含磷物质对铅耐性与敏感性植物生长及磷铅吸收的影响

将耐性植物芥蓝（Brassicacapitata）与敏感植物小白菜（Brassica chinenzis）暴露于含Pb的营养液中,通过添加磷灰石矿尾料（PR）、重过磷酸钙（TSP）及二者混合物（P＋T）处理,研究含磷物质对两种植物吸收Ph的影响以及Pb在植物根表面形态变化过程。结果显示：添加含磷物质降低了耐性植物芥蓝根部Pb的含量,但对地上部Ph吸收的影响不显著;对敏感植物小白菜来说,PR和P＋T处理的植物根部及地上部Pb的含量与对照基本一致,而TSP处理促进了Pb的吸收,表现出小白菜根部及地上部Pb的含量显著高于对照组。含磷物质添加诱导了Pb在植物根表面形成Pb5（PO4）3Cl、Pb5（PO4）3OH的沉淀,但这并没有直接导致两种植物对Pb吸收量的减少。     

不同镉耐性水稻非蛋白巯基及镉的亚细胞和分子分布

采用镉（Cd）耐性不同的水稻品种N07-6和N07-63,通过室内水培试验,比较了50 μmol·L-1Cd胁迫下水稻的非蛋白巯基（NPT）、Cd的亚细胞和分子分布的差异。结果表明,Cd处理后,两品种水稻植株Cd含量存在明显差异,N07-63根部向地上部转移的Cd显著少于N07-6。Cd胁迫诱导了两个品种NPT含量的增加,N07-63的增幅显著高于N07-6。Cd绝大部分分布在水稻的细胞壁和细胞可溶部分。N07-63茎叶和根部细胞壁结合的Cd占总Cd的比例高于N07-6,而细胞可溶部分Cd的比例低于N07-6。从Cd的分子分布来看,水稻茎叶细胞可溶部分的Cd一部分与大分子量蛋白质结合,其余大部分与植物螯合肽（PCs）结合,而根细胞可溶部分的Cd绝大部分与PCs络合,N07-63的Cd-PCs结合程度高于N07-6。由此说明,与N07-6相比,N07-63细胞壁对Cd的束缚和细胞可溶部分Cd-PCs的络合程度更高,Cd的毒害效应更小,向地上部转运的Cd更少。     

砷超积累植物粉叶蕨及其对砷的吸收富集研究

采用盆栽模拟试验,研究了澳大利亚蕨类植物粉叶蕨对砷的耐性及吸收富集砷的特征,同时比较了澳大利亚粉叶蕨(Pityrogramma calomelanos(L.)Link var.austroamericana(Domin)Farw)和中国蜈蚣草(Pteris vit-tats L.)在澳大利亚的Kurosol土壤上对As的吸收积累差异及植物修复效率.研究结果表明,在As投加浓度为2 400 μmol/kg时,虽然粉叶蕨的生长受到一定抑制,但仍维持了较高的地上部生物量;地上部As含量达到2438.33 mg/kg DW时,超过了砷超积累植物的临界含量标准(1 000 mg/kg);地上部As积累量为21.6 mg/株DW时,地上部对As的生物富集系数为18.6,地上部As含量大于根系As含量,基本符合As超积累植物的基本特征.与As超积累植物蜈蚣草相比较,暴露在As浓度为2 400 μmol/kg环境时,中国蜈蚣草对砷的耐性、地上部As含量及生物富集等方面均明显优于澳大利亚粉叶蕨,其地上部As含量和积累量分别为2 936.13 mg/kgDW和41.1 mg/株DW.     

