Shoot cadmium concentration of soil‐grown plants as related to their root properties

Cadmium (Cd) is toxic to plants, animals, and humans. However, different plant species growing on the same soil may have very different shoot Cd concentrations depending on properties such as size of the root system, Cd net influx, shoot‐growth rate, Cd translocation from root to shoot, and the ability to affect Cd availability in the soil. To investigate possible reasons for different shoot Cd concentrations maize, sunflower, flax, and spinach were grown on an acid sandy soil (pH<$>_{{\rm{(CaCl}}_{\rm{2}} {\rm)}<$> 4.5, and C_org 2.8%) in a growth chamber with Cd additions as Cd(NO₃)₂ of none, 14, and 40 μmol (kg soil)^–1 resulting in Cd soil‐solution concentrations of 0.04, 0.68, and 2.5 μM. Only the high Cd addition caused a significant growth reduction of flax and spinach. The shoot Cd concentration was up to 30 times higher in spinach than in maize; the other species were intermediate. Of the plant properties studied only the variation of the Cd net influx explained the differences in shoot Cd concentrations. This was due to a decreased (maize, sunflower) or increased (flax) Cd concentration in soil solution or more effective uptake kinetics (spinach).     

Availability of soil boron fractions to M.26 apple rootstock

The availability of various boron (B) fractions in soil to M.26 apple (Malus spp.) rootstock was examined. The study was carried out in a greenhouse on soils with diverse chemical and physical properties. The following B fractions were determined: (i) B in soil solution, (ii) B non‐specifically adsorbed on soil surface, (iii) B specifically adsorbed on soil colloid surfaces, (iv) B occluded in Mn oxyhydroxides, (v) B occluded in noncrystalline aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) oxides, (vi) B occluded in crystalline Al and Fe oxides, (vii) B fixed with soil silicates, and (viii) total soil B. In the studied soils there were: 0.07–0.17 mg kg^‐1 B in soil solution, 0.01–0.03 mg kg^‐1 B non‐specifically adsorbed on soil surface, 0.04–0.08 mg kg^‐1 B specifically adsorbed on soil colloid surfaces, 0.28–0.67 mg kg^‐1 B occluded in manganese (Mn) oxides, 4.03–17.22 mg kg^‐1 B occluded in noncrystalline Al and Fe oxides, 8.93–50.62 mg kg^‐1 B occluded in crystalline Al and Fe oxides, 12.2–42.5 mg kg^‐1 B fixed with soil silicate, and 52.9–82.2 mg kg^‐1 total B. Simple correlation analysis showed positive correlation between B contents in M.26 apple rootstocks and amounts of B in soil solution (r=0.77), B non‐specifically adsorbed on soil colloid surfaces (r=0.65), B specifically adsorbed on soil surface (r=0.76) and B occluded in Mn oxyhydroxides (r=0.77). No relation was found between plant B contents and amounts of B occluded in non‐crystalline and crystalline Al and Fe oxides, B fixed with soil silicates and total B. The results indicated that extraction of B by 0.1 M NH₂OH HCl solution adequately represented amounts of B in soil solution, B non‐specifically and specifically adsorbed on soil compound surfaces and B occluded in Mn oxyhydroxides to assess availability of B to apple trees.     

Is occluded phosphate plant‐available?

Background: The phosphate concentration of the soil solution is generally low, allowing sufficient plant nutrition only for a few days. Therefore, supply from various fractions of bound phosphate is essential to meet plant demand. It is known that plants have developed strategies to acquire phosphorus (P) from phosphates adsorbed on clay minerals or oxides, from organically bound phosphates, and from calcium phosphates. However, it is generally assumed that occluded phosphate is not plant‐available. Results: In a pot experiment, two plant species, namely maize (Zea mays L.) and white lupin (Lupinus albus L.), differing in acquisition efficiency, were used to investigate whether Al oxide‐occluded and Fe oxide‐occluded phosphates can be acquired. Artificially prepared Al oxide‐occluded phosphate or Fe oxide‐occluded phosphate, respectively, was added to a subsoil low in available phosphates. It is shown that both plant species were not able to acquire P from Al oxide‐occluded phosphate. Also, maize was incapable of using Fe oxide‐occluded phosphate. In contrast, white lupin took up significant amounts of P from Fe oxide‐occluded phosphate. Conclusion: It is concluded that the strategy to form cluster roots together with their reducing power may allow white lupin to destabilize Fe oxides that occlude phosphates and to mine the soil for this additional phosphate fraction.     

