Impact of allelochemical exuded from allelopathic rice on soil microbial community

Allelopathic rice releases allelochemicals from its roots to paddy soils at early growth stages to inhibit neighboring weeds. However, little is currently known about the effects of allelochemicals on soil microbes. In this study, we show that allelopathic rice can have great impact on the population and community structure of soil microbes. Allelopathic rice PI312777 seedlings reduced the culturable microbial population and total PLFA when compared to non-allelopathic rice Liaojing-9. Similar results were observed when, instead of growing seedlings, soils were incubated with plant root exudates. This result demonstrates that the composition of root exudates from the rice varieties tested contributes to the soil microbial community. Further experiments showed that the microbial community was affected by the allelochemical 5,4′-dihydroxy-3′,5′-dimethoxy-7-O-β-glucopyranosylflavone exuded from allelopathic rice roots, through immediately hydrolyzing glucose with stimulation on soil bacteria and aglycone (5,7,4′-trihydroxy-3′,5′-dimethoxyflavone) with inhibition on soil fungi. This result indicates that the flavone O-glycoside can provide carbon and interact with soil microbes. PC analysis of the fatty acid data clearly separated the allelopathic PI312777 and the non-allelopathic Liaojing-9 variety (PC1 = 46.4%, PC2 = 20.3%). Similarly, the first principal component (PC1 = 37.4%) together with the second principal component (PC2 = 17.3%) explained 54.7% of the variation between the allelopathic and non-allelopathic root exudates. Furthermore, the canonical correlation between allelopathic root exudates and the flavone O-glycoside was statistically significant (Canonical R = 0.889, χ² (25) = 69.72, p = 0.0041). Although the data generated in this study were not completely consistent between culturable microbes and PLFA profile, it is a fact that variation in soil microbial populations and community structures could be distinguished by the allelopathic and non-allelopathic rice varieties tested. Our results suggest that individual components of rice root exudates, such as allelochemicals from allelopathic rice, can modify the soil microbial community.     

Urease,invertase, dehydrogenase and polyphenoloxidase activities in paddy soil influenced by allelopathic rice variety

Allelopathic rice variety can release allelochemicals from roots to soil in which interfere with neighboring plant and microbial species, but little is currently known about their effect on enzyme activities of paddy soils. This study showed that enzyme activities and concentrations of allelochemicals in paddy field varied with rice varieties, growth stages and moisture regime. Allelopathic rice variety PI312777 paddy fields had higher levels of soil urease, invertase, dehydrogenase and polyphenoloxidase activities when compared to non-allelopathic rice variety Liaojing-9. Furthermore, allelopathic PI312777 released much higher concentrations of allelochemical 5,7,4′-trihydroxy-3′,5′-dimethoxyflavone than non-allelopathic Liaojing-9 during the whole growth stages. Both rice root exudates and the flavone changed soil enzyme activities, but their effects could be distinguished by allelopathic PI312777 and non-allelopathic Liaojing-9 varieties tested. There was a correlation with concentrations of the flavone and enzyme activities in rice soil. The flavone increased enzyme activities, but all test enzyme activities were less responsive to the flavone in flooded soil than in non-flooded soil. The flavone given the short half-life easily degraded in rice soil, but the flavone was more resistant toward degradation in non-flooded soil. These results suggest that the urease, invertase, dehydrogenase and polyphenoloxidase activities of paddy soils may be positively influenced by allelopathic rice variety through the release of allelochemicals.     

