Genotypic Difference in Arsenic and Cadmium Accumulation by Rice Seedlings Grown in Hydroponics

Genotypic differences in arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) uptake and their translocation within rice seedlings grown in solution culture were investigated. Arsenic uptake and its translocation differed significantly between eight cultivars. The largest shoot and root As concentrations were found in cultivar ‘TN1’ and ‘ZYQ8’, while cultivar ‘JX-17’ had the lowest As concentration. Arsenic concentration in shoot or root of ‘JX-17’ was about 50% of that in cultivar ‘ZYQ8’. Specific Arsenic uptake (SAU) was found significantly different between rice cultivars, which was about 2-fold higher of ‘ZYQ8’ than that of ‘JX-17’. The Cd accumulation also differed significantly between cultivars. Rice cultivar ‘JX-17’ had the highest ability in Cd uptake, but the lowest ability in Cd translocation from root to shoot. The transfer factor (TF) of Cd had an important effect on Cd accumulation by rice seedlings. Arsenic can competitively inhibit P uptake by rice seedlings, P concentrations in shoots, or roots treated with As were significantly lower than those without As addition. However, the concentrations of P and As were positively correlated within these genotypes. The Cd immobilization by cell wall was an important mechanism for Cd detoxification. The cell wall bound 21–44% of total Cd in shoots and 25–59% of total Cd in roots of these tested genotypes. The genotypic differences in As and Cd uptake and translocation within rice seedlings provide the possibility of selecting and breeding genotypes and /or cultivars with reduced levels of As and Cd in rice grains.     

Dynamics of Iron Oxides in Two Benchmark Inland Valley Soils and Rice Grain Yields in Nigeria

An investigation was conducted on two contrasting inland valley soils (Fluvauents and Tropaquents) over two cropping seasons (1993, 1994, and 1995) in two benchmark wetlands in Nigeria, and the contents and dynamics of iron (Fe) forms (active and organic) were examined when two different rice (Oryza sativa L) cultivars (‘ITA 212’ and ‘Suakoko 8’) were planted. Results showed that active Fe ranged between 0.96 and 3.16% on Fluvaquents and between 1.57 and 4.73% on Tropaquents; organic Fe, on the other hand, ranged between 0.05 and 2.84% (Fluvaquent) and between 0.60 and 2.38% (Tropaquents). Dynamics of the two Fe forms did not follow any clear pattern in the two cropping seasons on both soil types. On Fluvaquents, grain yields (GY) ranged between 2.40 and 3.46 t/ha (‘ITA 212’) and between 2.35 and 3.15t/ha (‘Suakoko 8’). Similarly, on Tropaquents, the GY ranged between 0.68 and 2.13 t/ha (‘ITA 212’) and between 0.61 and 2.11 t/ha (‘Suakoko 8’). Generally, the GY on Fluvaquents was higher than on Tropaquents and declined in the second cropping seasons. Results further showed that active Fe is significantly negatively correlated with GYs of rice. Critical active Fe and organic Fe contents for lowland rice on these soils were 2.90 and 1.80%, respectively.     

Effects of endophytic Bacillus spp. on accumulation and distribution of iron in the shoots of lowland rice grown under iron toxic conditions

Background

The tolerance of plants against abiotic stresses can be greatly influenced by their interaction with microbes. In lowland rice (Oryza sativa) production, the iron toxicity of the soils constitutes a major constraint. Although there are tolerant cultivars, the mechanisms underlying the tolerance against excess iron are not fully understood. Even less is known about the role of microbes in the response to iron toxicity.

Aim

In the study presented here, the effects of different Bacillus isolates on the accumulation and distribution of iron within the shoots of different rice cultivars grown under iron toxicity were analyzed.

Methods

Three lowland rice cultivars with contrasting tolerance to iron toxicity (IR31785-58-1-2-3-3, Sahel 108, Suakoko 8) were inoculated with three Bacillus isolates (two B. pumilus and one B. megaterium) and, after 1 week, exposed to excess iron (1,000 ppm) for 8 days. Tolerance was evaluated by leaf symptom scoring.