小麦根尖细胞壁对铝的吸附/解吸特性及其与耐铝性的关系

研究了耐铝性明显差异的2个小麦基因型西矮麦1号(耐性)和辐84系(敏感)根系对铝毒胁迫的反应与根尖细胞壁组分以及细胞壁对铝的吸附和解吸的关系。结果表明,30mol/L.AlCl3可迅速抑制小麦根系伸长,但对辐84系根系伸长的抑制更为明显,且小麦根系相对伸长率随着铝浓度的提高而急剧降低。在30mol/L.AlCl3处理24h后,西矮麦1号根系伸长的抑制率为33.3%,而辐84系根系伸长的抑制率高达70.9%。小麦距根尖0～10.mm根段的铝含量和细胞壁中果胶糖醛酸含量显著高于10～20.mm根段,且前者对铝的累积吸附量明显大于后者;在0～10.mm根段,敏感基因型果胶含量高于耐性基因型,其根尖含铝量及根尖细胞壁对铝的吸附量都要大于后者。采用1.0.mol/L.NH3.H2O对细胞壁预处理2.h降低果胶甲基酯化程度后,耐性和敏感基因型根尖细胞壁对铝的累积吸附量分别降低了17.1%和20.9%,但对铝的累积解吸率没有影响。由此可见,小麦根尖是铝毒的主要位点,细胞壁果胶含量和果胶甲基酯化程度可能是导致不同小麦基因型根尖细胞壁对铝吸附量、铝积累量的差异及其对铝毒胁迫反应的差异的重要原因。     

铝毒胁迫下磷对荞麦根系铝形态和分布的影响

以2个荞麦（Fagopyrum esculentum Moench）品种＂江西荞麦＂（铝耐性）和＂内蒙荞麦＂（铝敏感）为材料,采用水培法,研究铝毒胁迫下磷对荞麦根系总铝和单核2种形态以及Al在根尖和细胞壁中的分布情况的影响。结果表明,与200μmol/L Al处理相比,1.0mmol/L磷预处理分别使江西荞麦和内蒙荞麦的相对根长增加了24.4%和35.9%,根系总Al含量分别降低了18.2%和22.5%,根系单核Al含量分别降低了95%和63.2%。根尖细胞壁荧光检测结果为在单Al胁迫下细胞壁的荧光强度最大,1.0mmol/L磷预处理大幅度减弱细胞壁的荧光强度。表明外源磷供应可降低根系总Al和单核Al含量,使毒性形态的铝转化为无毒形态,以及减少Al在根尖以及细胞壁的积累,以缓解Al对根伸长的抑制,提高荞麦根系的抗铝毒害能力。     

铜盐毒害对紫鸭跖草养分吸收和生长的影响

通过含有不同浓度CuSO4的Hoagland营养液培养紫鸭跖草枝条,研究了紫鸭跖草对铜的耐性和超积累以及铜胁迫下紫鸭跖草生长和营养状况.结果表明:紫鸭跖草根部铜的积累量低浓度Cu2 供应时增加幅度不大,高浓度Cu2 供应时增加幅度较大;茎部的情况与根部相似;但叶部在低浓度Cu2 供应时铜的积累量几乎没有变化,高浓度Cu2 供应时铜的积累量增幅较大.在500 μmol · L-1和1 000 μmol · L-1铜处理下,紫鸭跖草整株铜积累量分别为866 mg · kg-1(DW)和1 130 mg · kg-1(DW).紫鸭跖草对铜的吸收和转运效率与铜的供给量呈正相关性.100～250 μmol · L-1铜的供应能明显促进紫鸭跖草生长.高浓度铜促进了钾、钙的吸收而阻碍了锌的吸收及镁向地上部分的运输,尽管如此,氮、磷、钾、镁、钙的浓度均在满足常规植物正常生长的浓度范围内.铜胁迫下对根部蛋白质表达活跃,氨基酸含量增加.研究结果表明紫鸭跖草对铜有很大耐性和富集能力.     