Uranium in plant species grown on natural barren soil

Uranium (U) and other radionuclides can become toxic to plants, animals, and humans if accumulated in sufficient quantities. Uptake and accumulation of U has been studied in plants native to uranium mine sites, but not in cultivated plants which are commonly consumed by humans. This study was conducted to better understand uptake and accumulation of U in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), cabbage (Brassica oleracea), lettuce (Lactuca sativa), maize (Zea mays), onion (Allium cepa), potato (Solanum tuberosum), spinach (Spinacia oleracea), and sunflower (Helianthus annuus) grown on a deposit of the Kalna‐Gabrovnica uranium mine located in Serbia during 1992 and 1993. Tissue samples were collected from all plants during vegetative growth and for maize and sunflower at maturity. The results showed variations in plant uptake and accumulation of U dependent on species; vegetables had higher U concentration than maize and sunflower. Above‐ground portions of plants accumulated more U than storage organs or seed/grain, and the concentration of U in the investigated organs was different. Older leaves accumulated more U than younger leaves. This indicated that uptake and translocation of U was plant species dependent. Plant species could be important for understanding U contamination within the food chain.     

Silicon alleviates the toxicity of cadmium and zinc for maize (Zea mays L.) grown on a contaminated soil

Although silicon (Si) is not an essential element, it presents a close relationship with the alleviation of heavy‐metal toxicity to plants. This work was carried out to evaluate the effects of Si application to soil on the amelioration of metal stress to maize grown on a contaminated soil amended with Si (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg kg^–1) as calcium silicate (CaSiO₃). Additionally, the cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) bioavailability as well as their distribution into soil fractions was also studied. The results showed that adding Si to a Cd‐ and Zn‐contaminated soil effectively diminished the metal stress and resulted in biomass increase in comparison to metal‐contaminated soil not treated with Si. This relied on Cd and Zn immobilization in soil rather than on the increase of soil pH driven by calcium silicate application. Silicon altered the Cd and Zn distribution in soil fractions, decreasing the most bioavailable pools and increasing the allocation of metals into more stable fractions such as organic matter and crystalline iron oxides.     

Suitability of Urban Wastes for Crop Production in Zaria,Northern Nigeria: Bioavailability,Phytotoxicity, and Fractions of Micronutrients

The suitability of two composted solid urban wastes for crop production was evaluated in a pot experiment with sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) that focused on the geochemical fractions, bioavailability, and phytotoxicity of copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn). Total concentrations of Cu, Mn, and Zn in soil increased with increasing waste application, ranging from 1.6 to 48.2 mg kg^?1 for Cu, 84 to 474 mg kg^?1 for Mn, and 13.8 to 597 mg kg^?1 for Zn. Waste application significantly increased pH and electrical conductivity (EC) of the soil. Copper, Mn, and Zn in the waste-amended soil were speciated into mobile (F1), easily mobilizable (F2), occluded in Mn oxides (F3), organically bound (F4), occluded in amorphous Fe oxides (F5), occluded in crystalline Fe oxides (F6), and residual (F7) fractions to assess the lability of the metals. On the average, the F4 was the most dominant Cu and Zn fraction, accounting for between 37 and 60% of total Cu and from 14 to 40% of total Zn concentrations, whereas F3 was the dominant Mn fraction closely followed by F4. The concentrations of Cu, Mn, and Zn in sorghum dry matter (DM) decreased with increasing waste application, probably induced by osmotic stress and ionic toxicity. Tissue Zn (Y-Zn) and Mn (Y-Mn) correlated significantly with the F1 and F2 fractions, but pH was an overriding factor in predicting Cu and Zn bioconcentration. Used as soil amendments, the application rate for these Zaria urban wastes should be limited to ≤10% (w/w basis), as Zn in the sorghum tissue reached the toxic limit just from one application of the waste to soil.     

