Stress related chances in the architecture of seedlings of three provenances of eucalyptus cakaldulensis dehnh

Abscisic acid (10^–4 M) applied via absorbent discs bound to the stems of 6 wk old E. camaldulensis seedlings caused changes in leaf shape and orientation similar to those induced by nutritional and water stress. Seedlings from the driest provenance, Tennant Creek, were more responsive to ABA than seedlings from the wettest provenance, Katherine, and the response of Petford seedlings was intermediate. Likewise, Tennant Creek seedlings were most, and Katherine seedlings least, responsive to water and/or nutritional stress. Seedlings that responded to the application of ABA produced prematurely strengthened, linear leaves with the lamina rotated from horizontal to vertical. The ability of Tennant Creek seedlings to readily assume this form may be a specific adaptation for the particularly difficult conditions in their natural environment.     

ABA和6-BA对水分胁迫下玉米幼苗碳素同化关键酶的影响

在盆栽条件下研究了ABA和6－BA对水分胁迫下玉米幼苗中一些碳素同化关键酶的影响。结果表明，水分胁迫过程中玉米幼苗的1，5－二磷酸核酮糖羧化酶（RuBPC）活性先升后降，磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧化酶（PEPC）和丙酮酸磷酸二激酶（PPDK）活性呈降低趋势。叶面喷施105mol／L脱落酸（ABA）在未水分胁迫时对其RuBPC、PEPC和PPDK活性稍有促进作用，干旱后则抑制RuBPC活性，而对PEPC和PPDK活性影响不大。喷施同样浓度的6－苄氨基嘌呤（6－BA）则显著促进水分胁迫条件下玉米幼苗3种酶活性。ABA或6－BA对水培玉米幼苗RuBPC、PEPC及PPDK活性的促进作用可被环已正胺（CHX）强烈抑制，而ABA、6－BA或CHX对萃取的酶液无直接影响，表明ABA或6－BA的作用可能与促进上述酶类的合成有关。结合叶水势、气孔阻力、叶绿素含量和光合速率等的变化，可以看出ABA或6－BA均可提高水分胁迫条件下玉米幼苗的光合作用，从而提高其抗旱性，但二者的作用方式不同。     

Water deficit and abscisic acid production of Salicornia bigelovii under salinity stress

We investigated the mechanism of growth reduction of dicotyledonous halophyte Salicornia bigelovii under salinity stress by growing it at 0.005 to 500?mol?m^?3 sodium chloride (NaCl). The optimal range for growth of S. bigelovii was between 50 and 200?mol?m^?3 NaCl. A significant correlation was found between growth and water content, which indicated that water deficit was an important factor in growth reduction at both suboptimal and supraoptimal salinities. Abscisic acid (ABA) concentration of the shoot was negatively related to growth and water content, which suggested that ABA induced by water deficit may inhibit growth at both the suboptimal and supraoptimal salinities. The cause of water deficit at supraoptimal salinity might be caused by nutritional imbalance and osmotic stress due to the low osmotic potential of the external solution. However, limited salt uptake may be one of the causes of water deficit under suboptimal salinity. We discuss a sodium ion (Na⁺) specific deficit rather than salt deficit as another possible cause of water deficit.     

Growth,nutrient acquisition,and physiological responses of three olive cultivars to induced salt stress

Three olive (Olea europaea L.) cultivars Nabali Baladi (NB), Nabali Muhassan (NM), and Grossi Di'Espagna (GE) were evaluated under salt stress. Seedlings were treated with salinity induced by a 3:1 ratio of calcium chloride and sodium chloride to four concentration levels measured as electrical conductivity (EC) [1.2, 4.1, 7.0, and 14.0 dS/m] for 122 days. Olive seedlings varied in their response to salinity. In all treatments, NB had the highest root; stem and leaf dry weights had among the highest total plant dry weights, specific stem length (SSL) and relative water content (RWC). NB seedlings maintained the highest stomatal conductance at 7.0 dS/m and highest chlorophyll index at 14.0 dS/m. Olive seedlings that tolerated salt tolerance developed mechanisms of nutrient acquisition and distribution in the organs, by storing minimal amounts of sodium (Na⁺) and chloride (Cl^?) in the stems and loading the most in the leaves and roots.     

