Begbroke, le paraquat ne fut disponible pour les plantes qu'au voisinage de la CBA. Le paraquat appliqué aux doses usuelles à la surface de sols toturbeux, et non incorporé, réduisit la croissance des plantules de ray-grass placées sur cette surface. Les semences semées á 6 mm de profondeur sous une surface traitée furent affectées dans un sol seulement et á une dose d'application élevée. L'absorption par I'hypocotyle de paraquat adsorbé se produisit seulement avec des applications à des doses supéieures à 82 kg/ha dans un sol tourbeux et 230 kg/ha dans un sol de Begbroke. Le paraquat sur une litiére de plantes traitées se montra disponible pour les plantes par absorption racinaire. Les feuilles vivantes peuvent aussi adsorber le paraquat de feuilles traitées si elles sont en contact avec elles. Pflanzenverfugbarkeit von im Boden adsorbiertem oder auf PJlanzen gespritztem Paraquat Zusammenfassung. Im Moorboden adsorbiertes Paraquat war fur Pflanzen verfügbar in Mengen um 1/25 der Kapazität zur festen Adsorption (Strong Adsorption Capacity, SAG). In Begbroke-Böden war Paraquat für Pflanzen nur ungefähr in der Höhe des SAG verfügbar. In normalen Aufwandmengen atif die Oberfläche von Moorboden gespritztes und nicht eingearbeitetes Paraquat verminderte das Wachstum von Keimpflanzen von atif der Oberfläche ausgesätem Lolium perenne L. Scchs Millimeter unterhalb der Ober-flache eingesáte Samen wurden nur in einem Boden bei hoher Herbizidkonzentration beeinflusst. Hypocotyle Aufnahme von adsorbiertem Paraquat erfolgte nur bei Aufwandmengen von mehr als 82 kg/ha in Moorböden und 230 kg/ha in Begbroke-Boden. Paraquat an Rückständen von behandelten Pflanzen war durch Wurzelaufnahmc für andere Pflanzen verfügbar. Ausserdem können lebende Blatter Paraquat von behandelten Blättern adsorbieren, sofern sie in Kontakt mit dicaen stehen.     

Variation in ethofumesate tolerance in Lolium species and cultivars

The ethofumesate tolerances of seventy cultivars of Lolium perenne L., L. multiflorum Lam. and L. x hybridum Hausskn. were investigated by growing seedlings in a glasshouse in a potting compost treated with a critical level of the herbicide. The incidence of seedling deformity and death varied among cultivars, and was generally higher in diploids than in tetraploids, and in L. perenne than in L. multiflorum. Cv. Palaver was outstandingly tolerant. Eight cultivars were re-tested in pre- and post-emergence field experiments and relative tolerances were similar to those observed in the glasshouse. At the recommended doses for selective weed control, ethofumesate caused some seedling death in susceptible varieties in the pre-emergence experiment, and both seedling death and reduced herbage production in the post-emergence experiment. It is concluded that both varietal genotype and environmental factors contribute to the risk of ethofumesate damage in the field.     