Effect of Lherzolite on Chemical Fractions of Cd and Zn and their Uptake by Plants in Contaminated Soil

Immobilizing materials such as lherzolite could reduce metal bioavailability but the effectiveness of lherzolite on the extractability and bioavailability of cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) is rarely investigated. We conducted a greenhouse experiment to investigate the effect of 5% application of lherzolite to a contaminated soil on the chemical fractionation of Cd and Zn and their uptake by radish (Raphanus sativus L.) and Japanese mustard spinach (Brassica rapa L. var. perviridis). Both plants were grown in a highly contaminated (with Cd and Zn) sandy loam soil. Plants were cultivated consecutively three times in the same pots. After the third cultivation, soil samples were collected and analyzed by sequential extraction procedure into five operationally defined fractions (F1—exchangeable, F2—carbonate-bound, F3—oxides-bound, F4—bound with organic matter, and F5—residual). Addition of lherzolite to soil decreased 50% of exchangeable (F1) Cd but it increased the carbonate (F2), oxide (F3), and organic (F4) fraction Cd. For Zn, application of lherzolite resulted into the reduction of both F1 (87%) and F2 (33%) fractions but it increased the F3, F4, and F5 fractions. The reduction in exchangeable fraction of Cd and Zn in the soil resulted in higher plant growth and lower concentrations of both Cd (64% to 92%) and Zn (78% to 99%) in plant tissues of both plant species grown. We may thus conclude that application of lherzolite resulted into lower availability of these metals in the soil leading to lower uptake of Cd and Zn by plant roots, lower toxicity, and ultimately higher plant growth.     

Cadmium bioavailability to Nicotiana tabacum L., Nicotiana rustica L., and Zea mays L. grown in soil amended or not amended with cadmium nitrate

Summary Mature (flowering) tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. PBD6, Nicotiana rustica cv. Brasilia) and maize (Zea mays cv. INRA 260) plants were grown in an acid sandy-clay soil, enriched to 5.4 mg Cd kg^–1 dry weight soil with cadmium nitrate. The plants were grown in containers in the open air. No visible symptoms of Cd toxicity developed on plant shoots over the 2-month growing period. Dry-matter yields showed that while the Nicotiana spp. were unaffected by the Cd application the yield of Z. mays decreased by 21%. Cd accumulation and distribution in leaves, stems and roots were examined. In the control treatment (0.44 mg Cd kg^–1 dry weight soil), plant Cd levels ranged from 0.4 to 6.8 mg kg^–1 dry weight depending on plant species and plant parts. Soil Cd enrichment invariably increased the Cd concentrations in plant parts, which varied from 10.1 to 164 mg kg^–1 dry weight. The maximum Cd concentrations occurred in the leaves of N. tabacum. In N. rustica 75% of the total Cd taken up by the plant was transported to the leaves, and 81% for N. tabacum irrespective of the Cd level in the soil. In contrast, the Cd concentrations in maize roots were almost five times higher than those in the leaves. More than 50% of the total Cd taken up by maize was retained in the roots at both soil Cd levels. The Cd level in N. tabacum leaves was 1.5 and 2 times higher at the low and high Cd soil level, respectively, than that in N. rustica leaves, but no significant difference was found in root Cd concentrations between the two Nicotiana spp.Cd bioavailability was calculated as the ratio of the Cd level in the control plants to that in the soil or as the ratio of the additional Cd taken up from cadmium nitrate to the amount of Cd applied. The results showed that the plant species used can be ranked in a decreasing order as follows: N. tabacum > N. rustica > Z. mays.     