H+‐atpase and H+‐transport activities in tonoplast vesicles from barley roots under salt stress and influence of calcium and abscisic acid 1

Seedlings of two barley cultivars differing in NaCl sensitivity were treated with low (100 mM) or high (400 mM) concentration of NaCl for 6 days. Tonoplast vesicles were prepared from roots, and H⁺‐ATPase and H⁺‐transport activities associated with tonoplast were assayed. Both H⁺‐ATPase and H⁺‐transport activities in the two cultivars were increased at 100 mM NaCl. These activities also increased in the salt‐tolerant cultivar at 400 mM NaCl, but in salt‐sensitive cultivar were decreased. In vivo treatment with 10 mM Ca²⁺ stimulated H⁺‐ATPase and H⁺‐transport activities at two levels of NaCl, however, treatment with 10⁵M (±) abscisic acid (ABA) inhibited these activities. From these results we propose that the increase of the vacuolar H⁺ pumps in barley roots reflects an adaptation to salt stress. The stimulation of HVATPase and H⁺‐transport activities by calcium (Ca) depends mainly on its effect in maintaining stability of membrane under salt stress.     

Under drought conditions NaCl improves the nutritional status of the xerophyte Zygophyllum xanthoxylum but not of the glycophyte Arabidopsis thaliana

Zygophyllum xanthoxylum is a salt‐accumulating xerophytic species with excellent adaptability to adverse environments. Previous studies demonstrated that Z. xanthoxylum absorbs a great quantity of Na⁺ as an osmoregulatory substance under arid conditions. To investigate the nutritional status of Z. xanthoxylum in comparison with a typical glycophyte, Arabidopsis thaliana, seedlings were exposed to NaCl (50 mM for Z. xanthoxylum and 5 mM for A. thaliana), osmotic stress (–0.5 MPa), and osmotic stress combined with the NaCl treatment. Compared to the control, NaCl treatment or osmotic stress significantly increased Na⁺ concentration in leaves and roots of Z. xanthoxylum, but not of A. thaliana. Under osmotic stress, the addition of NaCl significantly increased Na⁺ concentration in leaves and roots of Z. xanthoxylum, resulting in improved biomass and tissue water content. However, such changes were not observed in A. thaliana. Compared to the control, K⁺ concentrations in leaves and roots remained unchanged in Z. xanthoxylum when exposed to osmotic stress, with or without additional 50 mM NaCl. In contrast, significant reductions in shoot K⁺ concentrations of A. thaliana were observed under osmotic stress alone or when combined with 5 mM NaCl. Moreover, NaCl alone or when combined with osmotic stress enhanced the accumulation of N, P, Fe, Si, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ in Z. xanthoxylum, but did not cause such nutritional changes in A. thaliana. Compared to the glycophyte A. thaliana, Z. xanthoxylum could accumulate Na⁺ and maintain the stability of nutritional status at a relatively constant level to cope with drought stress.     

Effects of Ozone and/or Soil Water Stress on Growth and Photosynthesis of Fagaus Crenata Seedlings

