Assessing phosphorus efficiency and tolerance in maize genotypes with contrasting root systems at the early growth stage using the semi-hydroponic phenotyping system

Background

Development of an evaluation tool to determine genotypic variation in phosphorus (P) utilization efficiency is essential to ensure crop productivity and farmers’ income under low P environments.

Aims

This study aimed to develop an evaluation tool to determine genotypic variation in low-P tolerance and P use efficiency under low P environments.

Methods

Root response and P efficiency traits in 20 maize genotypes with contrasting root systems were assessed 32 days after transplanting into the semi-hydroponic root phenotyping system under low P (10 µM) or optimal P (200 µM) supply.

Results

Compared to optimal P, low P supply increased root-to-shoot biomass ratio by 48.7% (shoot dry weight decreased by 20.0% and root dry weight increased by 20.6%). Low P supply increased total root length by 17.8% but decreased primary root depth, with no significant change in lateral root number across all genotypes. Low P stress enhanced P utilization efficiency. Based on genotypic variation and correlations among the 17 measured plant traits in response to low P stress, nine traits were converted to low-P tolerance coefficients (LPTC), compressed by principal component analysis. The three principal component scores were extracted for hierarchical cluster analysis and classified the 20 genotypes into three groups with different P efficiency, including two P-efficient genotypes and nine P-inefficient genotypes.

Conclusions

The study demonstrated genotypic variation in response to low P stress. The P-efficient genotypes with higher LPTC values better adapted to low P environments by adjusting root architecture and re-distributing P and biomass in plant organs. The systematic cluster analysis using selected traits and their LPTC values can be used as an evaluation tool in assessing P efficiency among the genotypes.     

Effects of microplastic polystyrene, simulated acid rain and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on Trifolium repens growth and soil microbial community composition

Microplastic pollution is a global and ubiquitous environmental problem in the oceans as well as in the terrestrial environment. We examined the fate of microplastic polystyrene (MPS) beads in experimental soil in the presence and absence of symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and simulated acid rain (SAR) to determine whether the combinations of these three factors altered the growth of white clover Trifolium repens. We found that MPS, SAR, or AMF added singly to soil did not alter T. repens growth or yields. In contrast, MPS and AMF together significantly reduced shoot biomass, while SAR and MPS together significantly reduced soil available phosphorus independent of AMF presence. Microplastic polystyrene, AMF, and SAR together significantly reduced soil NO^-₃-N. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi added singly also enriched the beneficial soil bacteria (genus Solirubrobacter), while MPS combined with AMF significantly enriched the potential plant pathogenic fungus Spiromastix. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation with MPS increased the abundance of soil hydrocarbon degraders independent of the presence of SAR. In addition, the abundance of soil nitrate reducers was increased by MPS, especially in the presence of AMF and SAR. Moreover, SAR alone increased the abundance of soil pathogens within the fungal community including antibiotic producers. These findings indicate that the coexistence of MPS, SAR, and AMF may exacerbate the adverse effects of MPS on soil and plant health.     

NPK could alleviate the adverse effects of simulated acid rain in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

A study was conducted to determine the effect of macronutrients (NPK) in alleviating the adverse effects of simulated acid rain (SAR) on sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). In addition to control (T₀), three different treatments, i.e., SAR (HNO₃) of pH 3 (T₁), NPK (T₂), and SAR + NPK (T₃), were applied on two sunflower cultivars, i.e., FH-37 and FH-385. The experiment was set up in CRD (completely randomized design) with four replicates of each treatment. Chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, ion contents (NPK), and gas exchange characters were determined. Acid rain remarkably reduced the chlorophyll pigments, NPK ionic content, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance, while an increase in internal CO₂ concentration and water use efficiency was noted in both the cultivars. The mixture of NPK with SAR exhibited positive impact to lessen the toxicity caused by acid. Among cultivars, FH-385 showed better performance as compared to FH-37.     

