Variation of tolerance to manganese toxicity in Australian hexaploid wheat

High concentrations of manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), and aluminium (Al) induced in waterlogged acid soils are a potential constraint for growing sensitive wheat cultivars in waterlogged‐prone areas of Western Australian wheat‐belt. Tackling induced ion toxicities by a genetic approach requires a good understanding of the existing variability in ion toxicity tolerance of the current wheat germplasm. A bioassay for tolerance to high concentration of Mn in wheat was developed using Norquay (Mn‐tolerant), Columbus (Mn‐intolerant), and Cascades (moderately tolerant) as control genotypes and a range of MnCl₂ concentrations (2, 250, 500, 750, 1000, 2000, and 3000 μM Mn) at pH 4.8 in a nutrient solution. Increasing solution Mn concentration decreased shoot and root dry weight and intensified the development of toxicity symptoms more in the Mn‐intolerant cv. Columbus than in Norquay and Cascades. The genotypic discrimination based on relative shoot (54% to 79%) and root dry weight (17% to 76%), the development of toxicity symptoms (scores 2 to 4) and the shoot Mn concentration (1428 to 2960 mg kg^–1) was most pronounced at 750 μM Mn. Using this concentration to screen 60 Australian and 6 wheat genotypes from other sources, a wide variation in relative root dry weight (11% to 95%), relative shoot dry weight (31% to 91%), toxicity symptoms (1.5 to 4.5), and shoot Mn concentration (901 to 2695 mg kg^–1) were observed. Evidence suggests that Mn tolerance has been introduced into Australian wheat through CIMMYT germplasm having “LERMO‐ROJO” within their parentage, preserved either through a co‐tolerance to Mn deficiency or a process of passive selection for Mn tolerance. Cultivars Westonia and Krichauff expressed a high level of tolerance to both Mn toxicity and deficiency, whereas Trident and Janz (reputed to be tolerant to Mn deficiency) were intolerant to Mn toxicity, suggesting that tolerance to excess and shortage of Mn are different, but not mutually exclusive traits. The co‐tolerance for Mn and Al in ET8 (an Al‐tolerant near‐isogenic line) and the absence of Mn tolerance in BH1146 (an Al‐tolerant genotype from Brazil) limits the effectiveness of these indicator genotypes to environments where only one constraint is induced. Wide variation of Mn tolerance in Australian wheat cultivars will enable breeding genotypes for the genetic solution to the Mn toxicity problem.     

Waterlogging Induces High to Toxic Concentrations of Iron,Aluminum, and Manganese in Wheat Varieties on Acidic Soil

Six wheat varieties with different tolerance to waterlogging were studied in acidic soil (pH 4.5), neutral soil, and potting mix (pH 6.7–7.8) under controlled conditions. Waterlogging for 49 d reduced shoot dry weight by 48% to 85% compared with drained treatments. The ranking of varieties for waterlogging changed under different soils, and this change explains why waterlogging tolerance of these varieties may vary in different environments. In waterlogged acidic soil, shoot concentrations of aluminum (Al), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) increased by two- to 10-fold, and in some varieties they were above critical concentrations compared with plants in drained soil. These elements decreased or remained the same in shoots of plants grown in waterlogged neutral soil. Marginal nitrogen (N) deficiency was induced in most varieties in all soil types. The results support the importance of screening in soils from the target environment for accurate germplasm characterization for waterlogging tolerance.     

Waterlogging effects on elemental composition of wheat genotypes in sodic soils

Waterlogging + sodicity proved more harmful than sodic or waterlogging stress individually. Wheat genotypes were evaluated for waterlogging tolerance in neutral (pH 7.8) and sodic (pH 9.3) soils. There was 50% greater reduction in overall grain yield when genotypes were waterlogged for 15 days in sodic soil than in neutral soil. This was associated with proportional reductions in biomass and productive tillers. Severe effects of waterlogging were observed on grain yield in sodic soil and the extent of damage depends heavily on the stage of development, duration, and temperature. Waterlogging reduced the concentration of macro elements (K, Ca, and Mg), whereas effects on microelements concentration were mixed, with some elements increasing (Fe, Al, Mn, and Na) and others decreasing (Cu and Zn). Significant genotypic variation was observed for grain yield and biomass under the stress treatments and KRL 3–4, KRL 99, KRL 210, and Kharchia 65 were the top performers.     