不同玉米品种萌发期耐芘胁迫的响应差异

为了评定不同玉米品种对芘的耐性强弱,确定合适的筛选指标和筛选浓度,以0mg·L-（1T0,对照）、0.5mg·L-（1T1）、1.0mg·L-（1T2）和2.0mg·L-（1T3）4个芘处理浓度,采用毒理学试验方法系统评价了14个玉米品种萌发期耐芘胁迫的差异。结果表明,不同品种玉米根干重、芽干重、根长和芽长都受到芘的影响,且这种影响的程度随着芘处理浓度不同而不同,不同品种玉米萌发对不同芘处理浓度的响应也不同,其中2.0mg·L-1的浓度处理适合进行玉米耐芘品种的筛选与鉴定。以根干重、芽干重、总干重、根长和芽长的性状相对值（处理测定值/对照测定值×100%）作为幼苗耐性指数（tolerance indices,TI）适合作为筛选指标。基于耐性指数对各玉米品种耐性进行聚类分析,将14个玉米品种聚为耐性、较耐性、较敏感和敏感4类。     

水稻根尖边缘细胞对铁毒的形态生理响应

以水稻(Oryza sativa L.)品种Azucena（铁耐性）和IR64（铁敏感）为材料,研究了Fe2+毒胁迫下附着于根尖边缘细胞(即原位边缘细胞)的数目、存活率,根尖细胞形态结构、根尖保护酶活性的变化。结果显示,Fe2+ 毒对根边缘细胞的产生有抑制作用。相对于敏感性品种而言,一定浓度Fe2+(100~200 μmol/L)有利于耐性品种边缘细胞的产生;Fe2+ 毒对边缘细胞有致死效应,随Fe2+浓度的提升,边缘细胞的存活率呈下降趋势,根尖外围细胞壁增厚,并出现细胞程序性死亡特征(敏感性品种)。同时,Fe2+ 毒对根尖保护酶活性有一定的影响,200~400 μmol/L Fe2+处理下,耐性品种POD、CAT、SOD活性都超过对照;敏感品种只有SOD活性超过对照。说明Fe2+毒胁迫下,水稻根尖通过增加边缘细胞数目、提高细胞拒铁作用,维持较高水平的POD、CAT和SOD活性来对抗Fe2+毒,缓解铁毒害。     

根系分隔方式对玉米/大豆根际土壤碳含量及磷有效性的影响

【目的】豆科与禾本科间作体系中对磷有效性的影响主要集中在根系分泌物的活化作用,由根际沉淀引起的土壤碳含量与磷酸酶活性变化及其对红壤磷有效性的影响机制尚不清楚。【方法】本研究以间作玉米大豆为研究对象,设置根系完全分隔、尼龙网分隔、不分隔3种方式,在0、21.83、43.67、65.50和87.34 P mg kg-1（分别记为P0、P1、P2、P3和P4）磷肥施用水平下进行盆栽试验,研究根系分隔方式对间作玉米大豆根际土壤微生物量碳（MBC）、溶解性有机碳（DOC）、根际土壤有机碳（ROC）、酸性磷酸酶活性（ACP）、碱性磷酸酶活性（ALP）、速效磷和Hedley磷组分的影响。【结果】相比完全分隔,根系不分隔可提高玉米和大豆根际土壤MBC含量,显著降低玉米根际土壤DOC含量,低磷水平（P0、P1）时显著提高大豆DOC含量,显著提高玉米（仅在低磷时）和大豆根际土壤ACP活性,低磷时显著提高大豆根际土壤ALP活性。除玉米活性磷组分外,根系分隔方式对间作玉米大豆根际土壤速效磷、磷组分有显著或极显著影响。根系不分隔较完全分隔可通过降低大豆根际活性无机磷（Pi）(P0除外)和中活性Pi从而提高玉米根...     