DISTRIBUTION AND BREAKDOWN OF PARAQUAT IN SOIL

Summary. The degradation of paraquat dichloride in soil by Lipomyces starkeyi Lod. and Rij, was investigated spectrophotometrically and by ¹⁴C-labelled carbon dioxide emission. Breakdown occurred within the first 96 hr of incubation in cultures of soil of high organic content. Adsorption isotherms showed that soils rich in organic matter had a greater total adsorption of paraquat from solutions of concentration in excess of 250 ppm. Soil high in organic matter was fractionated by ultrasonic disintegration into its organic and inorganic components. Paraquat degradation occurred in cultures containing the former but not the latter. Slow transfer of ¹⁴C-labelled paraquat adsorbed on the organic components was shown to take place through a dialysis membrane to the much stronger adsorption sites on the inorganic components placed outside the membrane. It appears that decomposition of paraquat in soil by L. starkeyi occurs while the herbicide is weakly adsorbed on the organic soil components. Over a period of time (96 hr in one instance), slow transfer to the inorganic soil components rendered the paraquat unavailable for microbial degradation. Dispersion et decomposition du paraquat dans le sol Résumé. La décomposition du paraquat-dichlorure dans le sol par Lipomyces starkeyi Lod. ci Rij a étéétudiée par spectrophotométrie et par l'émission de gaz carbonique marqué au ¹⁴C. La décomposition survint durant les premières 96 heures d’incubation dans les cultures de sols à forte teneur en matière organique. Les isothermes d'adsorption montrè-rent que les sols riches en matière organique présentaient une d'adsorption totale du paraquat plus grande à partir de solutions dont la concentration dépassait 250 ppm. Les sols à forte teneur en matière organique furent fractionnés par désintégration aux ultra-sons en leurs composants organiques et minéraux. La dégradation du paraquat se manifesta dans les cultures contenant les premiers, mais pas dans celies contentant les seconds. Une lente migration du paraquat marqué au ¹⁴C adsorbé sur les composants organiques fut observée par dialyse à travers une membrane vers les lieux de plus forte adsorption dans les composants minéraux placés de l'autre côté de la membrane. II apparait que la décomposition du paraquat dans le sol par L. starkeyi se manifeste lorsque l'herbicide est faiblement adsorbé sur les composants organiques du sol. Au-delà d'une certaine durée (96 heures dans un cas) la lente migration vers les composants minéraux du sol mit le paraquat à l'abri de la dégradation microbienne. Verteilung und Abbau von Paraquat im Boden Zusammenfassung. Der Abbau von Paraquat-chlorid im Boden durch Lipomyces starkeyi Lod, und Rij wurde sowohl spektrophotometrisch als auch durch Messung der ¹⁴C-Kohlendioxydabgabe untersucht, Der Abbau erfolgte innerhalb der ersten 96 Stunden nach dcr Inkubation in Bodenkulturen mit hohem organischem Anteil. Die Adsorptions-isotherm en zeigten, dass Boden mit hohem Anteil an organischer Substanz mehr Paraquat aus einer Lösung mit einer Konzentration von mehr als 250 ppm adsorbierten. Boden mit hohem Anteil an organischer Substanz wurde durch Ultraschalldesintegration in seine organischen und anorganischen Bestandteilv zcrlegt. Abbau von Paraquat erfolgte in Kulturcn mit den organischen Bestand teil en, nicht jedoch in Kulturen mit anorganischen. Durch eine Dialysemembran erfolgte ein langsamer Ubertritt von ¹⁴C-markiertem Paraquat, das an die organischen Bestandteile adsorbiert war, an die viel starker adsorbierenden anorganischen Bestaudteile, die sich ausserhatb der Membran befanden. Bei schwacher Adsorption des Herbizids an organische Bod en best and teile erfolgt offensichtlich ein Abbau von Paraquat durch L. starkeyi. Mit der Zeit (in einem Fall innerhalb von 96 Stunden) wird Paraquat durch einen langsamen Ubertritt an die anorganischen Bodenbestandteile fiir Mikroorganismen unzuganglich.     

RESIDUAL ACTIVITY OF PARAQUAT IN SOILS I. FACTORS AFFECTING PERSISTENCE

Summary. Phytotoxic residues were recorded on soil surfaces sprayed with paraquat (1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridylium-2 A ) at 1 and 2 Ib/ac a.i. Phytotoxicity was greater on organic than on mineral soils though on both the residues persisted unchanged for at least 14 days and were greater with the higher dose.
Germination of Brassica napus L. was only slightly affected and most seedlings did not show phytotoxic symptoms until after cotyledon expansion. The cotyledons of Trifolium repens L. showed symptoms on emergence from the testa. By contrast, grains of Lolium perenne L. either failed to germinate on paraquat-treated soils or showed reduced germination.
Seedlings of T. repens were susceptible; both root and shoot systems were affected as they grew through layers of soil previously treated with paraquat. Ground limestone appeared to reduce the phytotoxicity of paraquat under some circumstances. Phytotoxic residues were not reduced by surface irrigation but disappeared if the soil surface was disturbed mechanically.     

Influence of native endophytic bacteria on the growth and bacterial crown rot tolerance of papaya (Carica papaya)

The native plant microbiome is composed of diverse microbial communities that influence overall plant health, with some species known to promote plant growth and pathogen resistance. Here, we show the antibacterial and growth promoting activities of autoclaved culture metabolites (ACM) from native endophytic bacteria (NEB). These NEB were isolated from a papaya cultivar (var. Cariflora) that is tolerant to bacterial crown rot (BCR) caused by Erwinia mallotivora. In this cultivar, bacterial colonization in tissues recovering from the disease was observed before onset of tissue regeneration or ‘regrowth’. We further isolated and characterized these bacteria and were able to identify two culturable stem NEB related to plant endophytic genera Kosakonia sp. (ex. Enterobacter sp., isolate EBW), and to Sphingomonas sp. (isolate EBY). We also identified root NEB under genus Bacillus (isolates BN, BS, and BT). Inhibition assays indicated that ACM from these NEB promptly (within 18-30 h) and efficiently inhibited (60–65% reduction) E. mallotivora proliferation in vitro. When surface-sterilized papaya seeds were soaked in ACM from isolates EBY and EBW, germination was variably retarded (20–60% reduction) depending on plant genotype, but plant biomass accumulation was significantly stimulated, at around two-fold increase. Moreover, greenhouse experiments show that ACM from all isolates, especially isolate EBW, significantly reduced BCR incidence and severity in a susceptible genotype (var. Solo), at around two-fold. In general, our observations of pathogen antagonism and plant growth promotion leading to disease reduction, suggested the influence of native endophytic bacteria to increased fitness in plants, and tolerance against the re-emerging crown rot disease of papaya.

