Monitoring of plant and soil pollution based on ionic impulsion

Total pollution indexes for measuring heavy metal contamination of industrialized areas may be quickly estimated from selected metal partial indexes for soil (M-SPI) or plants (M-PPI). Partial pollution indexes for plants (or soils) are calculated by the formula M-PPI (or M-SPI) = 100 (I ? I _unp)/(I _tox ?I _unp), where I = c _i ^1/ni is the ionic impulsion of the selected metal M, with oxidation number n _i, for its actual plant (or soil) concentration c _i,and I _unp and I _tox, the ionic impulsions for unpolluted and toxid levels of the M in plants (or soils). The total pollution indexes were proposed by analogous formulae containing the sums of contributions of metals accumulated in roots (Pb, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn and also Fe for plants), without participation of macroconstituents (K, Mg, Ca, Na, and also Mn), accumulated in plant tops. Partial pollution indexes may also serve to show (i) deficiency or toxicity levels of plants (or soils) and (ii) associations between pollutants, easily detected by a numerical taxonomy's dendrogram. Using correlation coefficient techniques for the Bilbao (Spain) model zone, the total soil pollution index, SPI, may be calculated from Zn-SPI, Pb-SPI, Cu-SPI or Cu-PPI. The total plant pollution index, PPI, is similarly related to Fe-PPI or Zn-PPI, though some distortion is evident when the sampling point is close to specific industrial factories. The best estimation (without distortion) for monitoring total plant pollution index is based on the sum of contributions of essential elements (Fe, Cu, and Zn). This fact suggests the existence of defense mechanisms of plants for balancing both the uptake of toxic metals and deficiencies of essential constituents. Finally total pollution indexes may be used for the estimation of the number of pollutants with toxic levels in plants or soils.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi regulate plant mineral nutrient uptake and partitioning in iron ore tailings undergoing eco-engineered pedogenesis

Excess available K and Fe in Fe ore tailings with organic matter amendment and water-deficiencies may restrain plant colonization and growth, which hinders the formation of eco-engineered soil from these tailings for sustainable and cost-effective mine site rehabilitation. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are widely demonstrated to assist plant growth under various unfavorable environments. However, it is still unclear whether AM symbiosis in tailings amended with different types of plant biomass and under different water conditions could overcome the surplus K and Fe stress for plants in Fe ore tailings, and if so, by what mechanisms. Here, host plants (Sorghum sp. Hybrid cv. Silk), either colonized or noncolonized by the AM fungi (Glomus spp.), were cultivated in lucerne hay (LH, C:N ratio of 18)- or sugarcane mulch (SM, C:N ratio of 78)-amended Fe ore tailings under well-watered (55% water-holding capacity (WHC) of tailings) or water-deficient (30% WHC of tailings) conditions. Root mycorrhizal colonization, plant growth, and mineral elemental uptake and partitioning were examined. Results indicated that AM fungal colonization improved plant growth in tailings amended with plant biomass under water-deficient conditions. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal colonization enhanced plant mineral element uptake, especially P, both in the LH- and SM-amended tailings regardless of water condition. Additionally, AM symbiosis development restrained the translocation of excess elements (i.e., K and Fe) from plant roots to shoots, thereby relieving their phytotoxicity. The AM fungal roles in P uptake and excess elemental partitioning were greater in LH-amended tailings than in SM-amended tailings. Water deficiency weakened AM fungal colonization and functions in terms of mineral element uptake and partitioning. These findings highlighted the vital role AM fungi played in regulating plant growth and nutrition status in Fe ore tailings technosol, providing an important basis for involvement of AM fungi in the eco-engineered pedogenesis of Fe ore tailings.     

Effect of Micronutrient-Based Integrated Use of Nutrients on Crop Productivity,Nutrient Uptake,and Soil Fertility in Greengram and Fingermillet Sequence Under Semi-arid Tropical Conditions