A survey of element toxicities in wheat grown in naturally waterlogged farmer's sodic fields of eastern Uttar Pradesh,India

This survey examined the element toxicities in wheat grown in naturally waterlogged farmer's sodic fields. Seven sites located in three districts (Faizabad, Pratapgarh, and Ambedkar Nagar) of eastern Uttar Pradesh, India were selected for the study. The data on soil redox potential (Eh), soil pH, soil electrical conductivity (EC), waterlogging duration, and crop age during waterlogging were recorded at the time of plant sampling in all the sites. Waterlogging caused a reduction of 21% to 65% in shoot dry weight in the survey sites. During waterlogging, the concentrations of iron (Fe), aluminum (Al), and sodium (Na) in leaves increased dramatically; the values of these elements were many folds higher than their reported critical toxicity levels (Fe-100 ppm, Al-50 ppm, and Na-8000 ppm, respectively). The results support the hypothesis that element toxicities occur during waterlogging in wheat grown in farmer's sodic field and identified Fe, Al, and Na toxicities as a major constraint for wheat production in the study area.     

Acid soil tolerances of wheat lines selected for high grain protein content

Literature suggests that nitrogen (N) metabolism is involved in differential acid soil (Al) tolerances among wheat (Triticwn aestivum L. en Thell) genotypes. Atlas 66 wheat is characterized by acid soil and aluminum (Al) tolerance, nitrate (NO₃ ^‐) preference, pH increase of the rhizosphere, high nitrate reductase activity, and high protein in the grain. Atlas 66 has been used as a high protein gene donor in the development of new high protein wheat lines at Lincoln, NE. The objective of our study was to determine the acid soil tolerances of such lines and to relate such tolerances to their abilities to accumulate grain protein when grown on near‐neutral, non‐toxic soils. Twenty‐five experimental lines, nine cultivars not previously classified as Al‐tolerant or ‐sensitive and three cultivars previously classified according to acid soil tolerance, were grown for 28 days in greenhouse pots of acid, Al‐toxic Tatum subsoil. Relative shoot dry weight (pH 4.35/pH 5.41%) varied from 83.2% for Atlas 66 to 19.3% for Siouxland. Atlas 66 was significantly more tolerant to the acid soil than all other entries except Edwall. Yecorro Roja and Cardinal were intermediate in tolerance. None of the high protein lines approached Atlas 66 in tolerance, but two lines (N87U106 and N87U123) were comparable to Cardinal (relative shoot yield = 54%) which is used on acid soils in Ohio. At pH 4.35, the most acid soil tolerant entries contained significantly lower Al and significantly higher potassium (K) concentrations in their shoots than did sensitive entries. Shoots of acid soil sensitive entries, Scout 66, Siouxland, Plainsman V, and Anza contained deficient or near deficient concentrations of K when grown at pH 4.35. Acid soil tolerance was not closely related to calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), manganese (Mn), or iron (Fe) concentrations at pH 4.35. Liming the soil to pH 5.41 tended to equalize Al and K concentrations in shoots of tolerant and sensitive entries. Results indicated that acid soil tolerance and grain protein concentrations were not strongly linked in the wheat populations studied. Hence, the probability of increasing acid soil tolerance by crossing Atlas 66 with Nebraskan wheat germplasm is low. However, the moderate level of acid soil tolerance in N87U106 and N87U123 (comparable to that of Cardinal) may be useful in further studies.     