Results

Bacterial inoculation mitigated leaf symptoms in the sensitive cultivar IR31785-58-1-2-3-3 despite no significant differences in shoot iron concentration between inoculated and noninoculated plants. In the tolerant excluder cultivar, Suakoko 8, leaf symptoms were exacerbated when inoculated with B. pumilus Ni9MO12. While the total shoot Fe concentration was not affected in this bacteria × cultivar combination, the distribution of iron within the shoot was clearly disturbed. Tolerance to iron toxicity of the tolerant includer cultivar, Sahel 108, was not affected by Bacillus inoculation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our results show that Bacillus inoculation can affect the tolerance of lowland rice to iron toxicity and that the effects strongly depend on the bacteria × cultivar combination.     

硅缓解水稻根系铁毒害

Silicon (Si) can enhance the resistance of plants to many abiotic stresses. To explore whether Si ameliorates Fe2+ toxicity, a hydroponic experiment was performed to investigate whether and how Si detoxifies Fe2+ toxicity in rice (Oryza sativa L.) roots. Results indicated that rice cultivar Tianyou 998 (TY998) showed greater sensitivity to Fe2+ toxicity than rice cultivar Peizataifeng (PZTF). Treatment with 0.1 mmol L-1 Fe2+ inhibited TY998 root elongation and root biomass significantly. Reddish iron plaque was formed on root surface of both cultivars. TY998 had a higher amount of iron plaque than PZTF. Addition of Si to the solution of Fe treatment decreased the amount of iron plaque on root surface by 17.6% to 37.1% and iron uptake in rice roots by 37.0% to 40.3%, and subsequently restored root elongation triggered by Fe2+ toxicity by 13.5% in the TY998. Compared with Fe treatment, the addition of 1 mmol L-1 Si to the solution of Fe treatment increased xylem sap flow by 19.3% to 24.8% and root-shoot Fe transportation by 45.0% to 78.6%. Furthermore, Si addition to the solution of Fe treatment induced root cell wall to thicken. These results suggested that Si could detoxify Fe2+ toxicity and Si-mediated amelioration of Fe2+ toxicity in rice roots was associated with less iron plaque on root surface and more Fe transportation from roots to shoots.     

Genotypic Differences in Spectral and Photosynthetic Response of Peanut to Iron Deficiency

To assess the genetic variability of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in tolerance to iron (Fe) deficiency, spectral and photosynthetic parameters of 12 peanut cultivars were determined. The results showed that peanut exhibit significant variations in spectral and photosynthetic parameters within cultivars in response to Fe deficiency. The 12 peanut cultivars were separated into three groups, which include (i) a Fe-deficient tolerant cultivar (‘Zhenghong 3’), (ii) a Fe-deficient sensitive cultivar (‘Huayu 22’), and (iii) ten intermediate cultivars. Iron deficiency caused an increase in root biomass, root/shoot ratio, structure independent pigment index and intercellular carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration, but resulted in a decrease in net photosynthetic rate (Pn), quantum yield of PS II photochemistry (F_v/F_m), effective quantum yield of PS II (ΦPS II), photochemical reflectance index, red edge point, and chlorophyll normalized difference index. Iron deficiency-induced decline in net photosynthetic rate may be resulted from the reduction of photosynthetic pigment contents and inhibition of PSII photochemistry.     

CELL WALL URONIC ACID CONCENTRATIONS OF RESISTANT AND SENSITIVE CULTIVARS OF WHEAT AND BARLEY UNDER BORON TOXICITY

In this study, changes in cell wall uronic acid concentrations of boron (B)-tolerant and B-sensitive cultivars of wheat and barley were analyzed in control (plants that were grown on water and received no B) and B-treated plants. Ten-day-old seedlings of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ‘Atay’ (B-sensitive) and ‘Bolal’ (B-tolerant)) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L. ‘Hamidiye’ (B-sensitive) and ‘Anadolu’ (B-tolerant)) were grown in H₃BO₃ solution (10 mM final concentration) or water for 3, 5, or 7 days. For determination of changes in cell wall uronic acid concentrations of wheat and barley cultivars, cell walls were extracted from root and leaf tissues of control and B-treated plants. Cell wall uronic acid concentrations of root and leaf tissues of each cultivar were statistically analyzed. Various reciprocal analyses were performed. These analyses were high-B-tolerant versus B-sensitive cultivars and control versus B-treated plants. In all reciprocal analyses, no significant changes were observed. These data, thus, suggest that cell wall uronic acid content does not contribute to detoxification of excess B in wheat and barley.     