     

Effects of certain herbicides on the fate of sporangiospores of Mucor piriformis and conidia of Botrytis cinerea and Penicillium expansum

The effects of several herbicides used in pome fruit orchards on the germination of spores and growth of mycelia of Botrytis cinerea, Mucor piriformis and Penicillium expansum in vitro and the survival of propagules of these fungi in soil were studied. Diuron in agar at 4–128 μg ml^?1 reduced germination of spores of B. cinerea and M. piriformis, and 2,4-D and paraquat at 32 μg ml^?1 similarly affected B. cinerea and P. expansum. Several herbicides at 128 μg ml^?1 in agar reduced growth of B. cinerea and M. piriformis but were ineffective against P. expansum. Propagule survival levels of the three fungi generally were lower in both autoclaved and non-autoclaved soil amended with herbicides than in non-amended soil. This effect was greatest in non-autoclaved soil, suggesting involvement of microbial antagonists. The most effective herbicides for reduction of fungal propagules in soil were 2,4-D, diuron, and paraquat.     

Response of ten cultivars of Lolium perenne to the ectoparasitic nematode Tylenchorhynchus dubius

The interaction between 10 cultivars ofLolium perenne andTylenchorhynchus dubius was studied to investigate the incidence of tolerance and resistance to ectoparasitic nematodes inL. perenne.Differences in tolerance were small; the nematode treatments yielded 67 to 76% of the dry shoot mass of the controls. Cultivars with a low leaf weight ratio and a low transpiration coefficient tended to have a somewhat better tolerance. Differences in resistance occurred, but resistance is of minor importance to reduce damage in theL. perenne/T. dubius host-parasite system.Samenvatting Om na te gaan of inLolium perenne tolerantie en resistentie t.a.v. ectoparasitaire nematoden voorkomt, werd de interactie tussen 10 cultivars vanL. perenne en de ectoparasitaire nematodeTylenchorhynchus dubius onderzocht.De verschillen in tolerantie bleken gering. Cultivars met een lage spruit/wortel-verhouding en een lage transpiratiecoëfficiënt waren in het algemeen wat toleranter. Er werden verschillen in resistentie gevonden, maar voor het verminderen van schade in het waardplant/parasiet-systeemL. perenne/T. dubius is resistentie van, weinig belang.     

EFFECT OF PARAQUAT ON MICROBIAL ACTIVITIES IN SOILS*

Summary. When paraquat was added to four different soils, nitrification was not appreciably affected but ammonification of soil organic-matter nitrogen was slightly retarded. Carbon dioxide evolution as well as oxygen consumption was used as an index of metabolic activity of soil micro-organisms and paraquat had a stimulatory effect at higher concentrations. Oxidation of added sulphur was slightly depressed. Paraquat decreased both the total mould and bacterial populations in Chehalis silt loam. After 30 days incubation the percentages of Streptomyces and Penicillia were markedly increased by most treatments but were little affected in Chehalis silt clay and Woodburn soils. Except for the temporary suppression of nitrification, paraquat had no significant influence on general microbial activities of importance to soil fertility. Some bimodal effects or toxicity inversions were observed with intermediate concentrations. Effet du paraquat sur les activités microbiennes dans les sols     

大麦发芽期耐盐性种质鉴定及其生理响应特征分析

为了解大麦发芽期耐盐性差异和生理响应特征,对126份大麦材料进行200 mmol·L~(-1)NaCl胁迫下的种子发芽及生长实验,并对极端耐盐性材料和盐敏感性材料进行盐胁迫处理水培实验。结果表明:盐胁迫下大麦发芽期各指标测量值较对照相比均下降,且处理与对照相比变异系数增大,发芽势、发芽率、株高、根长和根数的变异系数值分别为73.81%、58.00%、47.22%、39.39%和31.79%,说明不同材料盐胁迫处理具有较大差异;并且除株高和发芽率、根长之间无相关性之外,其它各指标之间均存在显著或极显著正相关。采用聚类分析将材料分为4个耐盐等级,其中ZDM655等33个品种为高度耐盐性,MAVRIIP等28个品种为中度耐盐性,GN241等16个品种为中度盐敏感性,莆田17号等49个品种为盐敏感性。在盐胁迫水培条件下,大麦主要通过调节根表面积和根体积表型特征来适应盐胁迫,高度耐盐性材料ZDM655地上部和根系中Na~+含量分别为对照的3.63倍和2.55倍,而盐敏感性材料ZDM222地上部和根系中Na~+含量分别为对照的8.95倍和2.92倍;同时,ZDM655较对照相比地上部K~+含量显著提高,地下部K~+含量显著下降,而ZDM222地上部K~+含量显著下降,地下部较对照无显著差异,表明高度耐盐性材料具有更好适应盐胁迫的表型特征和生理响应功能。种子发芽期耐盐性强弱是在盐渍地生长的关键,发芽势、发芽率、株高、根长、根数可以作为大麦发芽期耐盐性评价的合理指标。     