Identification of an aluminum tolerant tropical cowpea cultivar by growth and biomass accumulation parameters

Ten‐day‐old seedlings of four cowpea (Vigna unguiculata Walp) genotypes were subjected to six levels of aluminum (Al) (0, 74, 148, 222, 296, and 370 μM/L) to test their tolerance to Al toxicity in a nutrient solution at pH 4.0±0.1. Seedlings were grown in the presence of Al under controlled environmental conditions in a growth chamber. The nutrient solutions were replenished once a week. After 20 days, treatments were terminated and the differences in their growth patterns were compared. Standard growth parameters, such as plant growth, dry matter production, relative growth reduction in roots (RGRS) and shoots (RGRS), and root and shoot tolerance indices (RTI and STI) have been used as markers of Al toxicity. The cowpea genotypes studied exhibited a wide range of responses in their tolerance to Al. Though the genotypes were subjected to six levels of Al, a good degree of separation in their responses was observed only at the 222 μM Al/L treatment level. Therefore, this concentration was chosen to treat and compare the performances of the genotypes. The genotype Co 3 showed an increase in growth, while Paiyur 1 and other genotypes showed severe inhibitions in the presence of Al. Furthermore, for RTI and STI, Co 3 also registered its tolerance to Al by showing increased ratios in the presence of Al. Whereas, Paiyur 1 recorded severe reductions. The RGRR and RGRS data also substantiates this finding. Based on the growth parameters, the four cowpea genotypes were ranked based on their tolerance to Al: Co 3 > Co 4 > KM > Paiyur 1. Co 3 was the most Al‐tolerant genotype which performed extremely well in the presence of Al, while Paiyur 1was the most Al‐susceptible genotype. Therefore, the Al‐tolerant genotype can be used for future breeding programmes to produce Al‐tolerant genotypes, subsequently, can be recommended for acidic infertile soils in the tropics.     

Manganese deficiency in wheat genotypes: Physiological responses and manganese deficiency tolerance index

Manganese (Mn) deficiency limits wheat productivity on sandy loam, calcareous and alkaline soils cropped with rice. Variation of wheat genotypes to sustain production and Mn use from Mn deficient condition was investigated to screen efficient genotypes. Forty-seven diverse wheat genotypes were evaluated on Mn sufficient (0.195 µM) and Mn deficient (0 µM) nutrient solution to elucidate physiological basis of Mn deficiency tolerance and to develop manganese deficiency tolerance index (MDTI). Shoot dry weight and mean Mn accumulation was 136.7% and 76.5% enhanced when Mn nutrition was improved, respectively. Efficient genotypes under limited Mn had lower root length/shoot weight ratio but higher relative shoot growth rate with higher shoot demand on root which reflected higher Mn influx. Genotypes were classified as tolerant (>0.66), semi-tolerant (0.33–0.66) and sensitive (<0.33) on the basis of MDTI (0–1 scale). Manganese efficient genotypes are most desirable for sustainable production of wheat under low Mn.     

Tolerance of durum wheat lines to an acid,aluminum‐toxic subsoil

Durum wheat, Triticum durum Desf., is reportedly more sensitive to aluminum (Al) toxicity in acid soils than hexaploid wheat, Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell. Aluminum‐tolerant genotypes would permit more widespread use of this species where it is desired, but not grown, because of acid soil constraints. Durum wheat germplasm has not been adequately screened for acid soil (Al) tolerance. Fifteen lines of durum wheat were grown for 28 days in greenhouse pots of acid, Al‐toxic Tatum subsoil at pH 4.5, and non‐toxic soil at pH 6.0. Aluminum‐tolerant Atlas 66 and sensitive Scout 66 hexaploid wheats were also included as standards. Based on relative shoot and root dry weight (wt. at pH 4.5/wt. at pH 6.0 X 100), durum entries differed significantly in tolerance to the acid soil. Relative shoot dry weight alone was an acceptable indicator of acid soil tolerance. Relative dry weights ranged from 55.1 to 15.5% for shoots and from 107 to 15.8% for roots. Durum lines PI 195726 (Ethiopia) and PI 193922 (Brazil) were significantly more tolerant than all other entries, even the Al‐tolerant, hexaploid Atlas 66 standard. Hence, these two lines have potential for direct use on acid soils or as breeding materials for use in developing greater Al tolerance in durum wheat. Unexpectedly, the range of acid soil tolerance available in durum wheat appears comparable to that in the hexaploid species. Hence, additional screening of durum wheat germplasm for acid soil (Al) tolerance appears warranted. Durum lines showing least tolerance to the acid soil included PI 322716 (Mexico), PI 264991 (Greece), PI 478306 (Washington State, USA), and PI 345040 (Yugoslavia). The Al‐sensitive Scout 66 standard was as sensitive as the most sensitive durum lines. Concentrations of Al and phosphorus were significantly higher in shoots of acid soil sensitive than in those of tolerant lines, and these values exceeded those reported to cause Al and phosphorus (P) toxicities in wheat and barley.     