玉米和大豆根系对滇中地区坡耕地红黏土抗剪强度的影响

水土流失是限制山区坡耕地持续利用的主要问题。为探讨农作物根系固土机理,采用无侧限压缩试验测定了素土、玉米和大豆成熟期根土复合体的抗剪强度和应力应变特性,WinRHIZO(Pro.2019)根系分析系统测定了根系构型特征,分析了根土复合体力学特性与根系特征参数间的关系。结果表明：（1）玉米和大豆根系能显著增强土体抗剪强度（P<0.01）,其根土复合体强度相对素土分别提高了117.65%和71.91%;(2)两种农作物根土复合体黏聚力c与根长密度、根表面积密度、根体积密度、根重密度均呈极显著正相关（P<0.01）,其中D≤1mm细根对黏聚力增量Δc的贡献大于其他径级根系;（3）根系构型性状中,玉米根分支数高于大豆45.44%且各径级根系分布更均匀,其根土复合体随含根量的增加,在破坏时表现出弱应变硬化特征且裂缝拓展变缓,侧向变形减小。综上农作物根系均能增强土体抗剪强度,但根系结构类型不同则对土体力学特性的影响不同,细根和分支数较多的玉米根系更能有效增强土体强度和约束变形,因此须根系玉米对表层土体的固持能力优于直根系大豆。坡耕地利用中,可以通过合理布局须根系农作物来防治水土流失。     

The forms and distribution of aluminum adsorbed onto maize and soybean roots

Purpose

The Al forms on maize and soybean roots were investigated to determine the main factors affecting the distribution of Al forms and its relationship with Al plant toxicity.

Materials and methods

Solution culture experiments were conducted to obtain the fresh roots of maize and soybean. KNO₃, citric acid, and HCl were used to extract the exchangeable, complexed, and precipitated forms of Al on the roots.

Results and discussion

The complexed Al was higher than the exchangeable and precipitated Al. Root CECs of soybean and maize were 77 and 55 cmol kg^?1, and functional groups on the soybean roots (262.4 cmol kg^?1) were greater than on maize roots (210.8 cmol kg^?1), which resulted in more exchangeable and complexed Al on soybean roots than on maize roots, and was one of the reasons for the increased Al toxicity to soybean. The total and exchangeable Al were the highest on the plant root tips and decreased gradually with increasing distance from the tips. Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and NH₄ ⁺ cations reduced the exchangeable Al on the roots. Oxalate and malate also reduced the adsorption and absorption of Al by roots, and the effect of oxalate was greater than malate.

Conclusions

Higher exchangeable and complexed Al on plant roots led to increased Al plant toxicity. Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and NH₄ ⁺ and oxalate and malate can effectively alleviate Al plant toxicity.

     

Response of maize to mycorrhizal colonization at varying levels of zinc and phosphorus

A greenhouse experiment was conducted in a red sandy loam soil (Alfisol) to study the responses of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus intraradices Schenck & Smith inoculated (M+) and uninoculated (M−) maize (Zea mays L) plants exposed to various levels of P (15 and 30 mg kg⁻¹) and Zn (0, 1.25, and 2.5 mg kg⁻¹). Roots and shoots were sampled at 55 and 75 days after sowing and assessed for their nutritional status, root morphology, and root cation exchange capacity (CEC) besides grain quality. Mycorrhizal plants had longer and more extensive root systems than nonmycorrhizal plants, indicating that M+ plants are nutritionally rich, especially with P, which directly assisted in the proliferation of roots. Further, root CEC of M+ plants were consistently higher than those of M− plants, suggesting that mycorrhizal colonization assists in the acquisition of nutrients from soil solution. Mycorrhizal inoculated plants had significantly (P ≤ 0.01) higher P and Zn concentrations in roots, shoots, and grains, regardless of P or Zn levels. The available Zn and P status of AM fungus-inoculated soils were higher than unioculated soils. The data suggest that mycorrhizal symbiosis improves root morphology and CEC and nutritional status of maize plants by orchestrating the synergistic interaction between Zn and P besides enhancing soil available nutrient status that enables the host plant to sustain zinc-deficient conditions.     