To identify the best combinations of micronutrient-based fertilization treatments in terms of crop yield and nutrient uptake, three field experiments with greengram?fingermillet as the test sequence with 12 treatments on micronutrient-based fertilization [with recommended nitrogen (N)?phosphorus (P)?potassium (K) fertilizer] were conducted during 2005 to 2007 in a semi-arid Alfisol at Bangalore. The effects of treatments on available soil and plant uptake of nutrients [N, P, K, sulfur (S), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), and molybdenum (Mo)] and yield of crops were assessed based on standard analysis of variance procedure. Using the relationships of yield with soil and plant nutrient variables, regression models of yield through soil and plant variables were calibrated and effects of variables on crop yields were assessed. The models gave high and significant yield predictability in the range of 0.87 to 0.98 through different variables. The model of plant uptake through soil nutrients indicated that soil S, Fe, and Zn had significant positive effects, whereas soil N, K, B, and Mo had negative effects on plant nutrient status in greengram. Similarly, soil P, Mn, and Zn had significant positive effects, whereas soil N, K, and Fe had negative effects on plant uptake of nutrients in fingermillet. Based on a relative efficiency index (REI) criteria, T2 for plant uptake and T12 for maintaining soil nutrients were found to be superior in greengram, whereas T2 for plant uptake and T8 for maintaining soil nutrients were found to be superior in fingermillet over years based on REI. The combined REI over soil and plant nutrients for both crops indicated that application of T8 for greengram and T2 for fingermillet could be prescribed for attaining maximum plant uptake of nutrients and productivity of crops in sequence, apart from maintaining maximum soil fertility of nutrients under semi-arid Alfisols.     

Evidence for the existence of different uptake mechanisms in soybean and sorghum for iron and manganese

A greenhouse experiment was conducted in which four varieties of soybean (Glycine max L.) and three varieties of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) were grown in a calcareous soil with and without soil applied FeEDDHA (0 and 2 mg Fe/kg soil). Soil applications of FeEDDHA increased Fe concentrations and reduced Mn concentrations in all varieties of soybean and eliminated Mn toxicity symptoms in Corsoy soybeans. Soil applications of FeEDDHA did not increase Fe uptake or affect Mn uptake into sorghum leaves. This study tends to support the hypothesis that there are distinct plant mechanisms between dicots and graminaceous species for the uptake of Fe, and that these mechanisms have a direct effect on Mn availability for plant uptake.     

Gallium(III) does not actively substitute for iron(III) in iron/gallium competition studies

Strategy II plants respond to Fe stress by releasing a phytosiderophore and are believed to absorb Fe as Fe(III). Gallium(III) has chemical characteristics which have made it useful as a substitute for Fe(III) in biological systems. The objectives of our study were to: 1) determine if Ga(III) acts competitively to reduce Fe(III) uptake or otherwise substitutes for Fe(III) in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), and 2) determine if the competition for Fe(III) between EDDHA or BPDS and barley further elucidates the form of Fe absorbed by barley. Chlorosis ratings, phytosiderophore production, and tissue Fe contents were indexes of Fe stress.

Gallium was absorbed and translocated by the plant both in the presence and absence of Fe, and slightly alleviated Fe stress in the absence of Fe. However, Fe uptake was not affected by the presence of Ga. Thus, Ga(III) did not seem to compete with Fe(III) for uptake. Increasing EDDHA in solution intensified chlorosis and phytosiderophore production and reduced root Fe, but did not reduce leaf Fe concentration. Increased BPDS had no influence on either chlorosis or leaf Fe, but did cause phytosiderophore production to increase and root Fe to decline. The presence of Fe(II) in solutions containing BPDS suggests a potential for reducing Fe(III) in the roots of barley.     

机理Ⅰ植物铁营养的吸收转运及信号调控机制研究进展

铁是植物正常生长发育必需的微量元素之一。在通气良好的碱性或石灰性土壤中,常常因铁有效性低而难以满足植物生长发育所需,缺铁已成为继缺氮和缺磷之后农业生产所面临的又一重要的营养障碍因子。与机理Ⅱ植物相比,机理Ⅰ植物更易缺铁,因此全面了解机理Ⅰ植物的铁吸收及利用机制是分子育种改良此类植物铁营养的重要基础。基于国内外的相关研究进展,从机理Ⅰ植物的根际铁活化、根系铁吸收、木质部和韧皮部中的铁运输以及胞外和胞内铁的再利用等几方面进行综述;在此基础上,从bHLH和MYB转录因子调控网络、蛋白的泛素化修饰以及小分子化学信号调控途径等几方面,重点阐述机理Ⅰ植物铁营养吸收、转运及稳态平衡过程的调控机制;同时,对研究中存在的部分问题及未来研究方向进行简要的讨论分析。     