Differential genotypic tolerance response to manganese stress in triticale

Abstract

Manganese (Mn) tolerance response in two aluminum (Al)‐tolerant triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack) varieties was characterized by measurements of growth and dry matter production of seedlings in nutrient solution culture containing 100 mg L^‐1 Mn. Root weight index (RWI) and total weight index (TWI) based on relative plant growth were two indicators of differentiating genotypic Mn tolerance; these two indices were used to make a comparative assessment of the degree of Mn tolerance in a group of eight Australian and South African genotypes which differ in apparent Al tolerance. The G4–95A was more Mn‐tolerant than its Al‐tolerant counterpart Tahara. A wide range of Mn tolerance was found in the eight genotypes, but few were tolerant of both Al and Mn stresses; measurements of RWI at 100 mg L^‐1 Mn stress differentiated them into three response types (i.e., Mn‐tolerant, moderately Mn‐tolerant/Mn‐sensitive, and Mn‐sensitive) at the two critical values of 0.30 and 0.60. Covariation analysis indicated no association between Mn tolerance and Al tolerance; selective breeding for acidic stress tolerance should focus on both stress tolerances.     

Varietal tolerance to Zinc deficiency in wheat and barley grown in chelatorbuffered nutrient solution and its effect on uptake of Cu,Fe, and Mn

Tolerance to zinc (Zn) deficiency was examined for three wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and three barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) varieties grown in chelator‐buffered nutrient solution. Four indices were chosen to characterize tolerance to Zn deficiency: (1) relative shoot weight at low compared to high Zn supply (“Zn efficiency index”), (2) relative shoot to root ratio at low compared to high Zn supply, (3) total shoot uptake of Zn under deficient conditions, and (4) shoot dry weight under deficient conditions. Barley and wheat exhibited different tolerance to Zn deficiency, with barley being consistently more tolerant than wheat as assessed by all four indices. The tolerance to Zn deficiency in the barley varieties was in the order Thule=Tyra>Kinnan, and that of wheat in the order Bastian=Avle>Vinjett. The less tolerant varieties of both species accumulated more P in the shoots than the more tolerant varieties. For all varieties, the concentrations of Mn, Fe, Cu, and P in shoot tissue were negatively correlated with Zn supply. This antagonism was more pronounced for Mn and P than for Cu and Fe. Accumulation of Cu in barley roots was extremely high under Zn‐deficient conditions, an effect not so clearly indicated in wheat.     

Manganese availability and microbial populations in the rhizosphere of wheat genotypes differing in tolerance to Mn deficiency