Effects of Simulated Acid Rain on the Antioxidative System in Cinnamomum philippinense Seedlings

This study examined the importance of the antioxidative defense mechanism during the application of simulated acid rain (SAR) pH 4, pH 3, pH 2, and pH 6 as control treatment in Cinnamomum philippinense seedlings. Analysis was carried out on 1, 10, and 15 days of spraying SAR. In our results, catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APx), guaiacol peroxidase (GPOD), and glutathione reductase (GR) activity significantly were induced on 1 day of spraying SAR pH 3 and pH 2, suggesting that C. philippinense seedlings exposed to pH 3 and pH 2 acid rain for only 1 day were under oxidative stress, and antioxidant enzyme were apparently increased until 10 days of spraying SAR pH 4. However, on 10 days of spraying SAR pH 2, the accumulated intensity of acidity significantly inhibited the activities of CAT and APx accompanying with increased concentrations of malonydialdehyde (MDA). On the contrary, GPOD activity and the ascorbic acid ratio were remarkably increased when spraying SAR pH 2 for 15 days. Therefore, GPOD and ascorbate contribute to the scavenging of ROS at stronger acidity stresses. However, they were not enough to avoid cellular damage, since membrane lipids were injured, and necrosis appeared.     

Effects of simulated acid rain on the growth,nutrition, foliar pigments and photosynthetic rates of sugar maple and white spruce seedlings

Sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) and white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) seedlings were exposed to simulated acid rain (SAR) of pH 3.2, 4.3 and 5.6 for two and one-half growing seasons. Ambient rain was excluded from the treatment plots by mobile rain exclusion canopies. Sugar maple seedlings treated with pH 3.2 SAR had significantly higher foliar concentrations of nitrogen, sulphur and manganese, compared to either the pH 4.3 or 5.6 treated seedlings. The pH 3.2 treated seedlings also tended to have greater growth and photosynthetic rates compared to the pH 4.3 and 5.6 treated seedlings. In contrast, the pH 3.2 treated white spruce seedlings tended to have decreased growth and lower foliar potassium concentrations relative to the pH 4.3 and 5.6 treated seedlings. Statistically there were no significant treatment differences in seedling height, seedling diameter, foliar pigments, or photosynthetic rates in either the sugar maple or white spruce seedlings.     

Endocrine disruption in a terrestrial isopod under exposure to bisphenol A and vinclozolin

Background, aim, and scope  

In the past decade there has been an increasing awareness about the possible consequences of human and wildlife exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs). Bisphenol A (BPA) and vinclozolin (Vz) are EDCs which impacts on vertebrates have been largely investigated. Nevertheless, research on invertebrate effects, especially on soil organisms, are still largely under-represented. This work aims to extend the limited ecotoxicological datasets available and to provide tools to assess the effects of EDCs on the terrestrial species, using Porcellio scaber (Crustacea: Isopoda) as a model organism.     

A mobile rain exclusion canopy system to determine dose-response relationships for crops and forest species

A fully automated rain exclusion canopy system has been designed and constructed to study the impact of simulated acid rain on the growth and yield of agricultural crops. The system consists of three, mobile greenhouse shelters which exclude ambient rainfall and apply simulated acid rain (SAR) treatments to crops established in field plots. All aspects of the field system are controlled by a microcomputer and data acquisition system. In addition, elevated ambient levels of gaseous pollutants (e.g. O₃, SO₂, NO_x) are reduced in field plots via an air exclusion system consisting of large blowers, potassium permanganate-treated alumina filters and perforated polyethylene tubes. Gaseous pollutants can be injected into the treatment plots via the blowers.     

Simulated Acid Rain Leaching Characteristics of Acid Soil Amended with Bio-Briquette Combustion Ash

In Chongqing City, the rapid growth of the economy has accompanied an increase of sulfur dioxide emissions from coal combustion, bringing about an expansion of acid rain affected areas and acidification of soil. Recently, we reported that coal-biomass briquettes so-called bio-briquettes (BB), which are produced from pulverized raw coal, biomass, and a sulfur fixation agent (Ca (OH)₂) under 3 to 5 tons cm^?2 pressure, have high sulfur-fixation efficiency. The BB ash contains nutritive substances such as Ca and Mg, and has a large acid-neutralizing capacity. Thus, in order to improve the acid soil in the Chongqing area, we analyzed the chemical composition of the original acid soil and the ash-amended soil, and investigated their leaching characteristics under simulated acid rain (SAR). It was found that plants and crops in Chongqing area would be injured if the present acid rain continues. We carried out a SAR leaching experiment and studeid the potential toxic effects of leachate from soil containing added ash. The results indicated that the contents of most toxic elements, with the sole exception of chromium, were below the environment standard for irrigation water. Because the BB ash was highly alkaline, the leaching aluminum (Al) species would be hydroxide rather than free Al³⁺ ion.     