Biochemical basis for wheat seedling allelopathy on the suppression of annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum)

The chemical basis for wheat seedling allelopathy on the growth of annual ryegrass was investigated by the identification and quantification of multiple allelochemicals from wheat seedlings. Results indicated that 58 wheat accessions differed significantly in seedling allelopathy and inhibited the root growth of ryegrass from 10 to 91%, depending on accession. Analysis of allelochemicals by GC/MS/MS indicated that allelopathy was significantly correlated with the levels of measured allelochemicals in the shoots and roots of young wheat seedlings. Ryegrass root growth was also negatively correlated with the levels of p-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, and trans-ferulic acids in root exudates. Wheat allelopathic potential was negatively correlated with the levels of the eight known allelochemicals quantified in the shoots, roots, and water-agar medium, with multiple regression coefficients (r) of -0.61, -0.71, and -0.71, respectively. In comparison with weakly allelopathic accessions, strongly allelopathic accessions produced significantly higher amounts of allelochemicals in the shoots and roots of the wheat seedlings and also exuded larger quantities of allelochemicals into the growth medium. Wheat accessions with strong seedling allelopathy might be useful for management of weeds during the establishment stage, thereby reducing the need for commercial herbicides in early-season application.     

田间旱育条件下不同化感潜力水稻根际土壤酚酸类和萜类物质分析

酚酸类和萜类是水稻化感作用研究中研究较多、争议较大的2大类化感物质,但目前有关水稻根系分泌物的研究多在实验室条件下进行。本文以国际公认的强化感水稻‘PI312777’和弱化感水稻‘Lemont’为材料,以未种植水稻的土壤为对照,研究了其在田间旱育条件下,不同土壤水分状态(旱地和湿地)时,根际土壤酚酸类和萜类物质的差异。结果表明,不同水分条件下不同化感潜力水稻品种和对照根际土壤中酚酸类物质和萜类物质的组成较为相似,但各物质含量存在一定差异。适度旱胁迫下,各处理根际土壤中所检测到的咖啡酸、对羟基苯甲酸、香草酸、阿魏酸和肉桂酸5种酚酸类物质及总量均有提高,其中强化感水稻‘PI312777’根际土壤中5种酚酸类物质提高最显著,比CK湿地处理提高2.84倍;在各处理根际土壤共检测到的27种萜类物质中,17种是含氧单萜;干旱胁迫导致各处理根际土壤单萜烯、含氧单萜、含氧倍半萜和总萜变化程度和变化趋势不同,单萜烯相对含量在强化感水稻‘PI312777’根际土壤中明显提高,而在弱化感水稻‘Lemont’和对照根际土壤中则降低。本文在此基础上讨论了由此导致2种水稻田间化感抑草效果差异的原因与机制。     

硒(Ⅳ)预处理下根表铁膜对水稻幼苗吸收和转运汞的影响

采用水培试验的方法研究硒(Se,Ⅳ)预处理下,根表铁膜对水稻幼苗吸收和转运汞(Hg)的影响。将水稻幼苗置于Se0和Se0.5(mg L-1)培养液中培养2周,再用4种不同浓度的Fe2+溶液(0、25、50和100 mg L-1即Fe0、Fe25、Fe50、Fe100)诱导水稻根表形成不同数量的铁膜,随后置于0.3 mg L-1的Hg Cl2培养液中继续培养72 h。结果表明,根表铁膜对水稻幼苗生长无显著影响,但硒可以增加其生物量。碳酸氢钠―柠檬酸三钠―连二亚硫酸钠(DCB)提取液(即根表铁膜)中含铁比例(57.3%~96.2%)显著高于水稻幼苗地上部(1.1%~17.5%)和根部(2.7%~25.9%),水稻幼苗的大部分铁被积累至DCB提取液中。随着根表铁膜数量的增加,根和地上部汞含量均显著降低。在Fe50和Fe100处理中,硒的加入显著减少了地上部和根部的汞含量,也显著降低了汞的分配系数,Se(Ⅳ)预处理能明显提高铁膜固持汞的量。综上所述,Se(Ⅳ)预处理和根表铁膜均能阻碍水稻幼苗对汞的吸收和向地上部的转运,减轻水稻汞胁迫,从而起到保护水稻避免汞毒害的作用。本研究对于提高汞污染区稻米质量和保证粮食安全具有一定的现实意义。     