Plant genotypes differ in their capacity to grow in soils with low manganese (Mn) availability. The physiological mechanisms underlying differential tolerance to Mn deficiency are poorly understood. To study the relationship between Mn content in soil, plant genotypes, and rhizosphere microorganisms in differential Mn efficiency, two wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars, RAC891 (tolerant to Mn deficiency) and Yanac (sensitive), were grown in a Mn‐deficient soil to which 5, 10, 20 or 40 mg Mn kg^–1 were added. The shoot dry matter of both cultivars increased with increasing Mn addition to the soil. At all soil Mn fertilizer levels, the tolerant RAC891 had a greater shoot dry matter and a higher total shoot Mn uptake than the sensitive Yanac. The concentration of DTPA‐extractable Mn in the rhizosphere soil of RAC891 at Mn20 and Mn40 was slightly lower than in the rhizosphere of Yanac. The population density of culturable microorganisms in the rhizosphere soil was low (log 6.8–6.9 cfu (g soil)^–1) in both cultivars and neither Mn oxidation nor reduction were observed in vitro. To assess the non‐culturable fraction of the soil microbial community, the ribosomal intergenetic spacer region of the bacterial DNA in the rhizosphere soil was amplified (RISA) and separated in agarose gels. The RISA banding patterns of the bacterial rhizosphere communities changed markedly with increasing soil Mn level, but there were no differences between the wheat cultivars. The bacterial community structure in the rhizosphere was significantly correlated with the concentration of DPTA‐extractable Mn in the rhizosphere, fertilizer Mn level, shoot dry matter, and total shoot Mn uptake. The results obtained by RISA indicate that differential tolerance to Mn deficiency in wheat may not be related to changes in the composition of the bacterial community in the rhizosphere.     

Tolerances of wheat germplasm to acid subsoil

Aluminum toxicity is a major growth limiting factor for plants in many acid soils of the world. Correcting the problem by conventional liming is not always economically feasible, particularly in subsoils. Aluminum tolerant plants provide an alternative and long‐term supplemental solution to the problem. The genetic approach requires the identification of Al tolerance sources that can be transferred to cultivars already having desirable traits. Thirty‐five cultivars and experimental lines of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell) were screened for Al tolerance on acid Tatum soil (clayey, mixed thermic, typic Hapludult) receiving either 0 or 3500 mg CaCO₃/kg (pH 4.1 vs. pH 7.1). Entries showed a wide range of tolerance to the acid soil. On unlimed soil at pH 4.3, absolute shoot dry weights differed by 5‐fold, absolute root dry weights by 6.5‐fold, relative shoot weights (wt. at pH 4.3/wt. at pH 7.1 %) by 4.7‐fold and relative root dry weights by 7‐fold. Superior acid soil (Al) tolerance of ‘BH‐1146’ from Brazil and extreme sensitivities of cultivars ‘Redcoat’ (Indiana, USA) and ‘Sonora 63’ (Mexico) were confirmed. Seven experimental (CNT) lines from Brazil showed a range of acid soil tolerance but were generally more tolerant than germplasm from Mexico and the USA. One line, ‘CNT‐1’, was equal to BH‐1146 in tolerance and may be useful in transferring Al tolerance to existing or new cultivars. Five durum cultivars (Triticum, durum, Desf.) were extremely sensitive to the acid Tatum subsoil at pH 4.3 compared with pH 7.1.     

Differential manganese tolerances of cotton genotypes in nutrient solution

Cotton genotypes [Gossypium hirsutum (L.)] C‐310–73,‐307 (307) and C‐Sgl, 70–517 (517), shown previously to differ in tolerance to an acid (pH 5.1), high manganese (Mn) Grenada soil from Arkansas, were grown in nutrient solutions containing variable concentrations of excess Mn to confirm and characterize their postulated differences in Mn tolerance. Based on crinkle leaf symptoms and leaf dry weights, the 307 genotype was significantly more tolerant than 517 to 4, 8, or 16 mg Mn/L at a maintained pH of 4.6 (Experiment 1) and also to 4 or 8 mg Mn/L at an initial pH of 5.0, not subsequently adjusted (Experiment 2). In Experiment 1, the relative leaf dry weight (wt. with no Mn/wt. with 8 mg Mn/L × 100) was 94% for genotype 307 and only 27% for 517. In Experiment 2, the corresponding relative leaf weights were 75% and 26% for 307 and 517, respectively. Plant analytical results indicated that the 307 genotype tolerates a higher concentration of Mn in its leaves than does 517. This failure to correlate Mn tolerance with Mn concentrations in plant shoots agrees with previous findings when these two genotypes were grown in acid Grenada soil. Iron (Fe) concentrations, Fe/Mn ratios, and magnesium (Mg) concentrations were higher in the Mn‐tolerant 307 than in the Mn‐sensitive 517, but concentrations of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) were not related to Mn tolerance. Because differential Mn tolerance in these two genotypes is associated with differential internal tolerance to excess Mn, rather than differential Mn uptake, studies are needed to determine the chemical forms of Mn in tolerant and sensitive plants whose leaves contain comparable concentrations of total Mn. Because both Mn and Fe (closely related elements in the Mn toxicity syndrome) have spin resonances, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) offers promise in attacking the problem of differential Mn tolerance in plants.     