The effects of ozone (O₃) and soil water stress, singly and in combination, on the growth and photosynthesis of Fagus crenata seedlings were investigated. Four-year-old seedlings were exposed to charcoal-filtered air (< 5 nmol mol^?1 O₃) or 60 nmol mol^?1 O₃, 7 hours per day (11:00–18:00), for 156 days from 10 May to 11 October 1999 in naturally-lit growth chambers at 20/15 °C (6:00–18:00/18:00–6:00). During the same period, half of the seedlings in each gas treatment received 250 mL of water at the 3-day intervals (well-watered treatment), while the rest received 175 mL of water at the 3-day intervals (water-stressed treatment). The exposure of the seedlings to O₃ caused reductions in the leaf, stem, root and whole-plant dry weights. The net photosynthetic rate at 350 µmol mol^?1 CO₂, the maximum net photosynthetic rate at saturated CO₂-concentration, carboxylation efficiency of photosynthesis and Rubisco content were significantly reduced by the exposure to O₃. The soil water stress induced reductions in the stem, bud and whole-plant dry weights, transpiration rate and leaf water potential during the midday. The additive effects of O₃ and soil water stress were observed on the dry matter production, leaf gas exchange rates and leaf water potential. As a result, the whole-plant dry weight of the seedlings exposed to both stresses was markedly reduced compared with that of the seedlings exposed to charcoal-filtered air and grown in the well-watered treatment.     

Influence of O3, rainfall acidity,and soil Mg status on growth and ectomycorrhizal colonization of loblolly pine roots

Root biomass, length, and branching frequency, and number and type of mycorrhizal short roots were determined for loblolly pine seedlings grown at two levels of soil Mg and exposed to chronic levels of O₃ and simulated acidic rainfall. Seedlings were planted in a sandy loam soil having approximately 15 or 35 mg kg^?1 Mg and were exposed to subambient; ambient, or twice ambient concentrations of O₃ in open top chambers from May through October. Seedlings also received ambient amounts of simulated rainfall at pH 3.8 or 5.2. Root biomass, length, and branching frequency were not significantly affected by O₃, rainfall acidity, or soil Mg treatments. Seedlings grown in the subambient O₃ treatment had a greater number of short roots infected with mycorrhizae than seedlings grown in ambient or twice ambient O₃ treatments, but trends were not statistically significant. Increasing rainfall acidity and soil Mg concentration resulted in a significantly (P = 0.07) greater number of mycorrhizal short roots, due primarily to an increased occurrence of one corraloid mycorrhizal type. Results suggest that mycorrhizal fungi differ in their response to O₃, rainfall acidity, and soil Mg status, and suggest that mycorrhizal infection is more sensitive than seedling root growth to O₃, acidic rainfall, and soil Mg status.     

Shoot and root growth of rice seedlings as affected by soil and foliar zinc applications

Abstract

The present study investigated how foliar zinc (Zn) application affects seedling growth and Zn concentration of rice grown in a Zn-deficient calcareous soil with different soil Zn treatments. Seeds were sown in soil with five rates of Zn (0, 0.02, 0.1, 0.5 and 5.0?mg kg^?1 soil) with and without foliar application of 0.5% ZnSO₄. Seedlings were harvested at 35?days and separated into (i) the youngest leaves, (ii) the remaining shoot parts and (iii) roots. In soil with no Zn supply, shoot and root dry weight of the rice seedlings were significantly increased by foliar and soil Zn treatments. Plant growth was not clearly increased in low soil Zn treatments, while at each soil Zn treatment, foliar Zn application promoted growth of plants. Plants with adequate Zn supply had the highest Zn concentrations in the youngest leaf. Foliar Zn spray improved Zn concentration of the new growth formed after foliar spraying which shows that Zn is phloem mobile and moved from treated leaves into youngest new leaves. The results indicate clearly in rice seedlings that shoot growth shows more responsive to low Zn than the root growth. The results obtained in the present study are of great interest for proper rice growth in Zn-deficient calcareous soils but needs to be confirmed in other rice genotypes.     

