镉胁迫下小麦根系的生理生态变化

本文通过水培和砂培两种方法 ,研究了镉胁迫下小麦 (TriticumaestivmL .)根系的生理生态变化。通过研究镉对小麦根系生长发育状况 ,根系活力 ,根系对矿质元素的吸收 ,探讨镉胁迫下植物根系的生理生态效应。研究结果表明 :镉影响根系的长度、生物量、体积和根系活力。Cd2 + 在低浓度 (处理浓度低于 5mg/L)作用下 ,随处理浓度的升高 ,刺激小麦根系的长度、生物量、体积相应地升高 ;当处理浓度高于相应浓度时 ,根长度、生物量、体积相应随浓度升高而降低。镉胁迫下根系活力受到抑制。水培和砂培中 ,镉对根系的影响趋势一致 ,但是影响幅度有差异。砂培好于水培。镉影响小麦根对矿质元素的吸收 ,Ca、Cu、Fe、K、Mg、Mn、Na、Zn吸收情况不太一致。Ca、Cu、Fe、Mg、Mn、Na的吸收量随Cd2 + 浓度升高而增加 ,K、Zn的吸收量随Cd2 + 浓度升高而减少     

不同基因型小白菜硝酸盐积累差异及筛选研究

采用溶液培养方法研究了43种基因型小白菜在不同硝铵比条件下体内硝酸盐含量的变化情况。结果表明,不同基因型小白菜的硝酸盐含量差异较大,东妃青梗菜、上海白叶四月蔓和夏优高抗为低硝酸盐含量基因型小白菜,而高雄甜脆小白菜、宝大矮棋青和苏州青为高硝酸盐含量基因型小白菜。硝铵比50/50是最适宜筛选的氮素形态比例,而叶片中的硝酸盐含量也是最适宜的筛选指标。对上述6个基因型小白菜进一步分析结果表明,不同部位硝酸还原酶、根系硝态氮最大吸收速率以及亲和力这三个因素对小白菜各部位的硝酸盐积累都有显著的影响,但在不同部位,这三个因素所起的贡献率不同。     

土壤镉污染条件下叶面硒肥对生菜镉积累的影响

为探讨叶面硒肥对生菜(Lactuca sativa L.)镉胁迫的改善作用,通过盆栽试验,设置2个镉污染浓度(1 mg/kg,Cd1;3 mg/kg,Cd3)和3个叶面硒肥浓度(0 mg/L,Se0;1 mg/L,Se1;3 mg/L,Se3),研究了不同浓度叶面硒肥对生菜镉积累的影响。结果表明:①叶面硒肥的喷施可不同程度降低生菜对镉的吸收积累,较之Cd1+Se0处理,Cd1+Se1处理可显著降低生菜叶镉含量,降幅为26.29%;较之Cd3+Se0处理,Cd3+Se3处理下生菜叶镉含量显著降低49.05%。②喷施适宜浓度的叶面硒肥可不同程度提升生菜过氧化氢酶(CAT)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性,降低丙二醛(MDA)含量,Cd1+Se1处理下,生菜的CAT、SOD活性分别显著高于Cd1+Se0处理40.38%、68.71%,而MDA含量则显著降低44.48%;Cd3+Se3处理下,生菜的CAT、SOD活性较Cd3+Se0处理分别显著提升77.48%、51.70%,而MDA含量则显著降低48.90%。因此,喷施适量的叶面硒肥可明显提升生菜抗逆特性,进而有效阻控生菜对镉的吸收,其中土壤镉含量为1 mg/kg(Cd1)时,叶面硒肥喷施浓度以 1 mg/L效果最佳,土壤镉含量为3 mg/kg(Cd3)时,叶面硒肥喷施浓度以 3 mg/L效果为最优。     

Cd~(2+)处理对几种叶菜可食部分Cd含量及品质的影响

以5种叶菜为材料,采用水培和盆栽试验2种培养方式,测定不同浓度Cd2+处理下叶菜地上部(可食部分)生物量、Cd含量、硝酸盐及纤维素含量等生理与品质指标。结果表明:水培与盆栽培养条件下青菜、塌地乌、小白菜、菠菜及芥菜5种叶菜生物量随着Cd2+处理浓度增加显著降低(P0.05);可食部Cd含量显著升高(P0.05);高浓度水培与盆栽Cd2+处理(40mg.L-1和70mg.kg-1)下,5种叶菜中菠菜Cd含量相对较高,青菜Cd含量较低;随着Cd2+处理浓度增加,5种叶菜硝酸盐及纤维素含量升高,维生素C和可溶性糖含量下降,采用灰度关联综合分析表明,不同浓度Cd2+处理的5种叶菜中,青菜品质相对稳定及Cd含量较低,为Cd低积累品种。     