油菜根系分泌物的GC-MS检测方法研究

为筛选建立BP-5MS毛细管柱检测油菜根系分泌物的方法,本文采用水培试验,利用CH2Cl2提取油菜幼苗的根系分泌物,通过GC-MS检测分离鉴定。结果表明,根据待测物质组分性质,采用合适的溶剂延迟,分阶段细化升温程序,检测出来的特征峰较多且分布密集,特征峰分离相对比较好。从检测结果看,油菜苗期根系分泌物主要包括烃类、醇类、酯类和酸类化合物,且烃类和醇类化合物的相对含量较高,这些物质大多数具有化感作用,对植物在逆境环境中的生长和发育有一定的影响。     

根系分泌物与重金属的化学行为研究

通过毛细管电泳测定根系分泌物的组成发现,根系在受到重金属铅、镉或铅-镉共同作用下分泌物种类与对照都有不同程度的变化;透析袋平衡透析方法则证实了根系分泌物与重金属之间存在着络合反应,络合能力的大小与重金属本身的性质有关,小麦根系分泌物对铅的络合能力大于镉。溶解试验表明,小麦分泌物对红壤中铅、镉的溶出没有显著的影响。小麦无菌根系分泌物、非无菌分泌物、非无菌过0.45m分泌物均促进红壤对铅、镉的吸附。其中铅吸附量较对照分别增加了12%,16%,21%;镉吸附量较对照分别增加了66%,102%,72%。     

根系分泌物的化感作用及其对土壤微生物的影响

总结了根分泌化感物质的种类及其化感效应,分析了生物和非生物因素与根系分泌化感物质之间的关系。此外,根系分泌化感物质的研究手段对于所取得的研究结果至关重要,其中根分泌物收集系统是收集根分泌化感物质的常用而可行的方法之一。对于根分泌化感物质的分离鉴定技术有多种,可根据需要选择适宜的分离方法。还列举了一些作物根分泌的化感物质对根际微生物产生的影响,阐明了根分泌的化感物质所起的重要化感作用。根分泌物化感作用的研究已成为土壤生态学领域的热点与前沿课题,自然条件下原位收集鉴定植物根系分泌物中的化感物质等诸多问题是该领域今后的研究重点。     

水稻品种间铝耐性差异的探究

铝毒是酸性土壤中限制植物生长的主要因子之一,探讨植物耐铝特性与机理对提高酸性土壤植物生产力具有重要意义。通过一系列生理和分子生物学试验,主要探究了Nipponbare和Kasalath两个水稻品种的铝耐性差异。结果发现,与Kasalath相比,Nipponbare在铝胁迫下不仅拥有较长的根伸长,且根尖铝含量较少,表明Nipponbare是水稻铝耐性品种,而Kasalath为铝敏感品种。进一步研究发现,水稻根尖控制铝吸收的NRAT1基因在Kasalath中表达量更高,表明,NRAT1基因的高表达量可能是导致铝敏感品种Kasalath根尖铝含量较高的主要原因。此外,铝胁迫下,Nipponbare根系柠檬酸的分泌量显著高于Kasalath。而且,水稻中控制柠檬酸分泌的OsFRDL4基因在铝耐性品种Nipponbare中的表达量显著高于Kasalath,由此证明,柠檬酸在这两个品种水稻耐铝途径中可能起着重要的作用,并且,该品种水稻可以通过调控OsFRDL4基因的表达量来控制柠檬酸的分泌量。本研究中还分析了其他4个与铝胁迫相关的基因,但并未发现明显的相关性,值得进一步的探究。     