不同芹菜品种镉吸收和运转差异研究

【目的】 研究镉胁迫下芹菜生长、镉吸收和向上运转品种间差异,为筛选镉低积累型芹菜品种减少镉对人体的危害提供依据。 【方法】 以10个芹菜品种为试材进行基质无土栽培试验,基质为蛭石,营养液采用1/2华南农业大学叶菜类营养液配方,以只浇灌营养液的处理作为对照,浇灌含15 mg/L氯化镉（CdCl₂）的营养液为Cd胁迫处理;每3 d浇灌一次,每次浇灌0.2 L,累计浇灌15次,每盆Cd施用量为45 mg。移栽45 d后,测定生长指标与根、叶柄和叶片Cd含量。计算相对生长量（relative growth yield,RGY）和转运系数（translocation factor,TF）,并筛选出高、低Cd积累品种。分别对高、低Cd积累品种进行穴盘基育苗,14 d后采用华南农业大学叶菜类营养液配方进行营养液栽培,21 d后利用非损伤微测技术（non-invasive micro-test technology,NMT）测定根系分生区、伸长区和根毛区Cd2+离子流速。 【结果】 与非Cd胁迫相比,Cd胁迫使‘速生四季西芹王’、文图拉西芹’、‘四季小香芹’、‘实心香芹’、 ‘雪白芹菜’ 地下部受到显著抑制,对地上部无显著影响;Cd胁迫促进了 ‘四季小香芹’ 地上部生长;而 ‘种都金黄芹菜’、‘红芹’、‘鲍芹’ 地上部受到显著抑制,对地下部则无显著影响;‘马家沟芹菜’ 和 ‘速生香芹’ 地上部和地下部均生长均受到抑制。食用器官叶柄中Cd含量以 ‘种都金黄芹菜’ 和 ‘雪白芹菜’ 最高;‘速生香芹’ 和 ‘实心香芹’ 最低。地上部Cd含量高的 ‘种都金黄芹菜’ 和 ‘雪白芹菜’ 对Cd转运能力也最高;Cd含量低的 ‘速生香芹’ 对Cd转运能力也最低。在根系成熟区（根毛区）,‘种都金黄芹菜’ 较 ‘速生香芹’ 有更高Cd2+ 离子流速。 【结论】 Cd胁迫下,芹菜不同品种生长、Cd吸收、转运和积累存在显著差异。‘四季小香芹’、‘速生四季西芹王’、‘文图拉芹菜’、‘实心香芹’ 和 ‘雪白芹菜’ 较为耐镉;而 ‘种都金黄芹菜’、‘红芹’、‘鲍芹’、‘马家沟芹菜’ 和 ‘速生香芹’ 对镉敏感。‘雪白芹菜’ 和 ‘种都金黄芹菜’ 为高Cd积累型,‘实心香芹’ 和 ‘速生香芹’ 为低Cd积累型,其中 ‘实心香芹’ 表现为低Cd含量和高生长量。高Cd积累型芹菜较低Cd积累型芹菜有更强Cd2+ 吸收能力和Cd转运能力,根部Cd2+ 流速可用于低积累品种的快速筛选。      

Diagnosis and Amelioration of Iron Deficiency under Aerobic Rice

ABSTRACT

Iron (Fe) deficiency is one of the serious nutritional disorders in aerobically grown rice on upland alkaline and calcareous soils, which leads to a decline in productivity. With a view to resolve the Fe-deficiency syndrome in aerobic rice, the influence of soil moisture regimes, farmyard manure (FYM) and applied Fe on the release of Fe was assessed under an incubation study. A field experiment was also conducted to evaluate the relative effectiveness of soil and foliar applications of Fe in alleviating Fe deficiency using four rice cultivars (‘IR 36’, ‘IR 64’, ‘IR 71525-19-1-1’ and ‘CT 6510-24-1-2’). Results of incubation study indicated that the application of FYM marginally improved the diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)-Fe status of soil over control. However, application of iron sulfate (FeSO₄ · 7H₂O) at 14 mg Fe/kg with FYM released as much Fe as did the application of 27 mg Fe/kg as FeSO₄ 7H₂O alone. Comparatively higher amounts of Fe were released under water saturation than that under drier soil moisture regimes and the effect of incubation period in releasing Fe was pronounced only under water saturation.