Insignificant acute toxicity of TiO2 nanoparticles to willow trees

Background, aim, and scope  

Manufactured nanoparticles (MNP) are expected to increase in production in near future. In response, their environmental fate and effects are intensively studied. Phytotoxicity of some types of nanoparticles has been observed for annual species in the seed germination and root elongation test. Yet, no results of toxicity tests with trees have been reported. Woody species, dominant in many ecosystems, may be vulnerable in particular due to the large porous wood compartment.     

Effects of bacterial-feeding nematodes and prometryne-degrading bacteria on the dissipation of prometryne in contaminated soil

Purpose  

Prometryne with moderate to low mobility in soil is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant in water and soil. Bioremediation is widely used to remove pollutants from contaminated soil. Bacterial-feeding nematodes have been tested on the decomposition of soil organic matter and the release of nutrients through their interaction with soil microorganisms, but little attention has been paid to their effects on the removal of herbicides in soil. In this study, we investigated the effects of bacterial-feeding nematodes (Cephalobus Bastian) on the dissipation of prometryne and microbial activity in prometryne contaminated soil.     

Effects of sulfuric,nitric, and mixed acid rain on litter decomposition,soil microbial biomass,and enzyme activities in subtropical forests of China

Acid rain pollution is changing gradually from sulfuric acid rain (SAR) to mixed acid rain (MAR) and then to nitric acid rain (NAR) with the rapidly growing number of motor vehicles. The influences of changed acid rain types on ecosystem functions, particularly on litter decomposition, remain unclear. Two dominant litter types from a coniferous forest and a broad-leaved forest were incubated in microcosms with original forest soils and treated by five types of acid rain with different SO₄²⁻ to NO₃⁻ ratios (1:0, 5:1, 1:1, 1:5, and 0:1). During a six-month incubation period, litter mass losses, soil microbial biomass, and enzyme activities were investigated. Results showed that various acid treatments inhibited litter decomposition, soil microbial biomass, and most enzyme activities, and the inhibitory effects of NAR were more significant than those of SAR and MAR. The resistance to external acid of microbial communities in broad-leaved forest was higher than that in coniferous forest. NAR and MAR treatments slowed down soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) mineralization by attenuating the correlations between litter mass losses and the enzymes involved in C, N, and P cycling. Results reveal that the ratio of SO₄²⁻ to NO₃⁻ in acid rain is an important factor which profoundly influences litter decomposition process. In the future, a decreasing ratio of SO₄²⁻ to NO₃⁻ in acid rain will be observed in subtropical forests. Thus, soil C would accumulate as a consequence of future acid precipitation, and this may seriously affect the balance of ecosystem C, N flux.     

Revisiting the fundamentals of phosphorus fractionation of sediments and soils

Introduction  

Sequential fractionation procedures have been an important tool in the study of phosphorus (P) dynamics in soils and sediments for over 50 years. Throughout this period, the various methodologies have been thoroughly reviewed, and several limitations are widely acknowledged, but there are also aspects of P fractionation that have received little or no discussion. As there are few alternatives to fractionation procedures, in order to advance the usefulness of these techniques, we need to explore the undisclosed variables that may falsely bias our interpretation.     

Sorption of estrogens,triclosan, and caffeine in a sandy loam and a silt loam soil

Purpose  

Recently, pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) have been identified in the environment. Concerns on the occurrence and fate of these compounds in soil and sediment have significantly increased. It is believed that these PPCPs sorb to soil and sediment; however, information on sorption of PPCPs is still limited. In this study, the sorption of estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2), triclosan, and caffeine to two loam soils and Ottawa sand was assessed.     