Activity and allelopathy of soil of flavone o-glycosides from rice

Two flavone O-glycosides were isolated from allelopathic rice seedlings and have been identified as 5,4'-dihydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxy-7-O-beta-glucopyranosylflavone and 7,4'-dihydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxy-5-O-beta-glucopyranosylflavone. Considerable levels of these glycosides could be found in allelopathic rice tissues. They could not be detected in the soils growing these allelopathic rice seedlings. Only their aglycone, 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxyflavone, could be found in the soil. Further experiments showed that two flavone O-glycosides were exuded from allelopathic rice roots to the rihzosphere and then transformed into their aglycone form, that is, 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxyflavone, with a great diversity of biological activities on associated weeds and microbes by soil interactions once released. The glycosides degraded rapidly (t1/2 < 2 h), whereas their aglycone was more resistant toward degradation in paddy soils, in which the half-life (t1/2) at low (25 mug/g) and high (200 mug/g) doses reached 19.86 +/- 3.64 h (r 2 = 0.97) and 28.78 +/- 3.72 h (r 2 = 0.98), respectively. Furthermore, the mobility of both glycosides and their aglycone in paddy soil was evaluated by soil TLC with bioassay. The mobility of the glycosides (Rf = 0.418 +/- 0.069, n = 18) is higher than that of the aglycone (Rf = 0.361 +/- 0.048, n = 18). The results suggested that two flavone O-glycosides are formed in rice biosynthesis and that storage of the allelochemicals and their aglycone 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxyflavone is the agent of alleloapthic rice which interferes with weeds or microbes in paddy soil.     

Fate and impact on microorganisms of rice allelochemicals in paddy soil

Allelopathic rice can release allelochemicals from roots to inhibit neighboring plant species, but little is currently known about their fate and impact on microorganisms in paddy soil. This study showed that allelopathic rice PI312777 released much higher concentrations of allelochemical (5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxyflavone) than non-allelopathic rice Liaojing-9 in field. When quantitative 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxyflavone was added into soil, flavone gave a short half-life of 18.27 +/- 2.32 h (r(2) = 0.94) and could easily be degraded into benzoic acid. Benzoic acid with a half-life of 29.99 +/- 2.19 h (r(2) = 0.96) was more resistant toward degradation in paddy soil. Furthermore, both the culturable microbial population and the entire microbial community structure of soil incubated with flavone and benzoic acid were evaluated using the soil dilution plate method and phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis, respectively. It appeared from the results that flavone could reduce microorganisms especially for fungi present in paddy soil, while benzoic acid could induce a higher response for soil microorganisms especially for bacteria. Consequently, flavone would be responsible for the dynamics of soil microorganisms during the early period, and any observed effect during the late period would be very likely due to its degradation product benzoic acid rather than flavone itself. These results suggested that allelopathic rice varieties could modify soil microorganisms to their advantage through the release of allelochemicals. The concentration and fate of discriminating 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxyflavone between allelopathic and non-alleloparhic varieties tested in rice soil would result in the different patterns of microbial population and community structure in paddy ecosystems.     

Adsorption efficiency of a continuous trapping system and its use for the collection of root exudates from cucumber

Root exudates comprising soluble low‐molecular‐weight organic compounds (LMWOCs) play a crucial role in the rhizosphere processes. Therefore, accurate determination of the composition and quantity of these compounds is of importance. A continuous trapping system (CTS) with XAD‐4 macroporous resin is widely used for collecting root exudates in hydroponics, and ion exchange resins are used in the separation of root exudates into neutral, acid and basic fractions. Here, we studied the adsorption equilibrium isotherms and dynamic adsorption properties of 27 standard LMWOCs on XAD‐4 resin. The adsorption isotherms of most LMWOCs matched the Langmuir isotherm equations. Furthermore, we investigated the adsorption efficiency of the CTS for LMWOCs and the recovery ratios during fractionation by ion exchange resins. The adsorption capacities of the CTS for LMWOCs which are non‐polar or having large non‐polar moieties were higher. The recovery ratios of most LMWOCs were larger than 80% during fractionation. The overall recovery ratios of LMWOCs were ca. 10, 20, and 30% for sugars, organic acids, and amino acids, respectively. Using this collection method, we present the composition and quantity of root exudates of cucumber (Cumumis sativus L.) at four different growth stages. The major components of root exudates were similar to previous works, whereas the quantities were different. The various collection methods may be the main reason for these differences. Therefore, it is necessary to study the overall recovery ratios when the compositions of root exudates via different collection methods are compared.     