Silicon-mediated genotoxic alterations in Brassica juncea under arsenic stress: A comparative study of biochemical and molecular markers

Arsenic (As), one of the most harmful toxicant at the global level, severely affects plant metabolism when taken up. Interestingly, the presence of silicon (Si) as a fertilizer in As-contaminated soil is an effective strategy to decrease As accumulation in plants. Brassica juncea (var. Varuna) were grown hydroponically to investigate the role of Si at biochemical and molecular levels under arsenite (As³⁺) stress. Seedlings of B. juncea were exposed to As³⁺, Si, and a combination of both elements. Our data demonstrated that seedlings exposed to As³⁺ showed an inhibition in shoot length, chlorophyll, carotenoid, and protein, while co-application of Si improved these growth parameters. Silicon supplementation reduced As accumulation in shoot. Increase/decrease was observed in stress-related parameters (cysteine and proline), antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, and catalase), and oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde and H₂O₂), which were improved upon co-application of Si as compared to As³⁺ alone treatment. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) is a suitable biomarker assay for plants for assessing the genotoxicity. Seven RAPD primers produced a total of 39 and 48 bands in the leaves of the untreated and treated seedlings, respectively. The RAPD band-profiles and genomic template stability were consistent with other growth and physiological parameters. In conclusion, the genotoxic alterations along with the biochemical parameters indicate that the exposure to Si mitigates As³⁺-induced oxidative stress by improving the stress-related parameters and antioxidant system in B. juncea.     

Growth of Pinus Taeda L. Seedlings varies with Family and ozone exposure level

Loblolly pine seedlings of five half-sib families were grown under ambient, subambient (approximately 0.6 × ambient), and elevated [ambient + 60 ppb O₃ (120 μg m^?3)] O₃ levels for one growing season in open-topped chambers. Diameter and height of the seedlings were measured periodically over the growing season, and above ground and below ground biomass were determined at harvest. Significant genetic differences were found in above ground volume (D ²H) 1 mo after 03 fumigation began and continued until harvest. Biomass of secondary needles and coarse and fine roots also differed significantly among families. Elevated O3 resulted in significantly decreased D ²H and secondary needle biomass relative to seedlings grown in ambient air. Seedlings receiving subambient O₃ levels were intermediate in size, but were not significantly different from seedlings fumigated at ambient O₃ levels. Root and stem biomass did not differ significantly among treatments. A significant interaction of O₃ and genotype was detected, suggesting that the response of loblolly pine to O₃ is influenced by genotype.     

Effect of ectomycorrhizae on the growth and uptake and transport of 15N-labeled compounds by Pinus tabulaeformis seedlings under water-stressed conditions

 Seedlings of Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis Carr.) were grown in a growth chamber using a sterilized soil/sand/vermiculite mixture, and were inoculated with the ectomycorrhizal fungus Cenococcum graniforme (Sow.) Ferd. and Winge. The function of external mycelium of ectomycorrhiza for uptake and transport of N from ¹⁵N-labeled NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^– for plant nutrition was evaluated under well-watered conditions and water stress. The pots comprised two-compartments, whereby the penetration of roots was prevented by a nylon mesh bag which the mycorrhizal hyphae were allowed to pass in order to colonize the rest of the pot. ¹⁵N-labeled NH₄ ⁺ or NO₃ ^– was applied to the area of the pot to which the root had no access. At harvest, the ¹⁵NH₄ ⁺ concentration in plant tissues was significantly promoted by the formation of mycorrhizae both under well-watered conditions and water stress. The ¹⁵NO₃ ^– concentration was reduced by water stress and increased by mycorrhizal formation. The enhancement of ¹⁵NO₃ ^– uptake caused by mycorrhizal formation was more evident under water stress than under well-watered conditions. The external mycelia of the ectomycorrhizae took up and transported NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^– from the soil to the plant, thereby improving plant nutrition and growth, in addition to helping the plants to avoid the effects of water stress. Received: 31 October 1997     

Recovery of benthic invertebrate communities in silver bow creek,montana, following improved metal mine wastewater treatment