Uptake of Microelements by Crops Grown on Heavy Metal–Amended Soil

Abstract

A small‐plot field experiment on microelement pollution (Aluminum (Al), Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Mercury (Hg), Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn)) was initiated in 1994 at Tass‐puszta Model Farm of Gyöngyös College, Hungary. The experimental plants were winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori et Pool.) in 1995, maize (Zea mays L.) in 1996, and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in 1997. Plant samples were taken each year during the vegetation period at phenophases characterized by intensive nutrient uptake. The Al content of crops was not influenced by Al load of the soil. Arsenic accumulation was not considerable in the grain with the highest As load. Cadmium accumulation was significant both in vegetative and reproductive parts of crops with increasing Cd loads of the soil. The Cd content was about 10–40 times higher in treated sunflower seeds than in the control; as a result the seeds were not suitable for consumption. Cadmium can accumulate in the reproductive tissue, so it is a real risk in the food chain. In the first year, Cr(VI) had a toxic effect on wheat, but it was not mobile in the soil–plant system. Vegetative parts of winter wheat accumulated significant amounts of Hg, but maize and sunflower seeds did not accumulate Hg. Lead, Cu, and Zn showed only moderate enrichment in crops following increasing loads in the soil.     

Influence of phosphorus application on growth and cadmium uptake of spinach in two cadmium‐contaminated soils

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of phosphate (P) application on diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)–extractable cadmium (Cd) in soil and on growth and uptake of Cd by spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). Two soils varying in texture were contaminated by application of five levels of Cd (NO₃)₂ (0, 20, 30, 40, and 60 mg Cd kg^–1). Three levels of KH₂PO₄ (0, 12, and 24 mg P kg^–1) were applied to determine immobilization of Cd by P. Spinach was grown for 60 d after seeding. Progressive contamination of soils through application of Cd affected dry‐matter yield (DMY) of spinach shoot differently in the two soils, with 67% reduction of DMY in the sandy soil and 34% in the silty‐loam soil. The application of P increased DMY of spinach from 4.53 to 6.06 g pot^–1 (34%) in silty‐loam soil and from 3.54 to 5.12 g pot^–1 (45%) in sandy soil. The contamination of soils increased Cd concentration in spinach shoots by 34 times in the sandy soil and 18 times in the silty‐loam soil. The application of P decreased Cd concentration in shoot. The decrease of Cd concentration was higher in the sandy soil in comparison to the silty‐loam soil. Phosphorus application enhanced DMY of spinach by decreasing Cd concentration in soil as well as in plants. The results indicate that Cd toxicity in soil can be alleviated by P application.     

Forms of Cd,Cu, Pb,and Zn in soil and their uptake by cereal crops when applied jointly as carbonates

The cereal crops (barley -Hordeum vulgare L., maize -Zea mays L., wheat -Triticum vulgare L.) were grown in a greenhouse using a sandy soil type treated with various doses of cadmium carbonate (salt), copper carbonate (malachite), lead carbonate (cerussite), and zinc carbonate (smithsonite), added jointly. The following levels of these metals were used: Cd ? 5, 10, 50μg g^?1 soil; Cu and Pb - 50,100, 500 μg g^?1 soil; Zn-150, 300, 1500 μg g-1 soil. Sequential extraction was adopted to partition the metals into five operationally-defined fractions: exchangeable, carbonate, Fe-Mn oxides, organic, and residual. The residual was the most abundant fraction in the untreated (control) soil for all the metals studied (50 to 60% of the total metal content). The concentrations of exchangeable Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn were relatively low in untreated soil but increased (over the three year period) in treated soils for Cd, Zn, and Cu, whereas only small changes were observed for Ph. This experiment showed a significant increase in Cd, Zn, and Cu in tissue of plants grown on the treated soil, but a non-significant change in plant tissue with respect to Pb concentration.     