Response of Rice Seedlings to Copper Toxicity and Acidity

Metal toxicity and soil acidity affect plant growth. A hydroponic experiment was conducted to simulate effects of pH and copper concentration [Cu] on early growth and biomass production of high-yielding rice seedlings (Oryza sativa L. cv. ‘NIAB 6’). The rice seedlings were allowed to grow in Yoshida nutrient solution with 1 (control), 8, 16, and 32 μM Cu at buffered pH levels of 4.5, 5.0, and 5.5, respectively. Shoot and root growth, leaf chlorophyll content, and root lipid peroxidation and K⁺ leakage of 15-day-old rice seedlings were determined. Results show that [Cu] had significant adverse effects on rice seedlings. Shoot height and root length were reduced by 18%–60% and 7%–69%, respectively, compared with the control, and shoot and root weight decreased by 26%–56%, and 25%, respectively, in response to progressive increases in [Cu]. Similarly, leaf chlorophyll content decreased by 150%–245% compared with the control treatment. Rice seedling roots suffered from significant increases in lipid peroxidation followed by K⁺ leakage (> 8–23 times) in response to increasing [Cu]. Averaged across [Cu], seedling growth and biomass were greater at pH 5.5 than at other pH treatments. In some instances, increasing pH minimized the adverse effects of Cu at low concentrations on rice seedlings.     

不同水氮条件下水稻根系超微结构及根系活力差异

【目的】探讨不同水氮耦合对水稻根系超微结构及根系代谢特性的影响,从根尖细胞超微结构及根系活力方面阐明不同水氮组合处理在根际环境间的差异。 【方法】以新稻 20 号为材料,进行盆栽试验,设置浅水层灌溉、轻度水分胁迫 (灌 1～2 cm 水层,至土壤水势降到 –20 kPa 再灌浅水层,如此反复) 和重度水分胁迫 (灌 1～2 cm 水层,至土壤水势降到 –40 kPa 再灌浅水层,如此反复) 3 种灌溉方式及不施氮肥,适量氮 (N 240 kg/hm2) 和高量氮 (N 360 kg/hm2) 3 种氮肥水平,测定了不同处理水稻根系氧化力、根系伤流量及根系分泌有机酸总量,并观测了根系细胞超微结构。 【结果】随着生育进程,根系氧化力表现为先增加后降低的趋势,在幼穗分化期达到峰值,根系伤流液及根系分泌物中有机酸总量先增加后降低,在抽穗期达到峰值。在同一氮肥水平下,轻度水分胁迫后根系细胞完整,核膜界限清晰,结构特征典型;与保持水层相比,根系氧化力及根系伤流量在分蘖盛期分别增加 25.6%～32.0% 及 9.1%～18.8%,根系分泌有机酸总量在抽穗期前平均增加 16.4%。重度水分胁迫后嗜锇体和淀粉体较多,后期细胞完全扭曲变形,细胞间隙明显增多增大、细胞器出现断裂降解,细胞基质中仅存细胞器碎片,细胞壁较完整,未出现断裂情况;与保持水层相比较,根系氧化力及根系伤流量在幼穗分化始期平均降低 8.8% 及 25.6%,根系分泌有机酸总量平均降低 22.8%。在同一灌溉方式下,适量氮处理根系细胞结构较完整,核膜较清楚,有利于根系活力的提高及根系有机酸的分泌;重施氮处理根系细胞壁和核膜降解加速。与适量氮相比,高氮处理下根系氧化力及根系伤流量在分蘖盛期至幼穗分化始期分别降低了 6.6%～9.8% 及 7.7%～15.4%,根系分泌物中有机酸总量在抽穗前平均降低 11.6%,整体上根系活力降低、有机酸的分泌量显著减少。 【结论】轻度水分胁迫耦合适量氮处理的水稻根系超微结构最优,细胞结构特征典型,核膜最为清晰,细胞完整,根系代谢能力最强。表明通过适宜的水氮耦合调控,能够提高根尖细胞的生理功能,增强根系活力、促进根系有机酸的分泌,能为水稻的生长创造良好的根际环境。     