Silver Bow Creek, a tributary of the Clark Fork River in southwest Montana, has been affected by metal mining and domestic wastes for over 100 yr. The invertebrate community was monitored at five stations from 1972 through 1983 to determine both the longitudinal and temporal patterns of recovery following major improvements in mine wastewater treatment. This treatment dramatically reduced metal concentrations in the mine discharge. Despite markedly improved water quality, no invertebrates were collected in Silver Bow Creek until 1975, when small numbers of invertebrates (primarily chironomids) were collected at the furthest downstream stations. A few invertebrates (<75 m^?2) were collected for the first time at Stations 1 and 2 in 1981, although the lower stations still had much greater densities (> 1600 m^?2). The earliest colonizers at each station were chironomids, empidids, and oligochaetes. In 1982, 10 yr after initiation of improved water quality, aquatic insect populations were over 1800 m^?2 at all five stations. Populations dropped in 1983, but upper and lower stations had comparable densities suggesting that the stream is responding to a common stress such as high snowmelt runoff. The relatively long recovery time is partially attributed to the lack of an undisturbed headwater source of colonizers.     

Effects of Precipitation on Nonpoint Sources of Nitrogen Contamination to Surface Waters in the U.S. Great Plains

Declining surface water quality is of great concern across the Great Plains. Recent trends in the earth’s climate can create abrupt changes in precipitation, which can alter the impact of nonpoint sources on water quality. A 2-year study [dry (2009) and wet (2010) year] was initiated to assess the impact of nitrate nitrogen (N) loss from the Roca watershed on water quality in Salt Creek. The water flow and nitrate N concentration was determined weekly in Salt Creek. The predicted average nitrate N concentration in runoff during the dry year (38.3 mg L^?1) was almost five times greater than that (7.9 mg L^?1) for the wet year. However, the predicted amount of nitrate N in runoff was similar for both years because the runoff for the wet year (51.8 million m³) was about five times greater than that for the dry year (10.7 million m³). The total amount of nitrate N found in Salt Creek was 18 and 127 metric tons for the dry and wet years, respectively. These data implied that 95% (dry year) and 69% (wet year) of the nitrate N has been removed from streams water in Salt Creek. Factors responsible for removing nitrate N from water include heavy growth of algae, weeds, and aquatic plants as well as denitrification and volatilization reactions. The predicted amount of nitrate N lost from soils by leaching was almost seven times greater for the wet (1,037 metric tons) than the dry year (156 metric tons). It was concluded that high precipitation for the wet year raised both the amount of nitrate N in runoff and loading into Salt Creek and could increase the negative impact on water quality.     

Response of Picea abies (L.) Karst. Provenances to sulphur dioxide and aluminum: A pilot study

Seedlings of six Picea abies provenances were exposed to Al, SO₂ and A1+SO₂ for 12 weeks. A molaric Ca/Al ratio of 0.05 was chosen by using 1.68 mM Al. On the average, concentration of SO₂ was 335 μg m^?3. Shoot and root growth were measured and needle discoloration was scored for different pollution regimes. Plant response to different environmental stresses differed significantly among the provenances used and showed marked provenance x treatment interactions. It is noteworthy that the high intraspecific variation of the traits investigated could cause misleading conclusions in nongenetic studies if inappropriate plant material is employed.     

粤油7号花生AhNCED1基因启动子克隆及其活性分析

AhNCED1是干旱胁迫下花生中调控脱落酸（abscisic acid,ABA）生物合成的关键基因。本文采用基于PCR的基因组DNA步移法,从抗旱性强的粤油7号花生中克隆AhNCED1基因起始密码子ATG上游2392bp启动子序列,构建该启动子驱动报告基因GUS的植物双元表达载体pAhNCED1p∷GUS,转化野生型拟...     