大豆根系分泌物中氨基酸对根腐病菌生长的影响

采用砂培和室内模拟方法,研究了两个抗病性不同的大豆品种水溶性根系分泌物中氨基酸组分随作物生长的变化;同时检测了培养基中添加大豆根系分泌物和纯品氨基酸对大豆根腐病菌菌落生长的影响。结果表明,添加大豆苗期和花荚期根分泌物均显著促进尖镰孢菌菌丝生长,添加成熟期根分泌物显著促进腐皮镰孢菌菌丝生长。易感根腐病大豆品种合丰25号花荚期以后根分泌物中氨基酸种类多于抗根腐病大豆品种绥农10号。感病大豆品种根系分泌的氨基酸总量随生育时期增加,在鼓粒期达到最高;抗病大豆品种根系分泌的氨基酸总量在花荚期最高。感病大豆品种根系分泌的主要氨基酸为精氨酸,抗病大豆品种根系分泌的氨基酸主要为天冬氨酸。氨基酸纯品培养中,添加精氨酸和酪氨酸处理的尖镰孢菌菌落直径显著高于不加氨基酸的对照菌落直径;添加丝氨酸和天冬氨酸的处理菌落直径则显著低于对照处理。同时,添加天冬氨酸的培养基上腐皮镰孢菌菌落直径显著低于不加氨基酸的对照。可见,不同大豆品种根系分泌物中氨基酸组分对病原菌生长起着一定的作用,其表现的作用受根际氨基酸种类和氨基酸浓度影响较大,对于不同病原菌的作用存在差异。     

The maize root system in situ: Evaluation of structure and capability of utilization of phytate and inorganic soil phosphates

• 1 The dependence of the morphology of the maize (Zea mays L.) seminal root system on physical, chemical and biotic parameters was investigated with pot cultures in quartz sand and in a natural loamy sand soil. Low O₂-supply to the soil resulted in a substantially smaller root biomass despite a relative increase in total root length. Reduced N-supply also stimulated root length growth, but also enhanced the formation of laterals. The presence of soil microorganisms, in comparison to sterile cultures, resulted in a reduced length of the main roots, and the production of slender laterals with a decreased root hair density. Generally, the structural variability of laterals in response to different growth conditions was much more pronounced than that of the main roots.
• 2 A major part of the work reported here was dedicated to a detailed study of phosphate (P) acquisition by the maize root system under field conditions. Radioactive labelling of the roots and radioautography of soil cores revealed the in situ distribution pattern of the maize root system. Controlled labelling of the soil with radioactive phosphate allowed the documentation of the development and replenishment of the phosphate depletion zone around roots. Finally, the longevity and phosphate uptake activity of the different parts and tissues of the primary root system of maize was examined by electron microscopy and tracer studies including pulse chase experiments. From these studies the phosphate-acquiring strategy of the maize root system appears as follows: The capability of P uptake decreases in the order: root hairs, 1^st order laterals, 2^nd order laterals, main root. The life-spans of the components of the maize root system increase by the sequence: root hairs, laterals, main root. Inorganic P uptake, therefore, mainly occurs during the first weeks of root development. Dying back of the root occurs in an ordered manner resulting in a relocation of stored P predominantly into the main root cortex. Furthermore, it could be shown that competition for P between roots of the same or of adjacent maize and/or lupin plants virtually does not occur in situ.
• 3 The utilization of phytate-P was studied with ¹⁴C/³²P-labelled Camyo-inositol-hexaphosphate supplied to maize plants grown in sterile quartz sand or in hydroponic cultures. The ratio of P- and C-uptake as well as the incidence of phytate hydrolysis products in the rooting medium indicated the capability of maize roots to acquire P from phytate by enzymatic hydrolysis. This was confirmed by enzyme studies of the root tissues. A specific hydrolyzing enzyme (phytase; molecular weight 51 kD) could be detected in the cell wall of the root, especially in the root tip, which initiates phytate dephosphorylation. Further breakdown is presumably accomplished by monophosphoric phosphohydrolases.