THE SYNERGISTIC ACTION OF HERBICIDE COMBINATIONS CONTAINING PARAQUAT ON AGROPYRON REPENS (L.) BEAUV.*

Summary. Herbicide combinations containing paraquat were synergistic and provided control of established Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv. (quackgrass) sods for the entire growing season. Paraquat applied at 0–5 lb/ac with simazine or diuron at 4–0 lb/ac was more phytotoxic than either herbicide applied singly and the enhanced activity was more than additive. This synergism was not due to increased absorption or translocation of either herbicide in aerial portions of the plant. Paraquat applied to the shoot increased the susceptibility of quackgrass to simazine action through the soil. Pre-treatment of quackgrass with aminotriazole or amitrole-T at 10 lb/ac 7 days before paraquat application at 0–5 lb/ac provided increased toxicity over that obtained when the two herbicides were applied together or singly. Subsequent studies indicated that aminotriazole applications prior to shoot destruction by either paraquat or clipping resulted in more chronic aminotriazole toxicity. Using methyl-¹⁴C-paraquat it was found that aminotriazole pre-loading also increased the movement of paraquat in and out of the treated leaf. This increase was even more pronounced with amitrole-T. When the two herbicides were applied together, antagonism in absorption and translocation occurred. Action synergique de combinaisons d'herbicides comprenant du paraquat sur Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv.     

Simulated rainfall sequences affect germination and biomass allocation of Chihuahuan desert native plants

Ecological restoration of many arid zones is a pressing issue because of recurrent loss of plant cover. Here, we conducted a germination and growth study of three framework plant species, native to the Chihuahuan Desert in Northern Mexico, to optimize the establishment for arid zone restoration. The plant species were Zinnia grandiflora Nutt., Menodora scabra A. Gray, and Yucca elata (Engelm.) Engelm, which were selected for their potential for restoration as drought tolerant species. We evaluated seed germination, survival, and biomass allocation of seedlings under four (high, medium, low, and very low) simulated rainfall sequences as irrigation treatments. Rainfall sequences were obtained from a previous study that considered 35?years of precipitation records. Each sequence is accounted for 20% of probability of a wet, normal, low, or very low year in terms of precipitation occurring in the study area. Germination was conducted in controlled greenhouse conditions and seeding was done in pots containing soil mix. Sequences produced soil moisture fluctuations in which germination percent was higher for M. scabra (88%) and Z. grandiflora (31%) on the high sequence compared to the other sequences. Survival at the end of the treatments was above 80% of all the three species, and seedlings allocated more aboveground biomass as the moisture increased and more belowground biomass as moisture decreased. Implications under our study conditions include that germination of Y. elata would not be negatively affected by low soil moisture, and the best germinative results for Z. grandiflora and M. scabra would be achieved under higher soil moisture.     

INTERACTION BETWEEN PARAQUAT AND MICROBES IN SOILS*

Summary. Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine if paraquat had any effect on soil micro-organisms and consequently on soil fertility. Numbers of bacteria and moulds tended to increase with incubation time as residual paraquat decreased. Lag periods of 1–5 days were observed in the development of soil microflora and concomitant degradation of paraquat. Under controlled culture conditions, Aerobacter aerogenes, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus cereus were able to utilize paraquat as sole carbon and nitrogen sources in synthetic media. Paraquat at 0–25, 0–5, 2–5 and 25 ppm cation was added to four different soils to study changes in microbial activities concomitant with decreases in herbicide concentration. Analytical recoveries were correlated inversely with clay mineral content, cation-exchange capacity and organic matter. Mineralization of peptone nitrogen by amnnonification and nitrification was stimulated by 0–25 ppm; higher rates up to 25 ppm had little influence. A bimodal effect or growth inversion was observed in several instances, with increased microbial development at intermediate concentrations. Paraquat at recommended field rates appeared to have no appreciable influence on general microbial activities of importance to soil fertility. Interaction entre U paraquat et les microbes dans les sols