Exposure to SO2 and water stress in Picea Abies (L.) Karsten

The purpose of this research was to analyze the responses of Norway spruce Picea abies (L.) Karsten to SO₂, at a subnecrotic concentration (230 μg SO₂ m^?3 ), and to water stress using seedlings and 5 yr-old plants. In a first period, the plants were exposed to SO₂ for 6 weeks; then they were simultaneously exposed to SO₂ and to water stress for 1 week for the case of seedlings and 2 weeks for the 5 yr-old plants. The plants were then rewatered, but maintained under exposure to SO₂. Their morphological and physiological characteristics were analyzed and compared to non-SO₂ exposed plants. It was shown that there were no differences between SO₂ exposed and non-exposed irrigated plants, specifically water content and water potential were not altered. After water stress the non-SO₂ exposed seedlings and plants showed good revival upon rewatering. In contrast, the two simultaneous stresses were very damaging to the plants. Despite a better initial recovery upon rewatering, 50% of the continuously SO₂ exposed plants died and, after 5 weeks of rewatering, the remainder showed altered water content and water potential. These results are discussed.     

Effect of salinity and soil temperature on the growth and physiology of drip-irrigated rice seedlings

Drip irrigation offers potential for rice (Oryza sativa L.) production in regions where water resources are limited. However, farmers in China’s Xinjiang Province report that drip-irrigated rice seedlings sometimes suffer salt damage. The objective of this study was to learn more about the effects of soil salinity and soil temperature on the growth of drip-irrigated rice seedlings. The study consisted of a two-factor design with two soil salinity treatments (0 and 1.8 g kg^?1 NaCl) and three soil temperature treatments (18°C, 28°C and 36°C). The results showed that shoot biomass, root biomass and root vigor were greatest when seedlings were grown with no salt stress (0 g kg^?1 NaCl) at 28°C. Moderate salt stress (1.8 g kg^?1 NaCl) combined with high temperature (36°C) significantly reduced root and shoot biomass by 39–53%. Moderate salt stress and high temperature also increased root proline concentration by 77%, root malonyldialdehyde concentration by 60% and seedling mortality by 60%. Shoot and root Na⁺ concentrations, shoot and root Na⁺ uptake and the Na⁺ distribution ratio in shoots were all the greatest when moderate salt stress was combined with high temperature. In conclusion, high soil temperature aggravates salt damage to drip-irrigated rice seedlings. Therefore, soil salinity should be considered before adopting drip-irrigation for rice production.     

Distribution pattern of radiocalcium (Ca45) and radiosulphur (S35) in citrus seedlings under normal and deficient conditions of different micronutrient elements

Fourty days old seedlings of Rough lemon (Citrus jambhiri L.) were subjected to copper, zinc, iron, manganese and boron deficiencies in solution cultures. The autoradiographic technique was adopted for investigating the pattern of absorption and distribution of Ca⁴⁵ and S3⁵ in the citrus seedlings under imbalance nutritional conditions. The radioactive material was fed when the seedlings exhibited characterstic symptoms of deficiencies, and different pattern of uptake and accumulation was noticed.     

PEG预处理对盐及镉胁迫下黑麦草生理代谢的影响

为了探讨PEG预处理对盐胁迫和镉胁迫下多年生黑麦草幼苗生理特性的影响,将黑麦草幼苗分别用0,5%,10%,15%,20%,25%(对应水势分别为0,-0.05,-0.15,-0.30,-0.50,-0.77 MPa)的PEG-6000营养液进行预处理后,分别用含150 mmol/L NaCl和Cd~(2+)浓度为10 mg/L的胁迫液培养,然后测定黑麦草幼苗叶片的光合色素含量、MDA含量、游离脯氨酸含量、可溶性糖含量及抗氧化酶(SOD、POD、CAT、APX)活性。结果表明:盐胁迫下15%(-0.30 MPa)PEG预处理和镉胁迫下10%(-0.15 MPa)PEG预处理可以有效提高多年生黑麦草的光合色素含量,降低MDA、游离脯氨酸含量,增加可溶性糖含量,提高抗氧化酶活性。PEG预处理下多年生黑麦草在遭受逆境胁迫时,受到多种生理生化的调节,其生理指标的动态变化是黑麦草应答逆境因子胁迫的重要调节机制,体现了其对逆境胁迫的适应能力以及在多种逆境胁迫下的交叉适应能力。