Characterizing deep soils from an impacted subtropical isolated wetland: implications for phosphorus storage

Purpose  

Soils within the Lake Okeechobee drainage basin, FL, USA, have been impacted by beef cattle and dairy operations and the landscape ditched and drained to facilitate stocking and grazing pastures. Restoring wetlands located on pastures has been proposed to reduce overland loss of phosphorus (P) by retaining it within the soils. However, soil properties of deeper horizons within impacted wetlands are rarely investigated due to the assumption that most dominant biogeochemical interactions occur at the soil–water interface. In this paper, we investigate soil properties up to 160 cm below the surface from an impacted isolated wetland and its surrounding upland pasture.     

Compost type effects on nitrogen leaching from Inceptisol,Ultisol, and Andisol in a column experiment

Purpose  

To more efficiently utilize composts as N sources while minimizing the environmental impact, it is necessary to understand the effects of compost type on N mobility in compost-amended soil with different characteristics. The objectives of this study are to investigate the effects of livestock manure composts on N leaching from soils and to identify the principal physicochemical variables of the composts that affect N leaching.     

Effects of organic amendments on soil carbon sequestration in paddy fields of subtropical China

Purpose  

Although organic amendments have been recommended as one of the practices for crop production and soil carbon sequestration, little has been done to evaluate soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics following long-term application of organic amendments. The objective of this research were to (1) assess the effect of long-term organic amendments on SOC dynamics in rice-based systems; (2) evaluate the relationship between soil carbon sequestration and carbon input based on various mineral and organic fertilization treatments.     

Recent sedimentation rates in Garaet El Ichkeul Lake, NW Tunisia, as affected by the construction of dams and a regulatory sluice

Purpose

Ichkeul National Park, NW Tunisia, is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Garaet El Ichkeul Lake is known for its seasonal variability in water level and salinity. In recent decades, the waterbody has been affected by the construction of new hydraulic structures. To reduce the impacts of dams and to maintain the sustainability of the ecosystem, a sluice was built at the outlet of the lake, and it operated for the first time in 1996. This paper describes an investigation of recent sedimentation dynamics in Ichkeul Lake, determined by radiometric dating of sediment cores.

Materials and methods

A sediment core was collected with a UWITEC gravity corer at the deepest, central part of the lake in August 2009. Specific activities of unsupported lead-210 (²¹⁰Pb) and caesium-137 (¹³⁷Cs) were measured in the core, enabling calculation of recent sediment accumulation rates (SAR). Published radiometric data from nearby sediment cores, collected in 1997 and 1982, provide a comparison.

Results and discussion

The measured excess ²¹⁰Pb inventory was 5300?±?500?Bq?m^?2, leading to an estimation of constant flux of 165?±?16?Bq?m^?2?yr^?1, a value higher than the best estimate for local atmospheric fluxes (123?±?12?Bq?m^?2?yr^?1) and the flux estimated from the core collected in 1982 (48?Bq?m^?2?yr^?1). The ¹³⁷Cs inventory was 3550?±?120?Bq?m^?2, two times higher than the historical ¹³⁷Cs atmospheric deposition in the area. The ¹³⁷Cs profile displayed a distinct peak, but the ¹³⁷Cs depth-distribution did not follow the pattern expected from atmospheric deposition. Application of the constant rate of supply (CRS) model, with the reference point method, produced a chronology and SAR values comparable to those found in previous work. The whole ¹³⁷Cs profile was quantitatively reconstructed from the historical records of atmospheric deposition, using the system-time-averaged (STA) model.

Conclusions

The CRS and STA models provide consistent sediment accumulation results for the whole data set, considering the time resolution of the chronology (~6?years) and analytical uncertainties. Results from cores sampled in 1982, 1997 and 2009 reveal an increasing SAR trend, from ~0.25?g?cm^?2?yr^?1 in the early 1940s to ~0.67?g?cm^?2?yr^?1 at present. In the 13?years since installation of sluice gates at Tinja, SAR in the central Ichkeul Lake has not declined. Thus, if siltation continues at the present rate, shallowing of the lake will seriously affect the hydromorphology and ecology of this important lake.     