Iron oxide‐humic acid coprecipitates as iron source for cucumber plants

In soil, iron (Fe) solubility depends on complex interactions between Fe minerals and organic matter, but very little is known about plant availability of Fe present in Fe oxides associated with humic substances. For this purpose, this study investigates the effect of Fe mineral crystallinity in the presence of humic acids (HA) on Fe availability to plants. Four Fe–HA mineral coprecipitates were prepared, either in the presence or absence of oxygen, i.e., two goethite (G)‐HA samples containing large amounts of Fe as nanocrystalline goethite and ferrihydrite mixed phases, and two magnetite (M)‐HA samples containing crystalline magnetite. Bioavailability studies were conducted in hydroponic systems on cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus L.) grown under Fe deficient conditions and supplied with the Fe–HA coprecipitates containing goethite or magnetite. Results showed that plants grown in the presence of Fe–HA coprecipitates exhibited a complete recovery from Fe deficiency, albeit less efficiently than plants resupplied with Fe‐chelate fertilizer used as control (Fe‐diethylene triamine penta acetic acid, Fe‐DTPA). However, the supply with either G‐ or M–HA coprecipitates produced different effects on plants: G–HA‐treated plants showed a higher Fe content in leaves, while M–HA‐treated plants displayed a higher leaf biomass and SPAD (Soil–Plant Analysis Development) index recovery, as compared to Fe‐DTPA. The distribution of macronutrients in the leaves, as imaged by micro X‐ray fluorescence (µXRF) spectroscopy, was different in G–HA and M–HA‐treated plants. In particular, plants supplied with the poorly crystalline G–HA coprecipitate with a lower Fe/HA ratio showed features more similar to those of fully recovered plants (supplied with Fe‐DTPA). These results highlight the importance of mineral crystallinity of Fe–HA coprecipitates on Fe bioavailability and Fe uptake in hydroponic experiments. In addition, the present data demonstrate that cucumber plants can efficiently mobilize Fe, even from goethite and ferrihydrite mixed phases and magnetite, which are usually considered unavailable for plant nutrition.     

Role of Some Plant Growth Promotory Bacteria on Enhanced Fe Uptake of Wheat

The quest for plant growth promotory bacteria that can help in sustainable agriculture has increased in the recent years owing to increasing cost of fertilizers. In the present study, the potential of three isolated bacteria having plant growth promotory effects in mobilizing the indigenous soil iron (Fe) in two different varieties of wheat was evaluated. Three bacterial isolates belonging to the genera Burkholderia and Acinetobacter were evaluated singly and in combinations for Fe uptake of wheat in a net house study. Results showed that bacterial isolates when used in combination performed better in comparison to their individual use. These isolates significantly increased the mean Fe concentration in grains and straw by 34.0% and 52.4% over the uninoculated controls and also increased the total Fe uptake per pot in comparison to uninoculated controls. The bacterial inoculation also showed a positive impact on the bioavailability of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) extractable Fe in soil.     

盐渍化灌区玉米施氮量阈值DNDC模型模拟

为了寻求保障农业生产和环境友好的适宜施氮量,利用内蒙古河套灌区2 a田间试验数据对脱氮-分解作用模型（Denitrification-Decomposition Model,DNDC）进行了率定与验证,模拟并研究了影响硝态氮淋失量和植株吸氮量的关键因素,以及玉米施氮量阈值。结果表明：1）DNDC模型可以较好地模拟玉米产量及氮素吸收利用情况,率定和验证过程中玉米产量、叶面积指数和收获时土壤0～20 cm土层土壤硝态氮累积量纳什效率系数与R2均不小于0.75,标准均方根误差为9.26%～21.48%。2）施氮量和追肥次数对硝态氮淋失量和植株吸氮量的影响较大,而耕作深度和灌水量对硝态氮淋失量和植株吸氮量的影响较小。且过多施用氮肥不会促进植株吸氮量和产量的增加,反而会增加硝态氮淋失量造成环境污染。3）植株吸氮量和玉米产量均随施氮量增加呈先增长后逐渐趋于稳定的趋势。此外,当追肥次数为3次时,生育期植株吸氮量较追肥1次和2次时的植株吸氮量平均高167.18%和31.27%。4）当追肥次数相同时,硝态氮淋失量随施氮量增加而增加;当施氮量相同时,随追肥次数增加,硝态氮淋失量逐渐降低。当追肥次数为2次和3次时,生长季硝态氮淋失量较追肥1次时平均减少41.96%、59.75%。综合考虑玉米产量、硝态氮淋失量和植株吸氮量,当施氮量为165.50～200 kg/hm2,且分别在拔节期、抽雄期和灌浆期进行追肥为较优的施肥方案。研究成果可为减少河套灌区地下水环境污染及资源浪费提供技术支撑。     