Sorghum genotypic differences in tolerance to excess manganese

Manganese (Mn) toxicity can be a growth limiting constraint for many plants grown on acid soil. Plant species/genotypes tolerant to Mn could help overcome detrimental Mn toxicity effects on plants grown on high Mn soils. Thirty‐seven sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] genotypes from a broad germplasm base were grown in solution culture (pH 4.5) with 0, 3.0, and 6.0 mM of added Mn above the basic solution concentration (18 μM) to determine genotypic differences in tolerance to excess Mn. Dry matter (DM) was used to evaluate 24‐day‐old plants (10 days in Mn treatments) for Mn toxicity responses. Wide variability among genotypes for differential DM was noted at 3.0 and 6.0 mM Mn. Sorghum generally tolerated high levels of Mn. Genotypes showing relatively high tolerance to excess Mn in solution were NB 9040, Wheatland, IS 7180, IS 7755, and IS 7809. Those genotypes showing relatively low tolerance to high Mn were ICA‐Nataima, Martin, IS 7173c (SC 283), IS 7321, IS 9187, IS 9785, and IS 9828. IS 7173c, an aluminum (Al)‐tolerant standard genotype, was sensitive to high Mn. Wide variability was noted among tissue culture generated lines derived from a common parent. Laboratory screening for tolerance to Mn toxicity was effective with sorghum, but results need to be verified in the field.     

Quantification of the confounding effect of seed manganese content in screening for manganese efficiency in durum wheat (triticum turgidum L. var. durum)

Whether due to the genotype or the environment of the mother plant, the nutrient content of seeds vary over a wide range; the amount of the nutrient contributes greatly to seedling vigor, especially on deficient soils and may result in major differences in grain yield. This effect has important implications for breeding programs. This paper examines the impact of seed manganese (Mn) on screening of durum wheats for tolerance to Mn‐deficient soils. Seed stocks with a range of Mn contents (0.4–2.4 μg seed^‐1) were produced, and the effect on expression of Mn efficiency measured as either relative yield or shoot Mn content for two durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) genotypes differing in Mn efficiency. Both genotypes responded to seed Mn content in terms of enhanced root and shoot growth; there was no genotype by seed Mn interaction, so Mn provided in seed was utilized additively by both Mn‐efficient and Mn‐inefficient genotypes. Manganese efficiency, measured as relative yield, was a function of seed Mn content and varied from 40 to 70% in Hazar and 58 to 90% in Stojocri 2, in the same assay using seed of variable Mn content. From the response curves of yield vs. soil Mn added, the Mn required for 90% relative yield was determined for each level of seed Mn content. Seed Mn was regressed against the soil added Mn needed to obtain 90% of maximal growth at each level of seed Mn content (a total of 8 levels) for each of two genotypes. There was an inverse linear relationship between the amount of soil Mn and seed Mn needed for each genotype. Using the Mn‐efficient genotype with high seed Mn content, the soil Mn needed to obtain 90% growth was nil, while inefficient genotypes with low Mn content required 75 mg Mn kg^‐1 soil to produce the same relative yield. This relationship can be used to adjust the levels of soil applied Mn to be used in a pot bioassay when seeds have a certain Mn content, so as to maintain the screening at an optimal overall level of Mn stress.     