Growth,survival, and heavy metal (Cd and Ni) uptake of spinach (Spinacia oleracea) and fenugreek (Trigonella corniculata) in a biochar‐amended sewage‐irrigated contaminated soil

Irrigation of arable land with contaminated sewage waters leads to the accumulation of trace metals in soils with subsequent phyto‐/zootoxic consequences. In this study, biochar derived from cotton sticks was used to amend an agricultural silt‐loam soil that had been previously irrigated with trace metal contaminated sewage waters. Metal accumulation and toxicity to spinach (Spinacia oleracea) and fenugreek (Trigonella corniculata) was investigated by measuring concentrations of Cd and Ni in plant tissues and various photosynthetic and biochemical activities of plants. Positive impacts of biochar on both spinach and fenugreek were observed in terms of biomass production that increased from 29% to 36% in case of spinach, while for fenugreek this increase was 32% to 36%. In the control treatment there was an increase in malondialdihyde, soluble sugar, and ascorbic acid contents, indicating heavy metal stress. Biochar applications increased soluble proteins and amino acids in plants and reduced the uptake of Cd from 5.42 mg kg^?1 at control to 3.45 mg kg^?1 at 5% biochar amended soil and Ni (13.8 mg kg^?1 to 7.3 mg kg^?1 at 5% biochar) by the spinach plants. In fenugreek, the Cd was reduced from 7.72 mg kg^?1 to 3.88 mg kg^?1 and reduction in Ni was from 15.45 mg kg^?1 to 9.46 mg kg^?1 at 5% biochar treated soil, reducing the possibility of transfer up the food chain. This study demonstrates that the use of biochar made from cotton‐sticks, as an amendment to arable soils that have received contaminated irrigation water, could improve plant growth and decrease Cd and Ni uptake to crops, alleviating some of the negative impacts of using sewage waters on arable land.     

Genotypic differences in uptake and translocation of cadmium in bean and maize inbred lines

For better understanding of mechanisms responsible for genotypic differences in uptake and translocation of cadmium (Cd) in different plant species, two maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines (B37 and F2) and a bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivar (Saxa) were grown in a complete nutrient solution with additional 0.5 μM Cd and 250 μM buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), an inhibitor of PC synthesis, alone or in combination. The maize line B37 had a much higher Cd content in shoots (116.2 mg Cd kg^?1 dry wt.) than F2 (32.7 mg Cd kg^?1 dry wt.) and bean (1.83 in leaves, and 2.85 mg Cd kg^?1 dry wt. in stems), whereas in roots the Cd content was much higher in bean (602.6 mg Cd kg^?1 dry wt.) than in maize (427.1 mg Cd kg^?1 dry wt. in B37, and 428.2 mg Cd kg^?1 dry wt. in F2). Application of BSO markedly decreased Cd contents in roots of bean and maize lines, and also Cd contents in shoots and stem basis of both maize lines, while Cd contents in leaves, stems and stem basis of bean were not reduced by BSO. In root extracts (Tris-HCl buffer, pH 8.0) the proportion of Cd in the soluble fraction was much lower in bean (29.6%) than in the maize lines B37 (58.6%) and F2 (60.1%). Compared with the whole root tissue, Cd contents in the stele of the roots were much lower, especially in bean, and decreased by BSO in both maize lines, but not in bean. Gel-chromatography of root extracts strongly suggested that in the soluble fraction about 80% of the Cd was present as Cd-phytochelatin (PC) complexes in B37, whereas in F2 this Cd fraction accounted for about 50%, and in bean only for a few percent in the soluble fraction, Our results suggest that Cd-PC complexes constitute a mobile form in plants. The lower proportion of Cd in the soluble fraction as well as lower PC production in roots of bean compared to maize lines may be the main reasons for the very low Cd translocation from roots to shoots in bean plants.     