Under field study, supplementation of Fe through integrated or inorganic source caused improvement in the DTPA and ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) extractable Fe similar to that recorded under incubation. The foliar application of Fe (3% FeSO₄ 7H₂O solution, thrice at 40, 60, and 75 days after sowing of rice, i.e., 45 kg FeSO₄.7H₂O/ha) was most effective and economical in correcting Fe deficiency in aerobic rice, followed by soil application of 150 kg FeSO₄.7H₂O + 10 t FYM/ ha and 305 kg FeSO₄.7H₂O/ha. Among the rice cultivars, ‘CT 6510-24-1-2’ and ‘IR 71525-19-1-1’ performed better under aerobic condition compared to ‘IR 36’ and ‘IR 64’. Differential response of rice cultivars to applied Fe was not related to Fe-nutrition; rather it was apparently related with inherent ability of cultivars to grow under water-stress condition. Ferrous iron (Fe^II) content in rice plants proved to be a better index of Fe-nutrition status compared to total plant Fe and chemically extractable soil Fe. The Fe^II concentration of ≥ 37 mg kg^?1 in plants (on dry weight basis) appeared to be an adequate level at 60 days after sowing for direct seeded rice grown under upland aerobic condition.     

水稻根表铁氧化物胶膜对水稻吸收磷的影响

本文采用营养液培养方法研究了根表铁氧化物胶膜对水稻吸收磷的影响。结果表明，水稻报表的铁氧化物胶膜随营养液中Fe2+浓度的增加而增加。铁氧化物胶膜可富集生长介质中的磷，根表铁膜数量越多，富集的磷量也越多。根表铁股可促进水稻对磷的吸收，但这种促进作用的大小依赖于根表铁膜数量。根表铁膜数量为24570mp／kg时，促进作用达到最大，此后随着铁膜数量的增加，水稻吸收磷的数量下降，但仍高于根表没有铁膜的水稻。因此，水稻根表形成的铁氧化物胶膜在一定程度上是一个磷富集库，对水稻吸收磷起促进作用。在此过程中，缺铁条件下水稻根分泌物中的植物铁载体对淀积铁氧化物胶膜的水稻根系吸收磷没有明显的作用。     

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Contribute to Resistance of Upland Rice to Combined Metal Contamination of Soil

A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to investigate heavy metal [copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd)] uptake by two upland rice cultivars, ‘91B3’ and ‘277’, grown in a sterilized field soil contaminated by a mixture of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd. Rice plants were inoculated with each of three arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), Glomus versiforme (GV), Glomus mosseae (GM), and Glomus diaphanum (GD), or remained noninoculated (NM). Both rice cultivars could be colonized by the three AMF used in this experiment. The percentage of mycorrhizal colonization by the three AMFs on the two rice cultivars ranged from 30% to 70%. Mycorrhizal colonization of both upland rice cultivars had a large influence on plant growth by increasing the shoot and root biomass compared with non-inoculated (NM) plants. The results indicate that mycorrhiza exert some protective effects against the combined toxicity of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd in the contaminated soil. This conclusion is supported by the partitioning of heavy metals (HMs) in the two cultivars. In the two cultivars, colonization by AMF reduced the translocation of HMs from root to shoot (except that the colonization of AMF increased the Cu translocation of HMs in cultivar ‘277’). Immobilization of the HMs in roots can alleviate the potential toxicity to shoots induced by the mixture of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd. The two rice cultivars showed significant differences in uptake of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd when uninoculated. GM inoculation gave the most protective effects on the two cultivars under the combined soil contamination.     