不同基因型番茄幼苗对镉胁迫的生理响应及镉吸收差异

采用盆栽试验,通过研究不同浓度镉（1、5、10mg·kg-1）胁迫下4种基因型番茄圣粉1号、东圣1号、农城906和宝冠1号幼苗地上部及根部生物量、镉吸收量、活性氧含量（ROS）及其他生理指标,筛选出镉低积累基因型番茄品种。结果表明,不同基因型番茄对镉胁迫响应存在差异。随镉处理浓度增加,4个品种番茄幼苗地上部生物量显著下降（P〈0.05）。地上部Cd吸收量呈增加趋势,在中浓度（5mg·kg-1）镉处理下达到峰值,品种间为宝冠1号〉圣粉1号、农城906〉东圣1号。4个品种番茄幼苗Cd转移率随镉处理浓度增加显著降低,其中东圣1号Cd转移率较低,根部Cd滞留较多,向地上部转移较少。4个品种番茄幼苗生理活性存在差异,宝冠1号番茄幼苗ROS含量及抗氧化酶（POD,CAT）活性随镉处理浓度增加变化幅度较大,东圣1号变化幅度相对较小。综合各项指标,4个基因型番茄中东圣1号为镉低积累品种。     

葛根素对小白菜镉损伤的保护作用研究

为探究葛根素(PUE)对小白菜镉(Cd)损伤的保护效果,采取外源添加不同葛根素处理,将小白菜植株随机分为7组,即对照组(CK)、PUE30组(葛根素30μmol·L^-1)、Cd4组(镉4 mg·L^-1)、Cd与PUE共处理组(4+15、4+30、4+45、4+60)。处理30 d后,观察小白菜植株生长状况、测定Cd富集量及抗胁迫生理活性物质,包括叶绿素、抗氧化酶(SOD、APX、CAT、POD)活性及过氧化氢(H₂O₂)、丙二醛(MDA)Vc、可溶性蛋白含量,并用实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)技术检测抗氧化酶基因(SOD、POD、APX及CAT)表达量。结果表明,与CK组相比,Cd4组小白菜根中Cd含量、H₂O₂和MDA含量显著升高,而地下部鲜重、地上部鲜重、抗氧化酶(SOD、POD和APX)活性和叶绿素含量整体显著降低(P<0.05)。与Cd4组相比,Cd+PUE共处理组小白菜氧化损伤程度减轻,H₂O₂     

镉汞胁迫对花生种子的毒害效应

采用室内水培法,分别研究了镉(Cd2+)、汞(Hg2+)单一胁迫对花生种子萌发与幼苗的主要生理生化特性的影响。结果表明,当Hg2+浓度达到5 mg/L、Cd2+浓度达到或大于20 mg/L时出苗率下降;当Hg2+浓度达到25 mg/L、Cd2+浓度大于10 mg/L时不仅显著抑制生长,而且根系变黑腐烂;不同浓度Hg2+与叶绿素a的含量呈显著负相关,而与叶绿素b的含量呈显著正相关;不同浓度Hg2+与花生叶片过氧化氢酶活性呈极显著正相关。过氧化氢酶活性和叶绿素含量都与Cd2+浓度呈极显著负相关。     

镉在小白菜体内的累积规律及其生物效应的研究

通过液体营养液培养的方法,以小白菜不同部位对镉的吸收累积量以及小白菜不同生长时期的平均单株叶长、平均单株鲜重、平均单株叶片数等作为研究指标,研究了0～10 mg/L外源镉对小白菜生长的影响及镉在小白菜体内累积的规律.结果表明,重金属镉在小白菜体内的累积状态为,根部累积量(0.014～376.224 mg/kg)显著高于地上部累积量(0.016～10.278 mg/kg).低浓度镉(＜7.5 mg/L)对于研究的3个生理指标基本表现促进作用;中浓度镉(7.5 mg/L)处理时3个生理指标相对于空白则无明显差异;高浓度镉(7.5～10.0 mg/L)则对3个生理指标表现为抑制作用,当外源镉浓度达到10.0 mg/L表现为显著抑制.     