A study on the cytoplasmic and vacuolar accumulation of Fe and Mn in excised wheat roots

Abstract

Micronutrients are essential for successful crop production, and perhaps the most important of these are Fe and Mn which play a significant role in chlorophyll synthesis. These elements present crucial problems to plant nutritionists, since they are not easily translocated in the plant. An attempt is made to circumscribe the nature of accumulation of Fe and Mn at the cellular level, in excised wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Caribio) roots, over short term absorption periods. The absorption of Fe and Mn was followed using ⁵⁹Fe and ⁵⁴Mn labelled 0.1 mM FeSO₄, FeEDDHA, MnSO₄ and MnEDDHA. It is found that the uptake of Fe and Mn is extremely low, compared to those of freely mobile elements like K. The time course of uptake for Fe from FeSO₄ was biphsic, with a rapid (phase I) and steady (phase II) uptake, and the latter which is possibly vacuolar is rather negligible, excepting in the case of high salt roots pretreated with 5 mM CaCl₂. Mn uptake also followed a similar biphasic pattern, with less conspicuous phase II. The isotherm for Fe from FeEDDHA suggests that it is largely confined to one of the compartments, possibly vacuole. In contrast, Mn uptake from MnEDDHA is found to be biphasic. Furthermore, the rate of Mn uptake is lower than that for Fe. Significant differences were also observed between the roots grown in low salt (0.2 mM CaCl₂) and high salt (dilute nutrient) solutions.     

Manganese‐iron relationship in soybean grown in calcareous soils 1

Although a positive response to iron (Fe) is, usually, expected in calcareous soils; this has not been always the case; and in some instances a depressing effect has been observed. An induced micronutrient imbalance is suspected. This experiment was designed to study the effect of Fe fertilizer on the plant micronutrients. Twenty three highly calcareous soils (18–46% calcium carbonate equivalent; pH 7.7–8.4; and a wide range of extractable Fe) from southern Iran were used in an eight‐week greenhouse experiment to study the effect of Fe fertilizers on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] growth and chemical composition. The statistical design was a 23 × 3 factorial arranged in a completely randomized block with three replications. Treatments consisted of 23 soils and three levels of applied Fe (0, 10, and 20 mg Fe/kg as FeEDDHA). Uniform doses of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) were applied to all pots. Dry matter (DM) and micronutrients concentrations and uptakes of plant tops were determined and used as the plant responses. Application of Fe either had no significant effect on DM or even decreased it. The plant concentration and uptake of Fe increased significantly in all soils. The concentrations and uptakes of Cu and Zn did not change but those of Mn decreased significantly. The negative effect of Fe application was, therefore, attributed to the interference of Fe with Mn nutrition. The mechanism involved appears to be the restriction in Mn translocation from soil to root and/or from root to the plant tops.     

Fractions of Iron in Soil under a Long-Term Experiment and Their Contribution to Iron Availability and Uptake by Maize–Wheat Cropping Sequence

Soil and plant samples were collected from an ongoing long-term experiment (LTE) at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute farm, New Delhi, to study the distribution of various fractions of iron (Fe) and their contribution to availability and plant uptake in a maize–wheat sequence. The optimum dose-based treatments adopted for the study were nitrogen (N), nitrogen–phosphorus (NP), nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium (NPK), NPK + farmyard manure (FYM), NPK+ zinc (Zn), and control (no fertilizer or manure). Different fractions of Fe in the soil were sequentially extracted using different extractants. Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)–extractable Fe did not differ significantly among the treatments as a result of continuous cropping for more than three decades. The overall mean total iron (Fe) content varied from 2.36 to 2.61% under different treatments. Residual Fe constitutes a major portion of total Fe in all four layers of soil. The Fe associated with easily reducible Mn and organic matter contributed directly to DTPA-extractable Fe both in pre-maize and post-wheat soil. Residual Fe contributed directly to uptake Fe by maize and wheat crops.     