Differences between wheat cultivars in acquisition and utilization of phosphorus

In an attempt to evaluate whether breeding and selection for high yielding capacity changed the P requirement of modem wheat cultivars. the response of two wheat cultivars to different levels of P supply was investigated. A traditional cultivar (‘Peragis’) and a modern spring-wheat cultivar (‘Cosir’) were cultivated in a C-loess low in available P and high in CaCO₃ in 120 cm high PVC tubes. In addition and for comparison, nutrient solution experiments were also conducted. Shoot growth, root growth. P uptake. P translocation and P distribution within the shoot at different developmental stages were compared. The grain yield of the modern cultivar ‘Cosir’ was higher at limiting and non-limiting P supply and. therefore, this cultivar can be considered as more P-efficient than the traditional cultivar. Grain yield reduction at low P supply was mainly due to an inhibition of tillering and thus lower number of ears per plant, whereas the number of grains per ear was hardly affected. Reduced tillering at low P supply could not be related to P concentrations in the shoot meristematic tissues which were generally much higher than in other plant tissues and kept at an elevated level even at limiting P supply. Root branching (1^st order laterals) was reduced at limiting P supply in ‘Cosir’ but not in ‘Peragis’ which, generally, had lower numbers of laterals at the beginning of tillering. From the results it can be concluded that the main factors contributing to the higher P efficiency of the modern cultivar ‘Cosir’ are (i) efficient use of assimilates for root-growth characteristics which enhance P acquisition: enhanced root branching and thus smaller mean root diameter and longer root hairs, (ii) an efficient P uptake system, (iii) efficient remobilization of P from vegetative plant organs to the grains, and most importantly (iv) lower P requirement for grain yield formation because of lower ear number per plant but higher grain number per ear.     

LOWLAND RICE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT AND NUTRIENT UPTAKE DURING GROWTH CYCLE

Rice is a staple food for more than 50% of the world's population and the majority of the global rice is produced from a lowland ecosystem. A greenhouse experiment was conducted with the objective to study lowland rice (cv. ‘BRSGO Guara’) growth, development, and nutrient uptake patterns during growth cycle. Growth observations and plant analysis were performed at initiation of tillering (IT), active tillering (AT), panicle initiation (PI), booting (B), flowering (F) and physiological maturity (PM). Plant height, number of leaves per culm, number of tillers per plant and maximum root length and root dry weight increased in a quadratic fashion with increasing plant age. Similarly, shoot dry weight increased linearly during growth cycle of the cultivar ‘BRSGO Guara’. Concentration and accumulation of most of the macronutrients and micronutrients responded with a quadratic trend with the advancement of plant age. Plant growth parameters were significantly associated with shoot dry weight plus grain yield. Similarly, nutrient accumulation had a significant correlation with shoot dry weight plus grain yield, which indicated the importance of these nutrients in the lowland rice production.     

磷饥饿诱导水稻根表铁膜形成机理初探

采用溶液培养的方法,初步探索了磷饥饿诱导水稻根表铁膜形成的机理。磷饥饿24h后水稻的根表出现了明显的红棕色物质的沉积,扫描电镜的能谱分析结果显示,红棕色物质是铁的氧化物。针对这一现象,首先研究了没有水稻生长的正常磷营养液和缺磷营养液的变化,结果表明二者之间全波长的扫描图谱没有出现差异。采用酸碱混合指示剂的琼脂染色方法,观察了水稻根系表面及根际pH值的变化情况,并分别测定了正常磷营养（P）和缺磷（P0）2种条件下水稻的根系活力。结果看出,缺磷时水稻根系活力高于磷营养正常的处理,尤其是基因型Jin23A,其P和P0处理间根系活力差异极显著。水稻根表三价铁的浓度高于二价铁,并且缺磷根系表面三价铁和二价铁浓度均明显高于供磷处理;缺磷处理水稻根质外体沉积的铁浓度也明显高于供磷处理。因此,初步确定磷饥饿诱导水稻根表铁膜形成是生物学基础上的化学反应过程。     