Pot study on wheat growth in saline and waterlogged compacted soil: I. Grain yield and yield components

The information of soil compaction effects on growth and yield of crops for saline and waterlogged soils is scanty. A pot experiment was conducted on a sandy clay loam soil during 2001–2002 to study the interactive effects of soil compaction, salinity and waterlogging on grain yield and yield components of two wheat (Triticum aestivum) genotypes (Aqaab and MH-97). Compaction was achieved at 10% moisture level by dropping 5 kg weight, controlled by a tripod stand for 20 times from 0.6 m height on a wooden block placed inside the soil filled pots. Soil bulk density of non-compact and compact treatments was measured as 1.21 and 1.65 Mg m⁻³, respectively. The desired salinity level (15 dS m⁻¹) was developed by mixing the required amount of NaCl in soil before filling the pots. Waterlogging was developed by flooding the pots for 21 days both at tillering and booting stages. Compaction aggravated the adverse effect of salinity on grain yield and different yield components of both the wheat genotypes. Average reduction in grain yield was 44% under non-compact saline conditions against 76% under compact saline conditions. Similarly, the reduction was about 20% more for 100 grain weight and shoot length, 30% more for number of spikelets per spike, 37% more for number of tillers per plant, and 32% more for straw weight in compact saline treatment than in non-compact saline treatment. Compaction alone caused a reduction of 36% in grain yield. The effect of waterlogging on grain yield and yield components was mostly not changed significantly due to compaction. Rather waterlogging mitigated the effect of compaction for most of the yield components except for number of spikes per plant. Therefore, as for normal soils, the cultivation of salt-affected soils should employ implements and techniques which minimize compaction of root zone soil. The effect of soil compaction can also be minimized by light irrigations with short intervals and by using a stress tolerant crop genotype.     

Acid soil tolerance of soybean (Glycine Max L. Merr.) germplasm from the USSR

Nineteen soybean genotypes (ten from the former USSR, two from Brazil and seven from USA) were tested for aluminum (Al) tolerance by growing them for 21 days in greenhouse pots of acid, Al‐toxic, unlimed Tatum (Typic Hapludult) subsoil at pH 4.0 and in limed subsoil at pH 5.1. Aluminum tolerance ranking depended upon the plant traits used in the screening process. Based on absolute dry shoot weights at pH 4.0, Giessener, Brunatna, and St.‐59 (USSR), and Biloxi (USA) were most tolerant; least tolerant entries included Yantarnaya and Smena (USSR), and Davis (USA). Based on relative shoot dry weights (pH 4.0/pH 5.1 %), Giessener, Brunatna, and St.‐59 (USSR) were among the most tolerant, Bossier, Biloxi, Essex, and Perry were intermediate, and Salute 216 (USSR), Chief (USA), and Santa Rosa and IAC‐9 (Brazil) were more sensitive to the acid soil. Based on absolute root dry weights, Giessener, and St.‐59 (USSR), and Biloxi (USA) were among the most tolerant and Smena, Yantarnaya and Salute 216 (USSR), and Chief (USA) were most sensitive. Based on relative root dry weights (pH 4.0/ pH 5.1 %), Giessener was most tolerant and Smena and Salute 216 least tolerant.

Preliminary evidence indicated that soybean entries screened for Al tolerance on acid Tatum soil also differed in tolerance to naturally occurring levels of ambient ozone in greenhouses at Beltsville. The Russian entries VNIIS‐2, Giessener, and Brunatna appeared more sensitive than USA entries Perry, Biloxi, Davis, and Bossier (USA), and Santa Rosa (Brazil). Aluminum tolerance and ozone tolerance appeared to coincide in the Perry genotype. Studies on Al‐ozone‐soybean genotype relationships are being continued at Beltsville.     