     

Role of root cation‐exchange capacity in differential aluminum tolerance of lotus species

Three experiments were conducted in which roots of two species of Lotus were immersed for up to 40 min in complete nutrient solutions containing 6, 15 or 25 μM Al. The two species tested were L. pedunculatus cv. Grasslands Maku (Al‐tolerant) and L. corniculatus cv. Maitland (Al‐sensitive). There was an initial rapid (< 5 min) decrease in solution Al at 25 μM Al. The effect was less marked with solution Al ≤ 15 μM. The decrease in solution Al was greater in the Al‐sensitive Maitland than in the Al‐tolerant Grasslands Maku, particularly when expressed on the basis of root fresh mass and root length. Root cation‐exchange capacity (CEC) was lower in Grasslands Maku than in Maitland, viz. 23.9 vs 36.5 mmol kg^‐1 dry mass. Maitland roots removed more Al from solution than did those of Maku on the basis of total exchange capacity.

We propose a mechanism of Al tolerance on the basis of the results of this study and of other published information, viz. that differential Al tolerance results from differences in root CEC. Aluminum‐tolerant genotypes have roots with low CEC, and high Al activities (> 20 μM in the case of Grasslands Maku) are required to precipitate the relatively highly methylated pectins associated with low CEC. In contrast, relatively low activities of Al would precipitate the pectins in plants with roots of high CEC. This would decrease the protective capacity of the pectins, enabling the toxic, monomeric Al ions to come in contact with a number of Al‐sensitive compounds or processes in the cell wall, plasmalemma, or cell cytoplasm.     

硫对超积累东南景天镉累积、亚细胞分布和化学形态的影响

采用差速离心技术和化学试剂逐步提取法研究了硫对超积累东南景天镉累积、亚细胞分布和化学形态的影响。结果表明,增硫处理（S2和S3）显著提高超积累东南景天根、茎和叶的镉含量、累积量及整株累积总量。镉在超积累东南景天根、茎和叶中的含量和分配比例为F1（细胞壁）F3（可溶性部分）F2（细胞器与膜）,细胞壁（F1）是Cd在超积累东南景天细胞内的主要结合位点;超积累东南景天根、茎和叶F1、F2、F3组分中的镉含量随着硫水平的增加而增加,但分配比例变化不一致;超积累东南景天植物体内镉形态以氯化钠提取态（FNacl）、醋酸提取态（FHAc）和水提取态（FW）占优势。增施硫处理,提高超积累东南景天根FNacl、FHAc和FW提取态镉含量和分配比例,降低FE和FHCl提取态镉含量和分配比例;茎FNacl和FHAc提取态镉含量和分配比例增加,FW、FE和FHCl提取态镉分配比例降低;叶FNacl、FHAc和FW提取态镉的含量增加,但对其分配比例影响不大。     

隔根与接种 FM 对红壤上玉米/大豆植株生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】探讨接种摩西管柄囊霉 (Funneliformis mosseae,FM) 和不同隔根处理对红壤上间作植株生长、植株氮吸收量和土壤氮的影响。【方法】采用盆栽模拟试验,设不同菌根处理[不接种 (NM)、接种 (FM)]与玉米/大豆不同隔根处理 (根系不分隔、部分分隔、完全分隔)。【结果】接种 FM 的玉米、大豆根系均有一定的侵染,菌根侵染率在部分分隔处理下最低。间作根系的分隔处理对玉米和大豆的菌根依赖性产生了明显影响,大豆的菌根依赖性随间作交互作用强度的加大而增加。无论何种隔根处理,接种 FM 均显著增加了玉米植株生物量,其地上部生物量高出 NM 处理 11.7%～81.4%,根系生物量高出 NM 处理 18.8%～166.7%。根系分隔处理下,接种 FM 均显著降低了大豆生物量。同一隔根方式下,接种 FM 明显提高了玉米的植株氮吸收量和根系氮吸收效率。在不分隔处理下,接种 FM 显著增加了大豆的地上部氮吸收量,但在部分分隔和完全分隔处理下则反而有所下降;在部分分隔处理下,接种 FM 显著降低了大豆根系的氮吸收量,在不分隔和完全分隔处理下亦呈下降趋势。在部分分隔处理下,接种 FM 显著提高了大豆根系氮吸收效率,在完全分隔处理下反而有明显下降,且在 NM–不分隔处理下的大豆根系氮吸收效率最低。相关分析显示,玉米、大豆植株氮吸收量与土壤碱解氮含量呈显著负相关。【结论】接种丛枝菌根真菌 (AMF) 和隔根方式的组合能不同程度地影响玉米和大豆对氮的吸收利用及间作植株的生长,并能对土壤有效氮产生较大影响。所有的复合处理中,AMF和间作根系部分分隔处理组合对玉米和大豆生长及氮素利用的促进作用较好,并能有效降低土壤碱解氮的残留。     