DIFFERENTIAL RESPONSE OF TWO OLIVE CULTIVARS TO EXCESS MANGANESE

The response of three-month-old rooted cuttings of the olive cultivars ‘Picual’ and ‘Koroneiki’ grown in black plastic bags containing perlite as a substrate to excess manganese (Mn) (640 μM) was studied. The rooted cuttings were irrigated with 50% modified Hoagland nutrient solution. At the end of the experimental period, which lasted 130 days, the total fresh and dry weights, as well as the shoot elongation of ‘Picual’ plants were significantly reduced under excess Mn (640 μM), compared to the control plants (2 μM), whereas the growth of ‘Koroneiki’ plants was similar in both Mn treatments. The tolerance index, which is derived from the ratios between the plant growth data of different treatments and the control one, of ‘Picual’ plants to excess Mn was about half of this of ‘Koroneiki’ plants. In both cultivars, the concentrations of Mn in various plant parts (root, basal stem, top stem, basal leaves, top leaves) were significantly increased as Mn concentration in the nutrient solution increased. Furthermore, in the 640 μM Mn treatment, 2 to 2.5-fold greater Mn concentrations were recorded in almost all plant parts of ‘Koroneiki’, than those of ‘Picual’. Similar results were recorded with regard to the total Mn content per plant (‘Koroneiki’ absorbed much more Mn from the nutrient solution than ‘Picual’). On the other hand, excess Mn negatively affected the absorption of iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), zinc (Zn), and boron (B), depending on the olive cultivar. In both cultivars, while the Mn use efficiency was significantly decreased under excess Mn conditions, the nutrient use efficiencies of P, Ca, and Fe were significantly increased, compared to the control plants (2 μM Mn). It was also found that excess Mn resulted in a significant increase of stomatal conductance and transpiration rate of both cultivars, whereas the photosynthetic rate was significantly increased only in ‘Koroneiki’. In ‘Picual’, similar photosynthetic rates were recorded in both Mn treatments. The measurement of the various chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, F_v/F_m and F_v/F₀ ratios, revealed that the functional integrity of photosystem II (PSII) of photosynthesis was not affected due to excess Mn, irrespectively of the cultivar. In conclusion, although ‘Koroneiki’ tissues had much higher Mn concentrations than those of ‘Picual’, the parameters related to the growth and photosynthetic performance of plants indicates that the internal tolerance of ‘Koroneiki’ tissues to excess Mn was higher than this of ‘Picual’.     

Effect of Two Nitrogen Forms on the Growth and Iron Nutrition of Pea Cultivated in Presence of Bicarbonate

ABSTRACT

Two cultivars of pea: ‘PS210713’ (‘PS’), sensitive to iron deficiency, and ‘Marveille de Kelvedon’ (‘MK’), tolerant, were cultivated in controlled climatic conditions during one month, on a nutrient solution containing either nitrate (NO₃ ^?, 4 mM) or ammonium (NH₄ ⁺, 4 mM) and in the presence of bicarbonate (10 mM). The effects of these nitrogen forms on the growth and the mineral nutrition, and especially iron nutrition are analyzed.

The reduction of growth by bicarbonate was approximately 30% in case of NO₃ ^? nutrition in the two cultivars, whereas in ammoniacal treatment the reduction is only 6% and 18% respectively in ‘PS’ and ‘MK’ cultivars.

In presence of bicarbonate, the plant growth is not stimulated by NO₃ ^?relatively to its growth on ammoniacal medium, as often noticed when plants are cultivated on medium without bicarbonate: In presence of this compound, the biomass production of plant pea, was not influenced by the nitrogen forms. The nitric source led to a ferric chlorosis in the sensitive cultivar plants whereas any chlorosis was noted when ammoniacal source was applied. On the other hand, nitric nitrogen form decreased the nitrogen feeding of plants and increased the potassium one, while the effect of the ammoniacal nitrogen form on these nutrients was quite the inverse. In addition, the later increased the allocation of iron towards shoots. Besides, with this nitrogen source there was not accumulation of nitrate in the plant tissues. In nitric feeding case, the nitrate is mainly accumulated in the roots of the two cultivars. It is noticeable that the sensitive cultivar (‘PS’) accumulates three times more nitrate than the tolerant one (‘MK’).

On the level of the whole plant, the iron and phosphorus nutrition seems unaltered by the nitrogen form.     

Variation in seed longevity of rice cultivars belonging to different isozyme groups

The storage potential of seeds harvested at different stages of maturity was studied in ten cultivars of Oryza sativa, representing six known isozyme groups, and in two cultivars of O. glaberrima. Mass maturity (the end of the seed-filling period) was attained between 14.2 and 20.2 days after anthesis (DAA). A comparison of the estimates of p ₅₀ (time in storage for viability to decline to 50%) of seeds harvested at 21, 28 and 35 DAA and stored at 35°C with 15% moisture content showed that maximum longevity was attained between 28 and 35 DAA in most cultivars. Cultivars belonging to isozyme group II survived longer than other cultivars with estimates of p ₅₀ nearly doubled. On the other hand, the floating rices of Group IV had shorter longevity. Within group VI, the upland cultivar survived longer than the lowland cultivar. Both O. glaberrima cultivars survived reasonably well, showing that African rice cultivars also differ in longevity.     