花后渍水对不同耐渍型冬小麦籽粒灌浆特性的影响

江汉平原冬小麦中后期常遭受涝渍灾害,为明确花后渍水对冬小麦籽粒灌浆进程的影响,以郑麦9023（耐渍型）和扬麦20（敏感型）2个小麦品种为研究对象,利用灌排可控的测坑模拟冬小麦花后不同天数（5、9、13和17 d）的渍水胁迫,应用Richards模型对冬小麦籽粒灌浆进程进行了模拟,在此基础上分析各籽粒灌浆参数与渍水天数的关系。结果表明：花后渍水5、9、13和17 d,郑麦9023（耐渍型）分别减产10.84%、19.51%、25.93%和36.52%,扬麦20（敏感型）分别减产14.25%、25.84%、37.26%和47.84%。导致冬小麦减产的主要原因是千粒质量降低,花后渍水天数每增加1 d,冬小麦郑麦9023和扬麦20千粒质量分别降低0.961和0.996 g。Richards方程能极显著模拟花后渍水冬小麦籽粒灌浆过程,拟合方程决定系数均在0.99以上。对耐渍型冬小麦,花后渍水主要显著缩短活跃灌浆期,且主要是显著缩短籽粒灌浆快增期和缓增期的持续天数;对敏感型冬小麦,花后渍水主要显著降低籽粒灌浆三阶段的灌浆速率。花后渍水增加1 d,郑麦9023籽粒活跃灌浆期缩短0.827 d,籽粒灌浆快增期、缓增期灌浆持续天数分别缩短0.492、0.963 d,扬麦20单粒最大灌浆速率降低0.046 mg/d、单粒平均灌浆速率降低0.032 mg/d,籽粒灌浆渐增期、快增期和缓增期单粒灌浆速率分别降低0.011、0.040和0.010 mg/d。研究可揭示花后渍水致使冬小麦减产的影响过程,为冬小麦涝渍灾害防控提供理论支撑。     

Aluminum tolerance and micronutrient accumulation in cereal species contrasting in iron efficiency

Aluminum (Al) negatively interferes with the uptake or transport of different nutrients. The aim of our work was to compare the Al tolerance and micronutrient accumulation: iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn), in cereal species (winter wheat, spring wheat, winter rye, oats and barley) contrasting in Fe efficiency. Our previous screening in a calcareous soil showed that oats and barley were more Fe-efficient than spring wheat, winter wheat or winter rye. In Al stress conditions, both oats and barley exhibited more effectiveness in Fe acquisition and translocation from root to shoot in comparison to winter wheat, spring wheat and winter rye. Also, oats and barley responded to Al toxicity by less Al-retarded shoot biomass than other cereal species. A combination of tolerance mechanisms appears to have great importance for Al tolerance including mechanisms underlying Fe efficiency in cereal seedlings.     

MINERAL IMBALANCE DUE TO MANGANESE EXCESS IN TRITICALES

Acid soils, which represent a large fraction of arable soils in the world, frequently have an excess of available aluminum (Al) and manganese (Mn). In such problem soils, plant genotypes with a higher degree of tolerance to low pH and or an excess of these minerals are recommended. In previous works cereal triticale demonstrated considerable tolerance both for Al and Mn excess, but with a large variability among cultivars (cvs.). This article extends the evaluation to other cvs. and discusses the contribution of changes in mineral uptake and translocation to the growth inhibition in cases of Mn excess. Plants of nine cvs. of triticale and one of wheat were submitted to a range of Mn concentrations from 2.5 to 50 mg l^?1 and growth evaluated through dried biomass, both in the vegetative stage after 1 month of growth and after the filling of the grain. Mineral analysis that included nitrogen (N), potassium (K), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and Mn was conducted on the dried plant material. From the growth inhibition we concluded that the cvs. Juanilho, Borba, TTE 9201 and BH 1146 (wheat) are more tolerant and that the cvs. Arabian, Beagle, TTE 9101, and TTE 9203 are more sensitive. The capacity to reduce the Mn uptake and therefore to avoid very high tissue concentrations in the leaf could be a strategy contributing to a higher tolerance in TTE 9201 and wheat BH 1146. Significant decreases in Ca and Mg and increases in Zn were observed. Also a good correlation between the Mg:Mn ratio and the relative growth envolving all the cvs. was observed.