Cadmium accumulation and distribution in sunflower plant

Cadmium (Cd) accumulation and distribution was studied in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L., public line HA‐89) plant. From an uncontaminated sandy loam brown forest soil with 162 μg kg^‐1 HNO₃/H₂O₂ extractable Cd the HA‐89 sunflower public line accumulated 114 ug kg^‐1 Cd in its kernels under open field conditions. This value is rather low as compared to data found by others. Sandy loam brown forest soil was treated with 0, 1 or 10 mg kg^‐1 of Cd to study the interaction of this heavy metal with young sunflower plants in a greenhouse pot experiment. The fresh weight and dry matter accumulation of sunflower plant organs (roots, shoots, leaves or heads) was unaffected by cadmium treatment of soil. The nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), or zinc (Zn) uptake of sunflower plant organs was not influenced by lower or higher Cd‐doses, except sunflower heads where 10 mg kg^‐1 of Cd treatment of soil significantly reduced the uptake of Ca, Fe, and Mn. Although Cd reduced the Zn uptake of roots, its rate was statistically not significant. Cadmium was accumulated prevalently in roots (1.21 mg kg^‐1,4.97 mg kg^‐1, or 13.69 mg kg^‐1 depending on Cd‐dose), and its concentration increased also in shoots or leaves. In spite of the short interaction time, elevated concentrations of cadmium (0.78 mg kg^‐1, 1.34 mg kg^‐1, or 3.02 mg kg^‐1 depending on Cd‐dose) were detected in just emerged generative organs (heads) of young sunflower plants.     

Relationship between molecular characteristics of soil humic fractions and glycolytic pathway and krebs cycle in maize seedlings

A humic acid (HA) isolated from a volcanic soil was separated in three fractions of decreasing molecular size (I, II and III) by preparative high performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC). The molecular content of the bulk soil HA and its size fractions was characterized by pyrolysis-GC-MS (thermochemolysis with tetramethylammonium hydroxide) and NMR spectroscopy. All soil humic materials were used to evaluate their effects on the enzymatic activities involved in glycolytic and respiratory processes of Zea mays (L.) seedlings. The elementary analyses and NMR spectra of the humic fractions indicated that the content of polar carbons (mainly carbohydrates) increased with decreasing molecular size of separated fractions. The products evolved by on-line thermochemolysis showed that the smallest size fraction (Fraction III) with the least rigid molecular conformation among the humic samples had the lowest content of lignin moieties and the largest amount of other non-lignin aromatic compounds. The bulk HA and the three humic fractions affected the enzyme activities related to glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) in different ways depending on molecular size, molecular characteristics and concentrations. The overall effectiveness of the four fractions in promoting the metabolic pathways was in the order: III>HA>II>I. The largest effect of Fraction III, either alone or incorporated into the bulk HA, was attributed to a flexible conformational structure that promoted a more efficient diffusion of bioactive humic components to maize cells. A better knowledge of the relationship between molecular structure of soil humic matter and plant activity may be of practical interest in increasing carbon fixation in plants and redirect atmospheric CO₂ into bio-fuel resources.     

The significant contribution of mycorrhizal fungi and earthworms to maize protection and phytoremediation in Cd-polluted soils