Allelochemicals in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.): cultivar difference in the exudation of phenolic acids

Analysis by GC-MS/MS showed that a worldwide collection of 58 wheat accessions differed significantly in the amounts of 7 known phenolic acids exuded by the living roots of 17-day-old wheat seedlings. The quantities of exuded allelochemicals varied with the specific compound and ranged from 2.3 to 18.6, from 0.6 to 17.5, from 0.1 to 4.9, from 0.0 to 52.7, from 0.33 to 12.7, from 1.5 to 20.5, and from 1.6 to 23.4 microg/L of water/agar for p-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, cis-p-coumaric, syringic, cis-ferulic, trans-p-coumaric, and trans-ferulic acids, respectively. The concentrations of p-hydroxybenzoic and vanillic acids exuded by wheat seedlings were normally distributed in the 58 accessions. The level of each phenolic acid in root exudates did not correlate well to that previously observed in wheat. In comparison with weakly allelopathic accessions, strongly allelopathic accessions exuded larger quantities of allelochemicals into the growth medium. The chemical basis for wheat seedling allelopathy is an area for further investigation.     

Root Exudates of Rice Cultivars Affect Rhizospheric Phosphorus Dynamics in Soils with Different Phosphorus Statuses

Exudation of organic acids by the roots of three rice cultivars grown in three soils of different phosphorus (P) statuses, and their impacts on the rhizospheric P dynamics and P uptake by the rice plants, were investigated. Quantum root exudates from all the rice cultivars were significantly greater at 21 days after transplantation than at panicle initiation or flowering stages. Malic acid was the most predominant organic acid present in the rice root exudates (10.3 to 89.5 μmol plant^?1 d^?1), followed by tartaric, citric, and acetic acids. Greater exudation of organic acids from rice grown in P-deficient soil by all the rice cultivars suggested response of rice plant to P stress. Results indicate that the release of organic acids in the root exudates of rice plants can extract P from strongly adsorbed soil P fraction, thereby increasing native soil P utilization efficiency and ensuring adequate P nutrition for the growing rice plants.     

不同铁形态对水稻根表铁膜及铁吸收的影响

通过溶液培养试验研究了FeCl2?4H2O和FeCl3?6H2O对水稻根表铁膜数量及铁吸收的影响。结果表明,FeCl2处理时水稻根表铁膜浓度是FeCl3处理的197%～233%。利用EDTA-BPDS对铁膜形态分析看出,根表铁膜中Fe3+占85%～92%,Fe2+占8%～15%。水稻天优998根表铁膜数量显著高于培杂泰丰,其铁吸收是培杂泰丰的115%～138%。两种铁形态处理明显提高水稻的根系活力,其中,FeCl2处理时水稻根系活力增加24%～69%,FeCl3为16%～54%。FeCl2处理时水稻根系SOD、POD和CAT活性分别增加11%～32%、15%～30%和30%～31%,但FeCl3处理没有明显影响。上述结果表明一定浓度铁处理明显增加水稻根表铁浓度和铁吸收;与FeCl3处理相比,FeCl2处理能提高根系抗氧化酶活性,增加水稻的铁吸收和根表铁膜数量。     