Iron Nutrition of Peanut Enhanced by Mixed Cropping with Maize: Possible Role of Root Morphology and Rhizosphere Microflora

Abstract

Field observations have indicated that Fe deficiency chlorosis symptoms in peanut are more severe and widespread in monoculture than intercropped with maize in calcareous soils of northern China. Here we report a pot experiment that investigated the mechanisms underlying the marked improvement in Fe nutrition of peanut grown in mixture with maize. Iron deficiency chlorosis occurred in the young leaves of peanut in monoculture and was particularly obvious at the flowering stage, while the young leaves of peanut grown in mixture with maize remained green throughout the experiment. The chlorophyll and HCl‐extractable Fe concentrations in young leaves of peanut grown in mixture were much higher than those in monoculture, indicating that maize may have markedly improved the peanut Fe nutrition. Growth in mixture was associated with greatly altered root morphology and microbial populations in the rhizosphere of peanut. Visual observation of peanut roots in monoculture showed that they were larger in diameter and shorter than those in mixture. Moreover, peanut roots in mixture with maize produced more lateral roots and had increased root length compared with plants in monoculture. Peanut grown together with maize showed obvious rhizodermal transfer cells in the subapical root zone, but cells with cell wall ingrowths were poorly developed in peanut in monoculture. Mixed culture resulted in a significantly decreased abundance of bacteria in the rhizosphere of peanut compared with monoculture, and electron microscope observations indicated that this was associated with a thicker mucigel layer on the root surface of peanut in mixture with maize. Several root morphological and rhizosphere microbial factors may thus have contributed to the improvement in Fe nutrition of peanut in mixed culture.     

Root cell walls and phytochelatins in low-cadmium cultivar of Brassica parachinensis

‘Lvbao-701’ is a cultivar of Chinese flowering cabbage(Brassica parachinensis) that exhibits low cadmium(Cd) accumulation and high Cd tolerance.In this study, this cultivar was compared with a high-Cd accumulating cultivar, ‘Chixin-4’, to characterize the mechanisms influencing Cd accumulation in B. parachinensis. Root cell walls were isolated by dissolving the cytoplasm with an organic solvent, and root Cd and phytochelatin(PC) contents were analyzed. In addition, a PC synthase gene fragment was cloned and expressed under Cd stress conditions. The proportions of Cd bound to root cell walls were higher in the ‘Lvbao-701’ plants(68.32%–76.80%) than in the ‘Chixin-4’ plants(35.36%–54.18%) after exposure to Cd stress. The proportions of Cd bound to root cell walls measured using cell walls isolated with a non-destructive method were higher than those obtained using a conventional method that required grinding and centrifugation. Exposure to Cd stress induced the PC production and resulted in higher PC contents in the ‘Lvbao-701’ plants than in the ‘Chixin-4’ plants. Cloning and expression analysis of a B. parachinensis PC synthase cDNA fragment indicated that PC synthase gene expression was induced by Cd and occurred mainly in the roots of both ‘Lvbao-701’ and ‘Chixin-4’ plants. However, the PC synthase gene expression level was higher in the‘Lvbao-701’ roots than in the ‘Chixin-4’ roots. Therefore, a higher abundance of Cd in the root cell walls of ‘Lvbao-701’ and up-regulated PC production in the roots are probably the main reasons why ‘Lvbao-701’ exhibits lower Cd translocation to the shoots and higher tolerance to Cd than ‘Chixin-4’.     

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

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