Mycorrhizal fungi and earthworms can individually or interactively influence plant growth and heavy metal uptake. The influence of earthworms and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi either alone or in combination on maize (Zea mays L.) growth and cadmium (Cd) uptake was investigated in a calcareous soil artificially spiked with Cd. Soils were contaminated with Cd (10 and 20 mg Cd kg⁻¹), inoculated or un-inoculated with the epigeic earthworm Lumbricus rubellus and two AM fungal species (Rhizophagus irregularis and Funneliformis mosseae) for two months of growth under greenhouse conditions. Generally, earthworms alone increased both shoot P uptake and biomass but decreased shoot Cd concentration and root Cd uptake. AM fungi individually often increased total maize P uptake, declined shoot Cd concentration, and consequently produced higher total biomass. However, R. irregularis enhanced shoot Cd uptake at low Cd level and root Cd uptake at high Cd level. In plants inoculated with F. mosseae species, earthworms increased shoot biomass and Cd uptake, decreased root biomass and Cd uptake at all Cd levels, and increased shoot Cd concentration at low Cd level. In plants colonized by R. irregularis species, however, earthworm addition decreased maize biomass only at high Cd level and root Cd concentration and total maize Cd uptake at both Cd levels. Earthworm activity decreased Cd transfer from the soil to maize roots at low Cd level, but this was counterbalanced in the presence of F. mosseae. Mycorrhizal symbiosis significantly reduced the transfer of Cd from roots to shoots, independence of earthworm effect. Overall, it is concluded that L. rubellus and AM fungi, in particular F. mosseae isolate, improved maize tolerance to Cd toxicity both individually and interactively by increasing plant growth and P nutrition, and restricting Cd transfer to the aboveground biomass. Consequently, the single and interactive effects of the two soil organisms might potentially be important not only in protecting maize plants against Cd toxicity, but also in Cd phytostabilization in soils polluted by this highly toxic metal.     

Effects of plant growth-promoting bacteria on the phytoremediation of cadmium-contaminated soil by sunflower

This paper describes the effect of plant growth-promoting bacteria on sunflower growth and its phytoremediation efficiency under Cd-contaminated soils. Four levels of bacteria inoculation (non-inoculation, inoculation by Bacillus safensis, Kocuria rosea and co-inoculation by Bacillus safensis+Kocuria rosea) and four Cd concentrations (0, 50, 100 and 150 mg Cd per kg soil) were arranged as factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design (CRD). Results showed that Cd significantly decreased growth by decreasing the shoot and root length and biomass (p < 0.01). In addition, Cd dramatically decreases photosynthetic pigments, Fe transport to shoot and Zn uptake (p < 0.01). Bacterial inoculation increased Fe and Zn uptake by plants, Cd concentration in the aboveground part of plants and Cd uptake by the enhancement of Cd concentration in plant tissue and biomass production. Results showed that the highest shoot Cd uptake was ?observed in ?inoculated plants by Bacillus safensis at Cd100 (20.35 mg pot^?1). However, in average of Cd treatments, the performance of co-inoculation in Cd uptake (13.04 mg pot^?1) was better than singular inoculation (10.68 and 12.58 mg pot^?1 for Bacillus safensis and Kocuria rosea, respectively). Results revealed that bacterial inoculation increased the Cd uptake performance in shoot and total biomass by 30% and 25%, respectively.     

油葵和苦荬菜根际土壤中镉和锌的活化机制及修复潜力比较

  目的  研究油葵和苦荬菜根际土壤固、液相对镉（Cd）和锌（Zn）的活化机制,比较两种植物在轻、中度复合污染农田的修复潜力。  方法  通过大田试验种油葵和苦荬菜,测定成熟期土壤的pH值、有机酸、重金属总量及其生物有效性;测定土壤溶液中的溶解性有机质（DOM）、主要离子、水溶态重金属及其形态分布;测定植物各部位中重金属的浓度及形态,通过计算重金属在植物中的富集系数（BCF）和转运系数（TF）,比较两种植物对土壤重金属污染的修复潜力。  结果  油葵和苦荬菜根系分泌的低分子有机酸均使根际土壤pH值下降明显,显著低于非根际土壤（P < 0.05）;苦荬菜根际土中低分子有机酸及DOM的浓度显著高于油葵根际土（P < 0.05）。两种植物根际土壤溶液中的Cd以离子态和DOM结合态为主,Zn以离子态为主;两种植物根际土壤中有效态的Cd差异不显著,油葵根际有效态Zn显著高于苦荬菜;两种植物根际土壤的Zn和Cd有效态与土壤溶液中Cd-DOM和Zn-DOM呈显著相关。苦荬菜根对重金属的富集能力较强,但油葵地上部分能吸收转运更多的Cd和Zn,并在叶中以毒性较低的不溶性磷酸盐结合态和草酸结合态富集。  结论  两种植物根际分泌的有机酸可以增加根际土壤中的Cd-DOM和Zn-DOM的浓度,提高土壤中的Cd和Zn的有效性,苦荬菜根际对重金属有较强的活化能力,但油葵地上部分对Cd和Zn的吸收转运能力更强。两种植物都具有较强的土壤重金属修复潜力,但从经济角度出发,油葵更适合现阶段我国农田重金属污染的修复。     