硒对镉胁迫下寒地水稻镉含量与分配的影响

【目的】研究施硒对不同镉污染土壤上镉在水稻各器官中的分配及稻米中镉含量的影响,探讨通过施硒降低水稻镉吸收量及在稻米中分配的可行性。【方法】采用盆栽试验,以垦鉴稻6号为材料,研究添加不同浓度镉(0、2、4和8 mg/kg土壤)的条件下,施硒(0、0.07和0.14 mg/kg土壤)对水稻不同器官镉含量和镉分配的影响。成熟期整盆收获,分别测定叶片、叶鞘、茎秆、根系和糙米、精米镉含量、硒含量和干物重,计算镉积累量和分配比例。【结果】1)当土壤镉浓度在0 4 mg/kg时,水稻各营养器官和糙米、精米中镉含量随土壤镉浓度增高而显著增加,但当土壤中镉浓度4 mg/kg时,糙米和精米中镉含量增加不显著。未施硒(Se0)时,Cd2(4 mg/kg)和Cd3(8mg/kg)处理糙米中镉含量分别为0.221 mg/kg和0.234 mg/kg,分别是Cd0处理的15.8和16.7倍,均超过我国国家食品安全标准中稻米镉的限量(0.2 mg/kg),精米镉含量未超过国家食品安全规定的限量,Cd3处理精米中镉含量最高,为0.174 mg/kg。2)相同镉浓度下,随着硒浓度的增加,水稻各营养器官和糙米、精米的镉含量和镉积累量均显著下降,糙米和精米的镉含量均低于我国国家食品安全规定的稻米镉限量,且Se2(0.14 mg/kg)处理优于Se1(0.07 mg/kg)处理。其中Cd1(2 mg/kg)浓度时,Se2处理的精米镉含量下降幅度最大,比Se0降低31.5%(P0.01)。3)镉在各器官中的分配比例为根系茎鞘稻谷叶片。随着硒浓度的增加,镉在根系中的分配比例增加,在地上部的分配比例减少,在稻壳中的分配比例增加,在精米中的分配比例下降。在Cd1浓度时,根系镉分配比例范围为60.9%67.8%,稻谷镉分配比例为12.6%13.8%;Se2处理稻壳中镉分配比例比Se0增加5.2个百分点,而精米中镉分配比例则下降了6.2个百分点。4)相同镉浓度下,随着硒浓度的增加,植株各营养器官干物重均增加,Se2处理对干物重的影响优于Se1处理。Cd1、Cd2和Cd3浓度下,Se2处理比Se0处理稻谷干物重分别增加了6.4%(P0.01)、5.2%(P0.05)和11.3%(P0.01)。【结论】施硒可降低镉污染土壤上水稻各营养器官和糙米、精米的镉含量,并能显著降低精米中镉的分配比例,保证稻米的食用安全性,尤其在Cd加入量为2mg/kg土浓度下,施硒效果最显著,以施Se量为0.07 mg/kg处理的效果最好。     

小白菜硝酸盐积累量基因型差异机理研究

以高硝酸盐积累品种四月慢和低硝酸盐积累品种华冠青梗菜为材料,采用溶液培养方法,测定了0.2和2mmol/L NO3-处理下的硝酸盐积累量和硝酸还原酶活性,并应用Real-Time PCR技术检测了NO3-吸收基因NRT1和NRT2的表达量。结果表明:(1)除0.2 mmol/L NO3-处理时的叶片硝酸盐含量没有显著差异外,四月慢植株各部位的硝酸盐含量都显著高于华冠青梗菜,高浓度培养使品种间硝酸盐积累量差异增加,四月慢对NO3-水平增加的响应能力强于华冠青梗菜。(2)吸收液NO3-浓度12~0 mmol/L范围内,四月慢对NO3-离子吸收速率显著高于华冠青梗菜,且在高浓度下表现更显著。(3)在2 mmol/L NO3-处理下,NRT2在根、叶片、叶柄中的表达量都是四月慢显著高于华冠青梗菜,NRT1的表达量只有在根中四月慢显著高于华冠青梗菜,而在叶片和叶柄中都没有显著差异;在0.2 mmol/L NO3-处理下,NRT1和NRT2表达情况相同,都是在叶片和叶柄中四月慢显著高于华冠青梗菜,而在根中表达量品种间没有显著差异。(4)NRT1和NRT2的表达在一定程度上可以解释硝酸盐积累量的差异,可能还有其他的基因对硝酸盐积累的基因型差异起重要作用,尤其是0.2 mmol/L NO3-处理时。(5)四月慢的硝酸还原酶活性显著高于华冠青梗菜,即四月慢对硝酸根同化利用的能力强于华冠青梗菜。     

根区氮钾水平对杂交和常规水稻品种光合作用及根系生长的影响

Root box experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of N and NK levels in the root zone on shoot photosynthesis and root growth of hybrid an cultivar of rice (Oryza sativa L.) on two paddy soils (clayey and silty).The results showed that dry matter yields in the hybrid and the cultivar were considerably increased by NK supply,bu the effect was greater for the hybrid.Supply of NK in the root zone significantly increased photosynthetic rate of the lower position leaf and the active green leaf area per plant,in which the effects were much more obvious in the hybrid rice than in the cultivar.High NK supply in the root zone stimulated the root growth,and decreased pH and increased the oxidation zone in the rhizosphere in both entries,but to a greater extent in the hybrid .The results indicated that higher NK levels were needed to maintain higher root activity and shoot photosynthetic capacity in rice,particularly in hybrid rice.     