不同氮效率水稻品种增硝营养下根系生长的响应特征

试验采用两室分根盒和溶液培养方法,研究了在增硝营养下不同氮效率水稻品种根系生长的响应特征。结果表明,在本试验条件下,与全铵培养下的根系相比,氮高效水稻品种南光在铵硝混合培养下的根系干重和氮积累量显著增加,增幅达33%和41%;同时其根系表面积、根系体积和侧根数增幅均达到显著水平,但根系长度却无明显增加。氮低效水稻品种Elio在铵硝混合培养下的根系生长差异均不显著。这表明氮高效水稻品种南光的根系生长对增硝营养的响应度强,进而促进了根系对氮素的吸收利用。从本试验的结果可推论,水稻对增硝营养的强响应度可能是水稻氮素高效吸收利用的生理机制之一。     

Influence of root restriction on two cultivars of summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.)

Variable root restricting conditions were imposed on summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) cultivars ‘Senator’ and Dixie’ using container sizes of 0.35, 2.00, and 7.60 liters. Nondestructive and destructive plant sampling were conducted to evaluate leaf area production, dry weight accumulation and partitioning, crop growth rate and net assimilation rate, and flower and fruit development. Within 10 days after transplanting (DAT), ‘Senator’ exhibited declining leaf area production under increased root restriction, and within 17 DAT leaf area was diminished for both cultivars under increased root restricting conditions. Dry weight accumulation in leaves, stems, roots, and fruit was reduced for both cultivars over time and level of root restriction severity. There was a tendency for greater vegetative growth reductions with ‘Senator’ than with ‘Dixie’ at comparable levels of root restriction. Root‐to‐shoot ratio, timing and duration of flowering, and sex of flowers were not significantly impacted by root restriction level or cultivar. Fruit dry weight was greatest for Dixie’ early on, but by 28 DAT, total fruit dry weight produced did not differ for the cultivars except under the most severe root restricting conditions. Fruit dry weight production was limited for both cultivars as container volume became smaller.     

华南地区不同品系水稻积累砷特征及其影响因素

选用华南地区较为常见的杂交稻、优质常规稻2个水稻品系,16个水稻品种,通过土壤盆栽试验,待其成熟收获后,分析水稻根表、根部、秸秆、糙米中砷含量及相关影响元素的含量,旨在研究不同水稻品系（种）对砷吸收、转运和积累规律以及其影响因素,为低积累、高耐性水稻品系（品种）的选择及相应的农业措施提供科学的理论依据。结果表明,砷在水稻中的分布情况为根表〉根部〉秸秆〉糙米;供试的糙米中砷含量为0.18~0.47mg.kg-1,均符合国家卫生标准（GB4810—1994）。水稻根表铁锰膜中砷含量随根表中铁、锰的增加而富集,相关分析表明,根表铁锰膜形成可以有效降低糙米砷积累,而秸秆磷可以有效降低秸秆中砷的积累。杂交稻各部位的砷含量及转移系数均高于常规稻,且秸秆和糙米砷含量差异达到显著水平;天优122的糙米砷积累能力高于其他品种,美香占2号低于其他品种。     

Improving soil organic carbon pools through inclusion of summer mungbean in cereal-cereal cropping systems in Indo-Gangetic plain

Long-term effect of mungbean inclusion in lowland rice-wheat and upland maize-wheat systems on soil carbon (C) pools, particulate organic C (POC), and C-stabilization was envisaged in organic, inorganic and without nutrient management practices. In both lowland and upland systems, mungbean inclusion increased very-labile C (Cfrac₁) and labile C (Cfrac₂) in surface soil (0–0.2 m). Mungbean inclusion in cereal-cereal cropping systems improved POC, being higher in lowland (107.4%). Lowland rice-based system had higher passive C-pool (11.1 Mg C ha^?1) over upland maize-based system (6.6 Mg C ha^?1) indicating that rice ecology facilitates the stabilization of passive C-pool, which has longer persistence in soil. Organic nutrient management (farmyard manure + full crop residue + biofertilizers) increased Cfrac₁ and carbon management index (CMI) over inorganic treatment. In surface soil, higher CMI values were evident in mungbean included cropping systems in both lowland and upland conditions. Mungbean inclusion increased grain yield of cereal crops, and yield improvement followed the order of maize (23.7–31.3%) > rice (16.9–27.0%) > wheat (lowland 7.0–10.7%; upland 5.4–16.6%). Thus, the inclusion of summer mungbean in cereal-cereal cropping systems could be a long-term strategy to enrich soil organic C and to ensure sustainability of cereal-cereal cropping systems.