Detection and decay of the Bt endotoxin in soil from a field trial with genetically modified maize

Genetically modified plants and their residues may have direct effects on ecosystem processes. We aimed to determine the amount in soil of the insecticidal δ‐endotoxin, originally from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, introduced into soil by root exudates and residues from genetically modified maize, to compare the short‐term rates of decay of Bt‐maize and non‐Bt‐maize, and to determine the rate at which the toxin in Bt‐maize leaves decomposes in soil. Intact soil, size fractions of soil, soluble fractions from soil and fractions of organic residues from a field where Bt‐maize had been cultivated for 4 years were analysed for the Btδ‐endotoxin. Traces of the δ‐endotoxin were detected in the whole (unfractionated) soil, the water‐soluble fractions, and some of the particle‐size fractions, but it was sufficiently concentrated only in the > 2000‐µm size fraction to be quantified. The δ‐endotoxin concentrations in this fraction ranged between 0.4 and 4.4 ng toxin g^?1 fraction, which equated to 70, 6 and 50 mg toxin m^?2 in the 0–15, 15–30 and 30–60 cm depths, respectively (or 126 mg toxin m^?2 over the 0–60 cm depth) in the field in June (early summer). The > 2000‐µm size fraction was a mixture of light‐ and dark‐coloured organic material and mineral material comprising sand grains and stable aggregates. For samples collected early in the growing season, most of the detected δ‐endotoxin was present in the light‐coloured organic material, which was comprised of primarily live roots. However, recognizable maize residues, probably from previous years' crops, also contained δ‐endotoxin. In a laboratory incubation study, Bt‐ and non‐Bt‐maize residues were added to soil and incubated for 43 days. There was no detectable difference in the decomposition of plant material from the two lines of maize, as determined by CO₂ production. The quantity of δ‐endotoxin in the decomposing plant material and soil mixtures declined rapidly with time during the incubation, with none being detectable after 14 days. The rapid disappearance of the δ‐endotoxin occurred at a rate similar to that of the water‐soluble components of the maize residues. The results suggested that much of the δ‐endotoxin in crop residues is highly labile and quickly decomposes in soil, but that a small fraction may be protected from decay in relatively recalcitrant residues.     

Interaction of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobia: Effects on flax yield in spoil‐bank clay

This study focused on the application of native strains of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and Sinorhizobium in effective crop production during reclamation of coal‐mine spoil banks. Two greenhouse experiments were conducted in spoil‐bank clay with a low dose of organic amendment to determine whether the microbial inoculation improves growth and utility qualities of two cultivars of Linum usitatissimum L. (oil and fiber flax). Inoculation with two native AMF isolates (Glomus mosseae, G. intraradices, and their mixture) significantly increased growth and shoot phosphorus (P) concentration of both flax cultivars. Inoculated fiber flax plants produced fivefold more fibers than the uninoculated ones. In oil flax, mycorrhizal inoculation significantly but quantitatively to a minor degree decreased the concentration of nonsaturated fatty acids in the seed oil. A mixture of five native Sinorhizobium sp. strains supported growth and P uptake of oil flax only in the absence of AMF. However, these beneficial effects of the bacteria were significantly lower as compared to AMF. No synergic action of Sinorhizobium strains and AMF was observed, and their interactions were often even antagonistic. Inoculation with AMF significantly decreased population density of Sinorhizobium in the soil. These results suggest that a careful selection of suitable bacterial strains is necessary to provide effective AMF combinations and maximize flax‐growth support.