Assessment of the stability of chromium in remedied soils by Pannonibacter phragmitetus BB and its risk to groundwater

Purpose

Acid rain can accelerate the acidification of the chromium-contaminated soils, resulting in chromium releasing into soil solution and causing ecological risk. The current study aims to investigate the release of chromium in the remedied soils by Pannonibacter phragmitetus BB under the simulated acid rain leaching and to assess its risk to groundwater.

Materials and methods

P. phragmitetus BB was utilized to remedy the Cr(VI)-contaminated soils at two levels (80 and 1,276 mg kg^?1) by the column leaching experiment, and the chemical remediation with ferrous sulfate was used as a control. The remedied soils by P. phragmitetus BB and ferrous sulfate were leached under the simulated acid rain to evaluate the release of chromium. Furthermore, the risk of chromium release from the remedied soils to the groundwater was assessed by a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method.

Results and discussion

The average concentrations of water-soluble Cr(VI) in the remedied soils by P. phragmitetus BB were reduced to less than 5.0 mg kg^?1. Under leaching situation with the simulated acid rain, the release of total chromium and Cr(VI) from the remedied soils by P. phragmitetus BB and ferrous sulfate declined rapidly with the extended leaching time. However, the release amounts of total chromium and Cr(VI) from the remedied soil by P. phragmitetus BB more efficiently deceased as compared with that by ferrous sulfate remediation. Carbonate-bounded, exchangeable, and organics-bonded chromium were the major chromium-releasing sources under the simulated rain leaching. After microbial remediation with P. phragmitetus BB and chemical remediation with ferrous sulfate, the risk grades of the remedied soils to groundwater declined from classes 11 to 5 and 6, respectively.

Conclusions

The risks of the remedied soils by both microbial remediation with P. phragmitetus BB and chemical remediation with ferrous sulfate to groundwater effectively decreased and microbial remediation more significantly declined the chromium risk to groundwater than chemical remediation.     

Effect of surface stone cover on sediment and solute transport on the slope of fallow land in the semi-arid loess region of northwestern China

Purpose  

In the semi-arid loess region of northwestern China, use of stone and gravel as mulch has been an indigenous farming technique for improving crop production for over 300 years. However, systematic studies on the effects of stone covers on soil and water conservation have been rarely conducted, except for a few investigations and documentations on the stone cover effects on erosion and solute transport in such a highly erodible loess region.     

Comparative analysis of SHALSTAB and SINMAP for landslide susceptibility mapping in the Cunha River basin,southern Brazil

Purpose

The Shallow Landsliding Stability Model (SHALSTAB) and Stability Index Mapping (SINMAP) models have been applied to various landslide management and research studies. Both models combine a hydrological model with an infinite slope stability model for predicting landslide occurrence. The objectives of the present study were to apply these two models to the Cunha River basin, Santa Catarina State, southern Brazil, where many landslides occurred in November 2008, and perform a comparative analysis of their results.

Materials and methods

Soil samples were collected to determine the input parameters. The models were calibrated with a landslide scar inventory, and rainfall data were obtained from three rain gauges. A comparison of their results obtained from the models was undertaken with the success and error index.

Results and discussion

Based on the maps of stability and instability areas for the study basin, the models performed well. Since the initial equations of both models are not particularly different, their results are similar. Locations with steep slopes, as well as areas with concave relief that tend to have larger contribution areas and moisture, have lower stability indexes. SHALSTAB classified only ~13 % of the total area of the Cunha River basin as unstable, while SINMAP classified ~30 % as unstable.

Conclusions

The analysis of maps based on the results of the two models shows that if SHALSTAB is correctly calibrated, based on hydrological parameters, its results could be more accurate than SINMAP in the prediction of landslide areas. Although SINMAP showed better calibration of the landslide scars, its classification over the basin results in an overestimation of stability areas. The conclusion is that SHALSTAB is more suitable than SINMAP for the prediction of landslides in the Cunha River basin, Brazil.