根系分泌物主要作用及解析技术进展

根系分泌物是植物保持根际微生态系统活力的关键因素，也是根际物质循环的重要组成部分，对根际土壤生态环境中的物质循环具有重要的驱动作用。根系分泌物可以刺激微生物生长，增强其活性，加速根际养分循环，增加土壤养分利用率，并在小规模空间引起温室气体通量的变化。此外，它也是植物参与竞争的重要策略，植物通过根分泌物以获取种间长期生存的养分，甚至分泌对自身有害的化感物质来排挤其他植物，实现自我生存，即使存在自毒作用或引起连作障碍等。植物的健康生长依赖于自身与土壤微生物复杂动态群落的相互作用，但是根际微生物群落结构和组成却又受植物物种、植物生长期、土壤性质、功能基因等因素影响，这些因素的动态变化可能导致根系分泌物的多样化，从而形成复杂多变的根系分泌物与植物的关系，进而影响植物的健康生长。目前，对植物根系分泌物的研究是土壤生态学、植物营养与代谢等领域的研究热点，且随着分析技术手段的快速发展，根系分泌物相关研究也逐渐深入，进一步揭示植物与微生物间的协同作用机理对农、林等行业生产具有重要的指导意义。     

Amino acids exuded from axenic roots of lettuce and white lupin seedlings exposed to different cadmium concentrations

The objective of this study was to evaluate if amino acids in roots and/or in root exudates play a role in cadmium (Cd) stress. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Reine de Mai) and white lupin (Lupinus albus L. cv. lublanc) were grown for 19 to 21 days with axenic roots in a hydroponic system. After treatment with various concentrations of Cd (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 μM Cd) per nine days, roots and root exudates were collected. The stress did not result in significant dry weight (DW) differences between Cd‐treated and control plants, but Cd induced decreases in relative water content (RWC) and water potential (Pm). Amino acid levels and carbon (¹⁴C) incorporation into amino acids increased at low Cd concentrations in roots. However, 100 μM Cd induced a decrease of amino acid levels and an equally significant reduction of ¹⁴C incorporation, suggesting a decreased plant metabolism. Moreover, a higher Cd concentration induced increased levels of specific amino acids, for instance asparagine and lysine in lettuce and asparagine and hydroxylysine in lupin roots. Amino acids in root exudates corresponded less than 1% of the amounts found in root cells suggesting that amino acids could not be the major Cd chelators. Amino acid accumulation in root exudates differed than that found in roots except for asparagine. In conclusion, Cd induces in the root and root exudates increased levels of specific amino acids, such as Asn, Lys and HLys similarly to other environmental stresses. Although the amino acids could not participate in Cd chelation, lysine and its derivatives, such as hydroxylysine, could be used as stress markers for Cd in higher plants.     

Metabolite profiling of shoot extract,root extract,and root exudate of rice under nitrogen and phosphorus deficiency

ABSTRACT

Root exudate is derived from plant metabolites and its composition is affected by plant nutrient status. A deficiency of mineral nutrients, such as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), strongly affects the type and amount of plant metabolites. We applied a metabolite profiling technique to investigate root exudates of rice plants under N and P deficiency. Oryza sativa was grown in culture solution containing two N levels (0 and 60 mg N L^?1) or two P levels (0 and 8 mg P L^?1). Shoot extracts, root extracts, and root exudates were obtained from the rice plants 5 and 15 days after transplanting and their metabolites were determined by capillary electrophoresis/time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Shoot N concentration and dry weight of rice plants grown at ?N level were lower than those of plants grown at +N level. Shoot P concentration and dry weight of rice plants grown at ?P level were lower than those of plants grown at +P level. One hundred and thirty-two, 127, and 98 metabolites were identified in shoot extracts, root extracts, and root exudates, respectively, at the two N levels. One hundred and thirty-two, 128, and 99 metabolites were identified in shoot extracts, root extracts, and root exudates, respectively, at the two P levels. Seventy-seven percent of the metabolites were exuded to the rhizosphere. The concentrations of betaine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, and glutarate in root exudates were higher at both ?N and ?P levels than at their respective high levels. The concentration of spermidine in root exudates was lower at both ?N and ?P levels than at their respective high levels. The concentrations of the other metabolites in root exudates were affected differently by plant N or P status. These results suggest that rice roots actively release many metabolites in response to N and P deficiency.