Ratios of Nutrients in Lowland Rice Grown on Two Iron Toxic Soils in Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Iron (Fe) toxicity is a widespread nutritional soil constraint affecting rice production in the wetland soils of West Africa. Critical levels of total iron in plant causing toxicity is difficult to determine as different rice cultivars respond to excessive Fe^{2 +} in various ways in what is called “bronzing” or “yellowing” symptoms (VBS). An investigation was conducted to evaluate the relationship between plant growth and nutrient ratios at four iron levels (1000, 3000, 4000 μ g L^?1) and control. This involved two rice cultivars (‘ITA 212’ and ‘Suakoko 8’), and two soil types (Aeric Fluvaquent and Aeric Tropaquept). The experimental design was a 2 × 2 × 4 factorial in a completely randomized fashion with four replications. The results showed that nutrient ratios [phosphorus (P)/Fe, potassium (K)/Fe, calcium (Ca)/Fe, magnesium (Mg)/Fe, and manganese (Mn)/Fe), Fe content, and Fe uptake vary widely with the iron levels as well as with the age of the cultivars. The iron toxicity scores expressed as VBS increased with increasing Fe^{2 +} in the soils, resulting in simultaneous reduction of the following variables: plant height, tiller numbers/pot, relationships grain yield (GY) and dry matter yield (DMY). There were no significant difference between nutrient ratios, Fe contents, Fe uptake, the GY and DMY of both rice cultivars on both soil types. Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that Fe uptake and Fe contents contributed 42% and 17% respectively to the variation in the grain yield of ‘ITA 212’ on Aeric Tropaquept. On both soil types and cultivars, Fe uptake and Fe content contributed between 26 and 68% to the variation in the DMY, while the nutrient ratios (P/Fe, K/Fe, Ca/Fe, and Mn/Fe) contributed between 3% and 13% DMY. Thus, it could be concluded that iron toxicity in rice is more a function of a single nutrient (Fe) rather than nutrient ratios.     

Proposed Indices for Assessing Soil Pollution Under the Application of Sludge

The assessment of soil pollution with heavy metals has been studied, based on experimental soil and plant analytical heavy metal data obtained by a pot experiment conducted during 2010?C2011 in a green house. A completely randomized block design was used, including the following sludge treatments (in tons per hectare): 0, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, and (30+treated wastewater) in four replications. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) var. longifolia was used as a test plant. Three indices were proposed, i.e., (1) elemental pollution index, (2) heavy metal load, and (3) total concentration factor. They were found to be linearly and statistically significantly related to the pollution load index, which was used as a reference index, and curvilinearly related to lettuce dry matter yield. It was concluded that the above indices could be used for the assessment of soil pollution level.     

Iron and zinc absorption characteristics and copper inhibitions in cucurbitaceae

Iron and Zn absorption, interactions, and Cu inhibitions were characterized in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thunb.), and pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Poir.) by kinetic parameters V_max and K_m. Influx and V_max values for Fe and Zn absorption decreased in each species as plant age increased. For the Michaelis constant, K_m, Fe values in cucumber and watermelon and Zn values in watermelon and pumpkin were relatively unchanged with increased plant age. K_m values for Zn absorption in cucumber and Fe absorption in pumpkin decreased as plant age increased. Among species, watermelon appeared to have a particularly effective uptake mechanism for Zn at low solution concentrations. Non‐competitive inhibition of Zn absorption by Fe (20, 50 uM) was indicated in each species. Iron uptake in pumpkin was inhibited non‐competitively by Zn (5, 10 uM), however no significant effects of Zn on Fe absorption were evident in either watermelon or cucumber. Copper (0.5, 1, 5 uM) inhibited uptake of Fe non‐competitively and Zn competitively in each species.     

Iron transport in plants: Future research in view of a plant nutritionist and a molecular biologist

Iron is attractive to plant physiologists since J. Sachs has proven in 1868 the essentiality and the possible leaf uptake of Fe. It lasted about 100 years before the principal processes for Fe mobilization in the rhizosphere were discovered and classified as two distinct strategies for Fe acquisition. During the 80's and 90's of the last century the uptake of Fe²⁺ and Fe^III-phytosiderophores by specific transporters in strategy I- and strategy II-plants, respectively, were postulated without any application of the new approaching molecular techniques. In the following decade, the various transporters for Fe uptake by roots, such as AtIRT1 in Arabidopsis or ZmYS1 in maize and their possible regulation were characterized. In the following years with fast developing molecular approaches further Fe trans ortsrs were genetically described with often only vague physiological functions. In view of a plant nutritionist, besides uptake processes by roots, the following transport processes within the respective target tissue have to be considered by molecular biologists in more detail: 1) radial transfer of Fe from the root cortex through the endodermis, 2) xylem loading in roots, 3) transfer of Fe from xylem to phloem via transfer cells, 4) phloem loading with Fe in source leaves and retranslocation to sink organs, and 5) remobilization and retranslocation via the phloem during senescence of perennial plants. The importance of these various specific transport processes for a well-regulated Fe homeostasis in plants and new strategies to identify and characterize proteins involved in Fe transport and homeostasis will be discussed.     

Uptake and apoplastic retention of EDTA‐ and phytosiderophore‐chelated chromium(III) in maize

Increasing the mobilization and root uptake of chromium (Cr) by synthetic and plant‐borne chelators might be relevant for the design of phytoremediation strategies on Cr‐contaminated sites. Short‐term uptake studies in maize roots supplied with ⁵¹CrCl₃ or ⁵¹Cr(III)‐EDTA led to higher apoplastic Cr contents in plant roots supplied with ⁵¹CrCl₃ and in Fe‐sufficient plants relative to Fe‐deficient plants, indicating that Fe stimulated co‐precipitation of Cr. Concentration‐dependent retention of Cr in a methanol:chloroform‐treated cell‐wall fraction was still saturable and in agreement with the predicted tendency of Cr(III) to precipitate as Cr(OH)₃. To investigate a possible stimulation of Cr(III) uptake by phytosiderophores, Fe‐deficient maize roots were exposed for 6 d to Cr(III)‐EDTA or Cr(III)‐DMA (2'‐deoxymugineic acid). Relative to plants without Cr supply, the supply of both chelated Cr species in a subtoxic concentration of 1 µM resulted in alleviation of Fe deficiency–induced chlorosis and higher Cr accumulation. Long‐term Cr accumulation from Cr(III)‐DMA was similar to that from Cr(III)‐EDTA, and Cr uptake from both chelates was not altered in the maize mutant ys1, which is defective in metal‐phytosiderophore uptake. We therefore conclude that phytosiderophores increase Cr solubility similar to synthetic chelators like EDTA, but do not additionally contribute to Cr(III) uptake from Cr‐contaminated sites.     

The Bioavailability of Copper and Mercury to the Common Nettle (Urtica Dioica) and the Earthworm Eisenia Fetida from Contaminated Dredge Spoil

The contaminants Hg and Cu, as well as Fe, Mn and K were sequentially extracted from upland disposed dredge spoil using DTPA and 10% nitric acid. Concentrations of these metals in aerial plant tissue and roots of Urtica dioica growing on the dredge spoil were also determined and used to correlate the biological absorption coefficients (BACs) and mobile element absorption coefficients (MACs) with soil extractable metals. DTPA extractions were most suitable for prediction of aerial plant tissue uptake of Cu, Mn and K whilst total Hg and Fe soil concentrations were correlated with plant root BACs and MACs. A laboratory bioassay using Eisenia fetida was also used to assess the potential biological uptake of the contaminants. Both Hg and Cu were accumulated by the worms, but interpretation of the results was hampered by the inherent difficulties of such active biomonitoring.     

Foliar-applied glyphosate substantially reduced uptake and transport of iron and manganese in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plants

Evidence clearly shows that cationic micronutrients in spray solutions reduce the herbicidal effectiveness of glyphosate for weed control due to the formation of metal-glyphosate complexes. The formation of these glyphosate-metal complexes in plant tissue may also impair micronutrient nutrition of nontarget plants when exposed to glyphosate drift or glyphosate residues in soil. In the present study, the effects of simulated glyphosate drift on plant growth and uptake, translocation, and accumulation (tissue concentration) of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) were investigated in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plants grown in nutrient solution under controlled environmental conditions. Glyphosate was sprayed on plant shoots at different rates between 1.25 and 6.0% of the recommended dosage (i.e., 0.39 and 1.89 mM glyphosate isopropylamine salt). Glyphosate applications significantly decreased root and shoot dry matter production and chlorophyll concentrations of young leaves and shoot tips. The basal parts of the youngest leaves and shoot tips were severely chlorotic. These effects became apparent within 48 h after the glyphosate spray. Glyphosate also caused substantial decreases in leaf concentration of Fe and Mn while the concentration of Zn and Cu was less affected. In short-term uptake experiments with radiolabeled Fe (59Fe), Mn (54Mn), and Zn (65Zn), root uptake of 59Fe and 54Mn was significantly reduced in 12 and 24 h after application of 6% of the recommended dosage of glyphosate, respectively. Glyphosate resulted in almost complete inhibition of root-to-shoot translocation of 59Fe within 12 h and 54Mn within 24 h after application. These results suggest that glyphosate residues or drift may result in severe impairments in Fe and Mn nutrition of nontarget plants, possibly due to the formation of poorly soluble glyphosate-metal complexes in plant tissues and/or rhizosphere interactions.