有机酸对活化土壤中镉和小麦吸收镉的影响

向土壤中加入外源有机酸,研究有机酸对活化土壤中镉的作用和小麦吸收镉的影响。结果表明：有机酸对土壤中镉有一定的活化能力,对镉活化能力强弱顺序为ＥＤＴＡ〉缺铁小麦根分泌物〉柠檬酸〉苹果酸〉水。但ＥＤＴＡ却降低了小麦地上部镉的含量,缺铁小麦根分泌物明显增加了小麦地上部镉含量。与对照相比,柠檬酸和苹果酸对小麦地上部的镉含量有一定的促进作用,也增加了小麦地上部镉含量。     

Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Cacao Genotypes

Cacao (Theobroma cacao L) is mostly grown on soils with low natural fertility. On such soils nitrogen (N) is one of the most yield limiting nutrients for cacao. Information is lacking on N use efficiency in cacao. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate growth response and N use efficiency by two cacao genotypes. The genotypes used were TSH-565 and ICS-9 and N rates adapted were 0, 120, 240, 360, and 480 mg N /pot. In both genotypes, increasing levels of applied N improved growth (stem girth, dry weight of shoot and roots and shoot/root ratio), and concentration and uptake of N. Genotypes differed significantly for stem girth and ICS -9 produced greater stem girth compared with TSH-565. Nitrogen uptake had a linear relationship with root dry weight of the two genotypes. In both genotypes, increasing levels of applied N overall increased N-uptake efficiency (NEFF = N concentration in shoot x shoot/root), but decreased N-use efficiency by shoot and roots (NUE = g dry matter of shoot or root/mg N) and N-use efficiency of carbohydrate (NUEC = mg of total carbohydrates in shoot/mg of N in shoot). Both genotypes responded differently to applied N, despite the existence of close genetic relatedness between them. The method used here appears to be suitable method for identification of cacao genotypes that are efficient in uptake and utilization of N.     

Effects of cadmium stress on seedlings of various rangeland plant species (Avena fatua L., Lathyrus sativus L., and Lolium temulentum L.): Growth,physiological traits,and cadmium accumulation

A pot culture experiment was performed to study the effect of cadmium stress (Cd stress) on seedling growth, physiological traits, and remediation potency of Avena fatua, Lathyrus sativus, and Lolium temulentum. The seedlings of these native rangeland plant species were treated with 0, 2, 4, and 6 mM cadmium nitrate concentrations. Based on the results of analysis of variance (p < 0.05), the shoot height, shoot dry weight, root length, root dry weight, root: shoot ratio, total chlorophyll content, soluble sugars, and protein contentof A. fatua, L. sativus, and L. temulentum significantly decreased with increased cadmium concentrations. Generally, translocation factor (TF) and tolerance index (TI) decreased significantly as the concentration of cadmium increased. The maximum TF and TI of studied plants in various concentrations of Cd were observed in L. temulentum followed by L. sativus and A. fatua. The root concentration factor (RCF) values of all studied plants were higher than 1 under different cadmium concentrations. Our results indicate that Lolium temulentum could be labeled as an accumulator of Cd asthe values of TF and RCF are greater than 1. A. fatua and L. sativus showed a potential to be used in the phytoremediation of Cd-contaminated soils.     

Genotypic differences in effects of cadmium on growth and nutrient compositions in wheat

Abstract

A solution culture study was conducted to determine the genotypic difference in the effects of cadmium (Cd) addition on growth and on the uptake and distribution of Cd and other 11 nutrients in wheat plants. Cadmium addition at a rate of 1 mg L^?1 significantly reduced root and shoot dry matter production, shoot height, root length, chlorophyll content, and tillers per plant. On the average of 16 wheat genotypes used in study, Cd concentrations of Cd‐treated plants were 48.1 and 459 μg g^?1 dry weight (DW) in shoots and roots, respectively, and retained 77.91% of total Cd taken up in the roots. On the whole, Cd addition reduced the concentration of sulfur (S), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), molybdenum (Mo), manganese (Mn), and boron (B), and increased iron (Fe), irrespective of the plant parts. The effect of Cd on the concentration of potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and copper (Cu) differed in shoots and roots. The significant difference existed among 16 wheat genotypes in their response to Cd in terms of growth and nutrient concentrations. Genotype E81513, which showed relatively less inhibition in growth, had the lowest shoot Cd concentration and more Cd accumulation in roots, while Ailuyuang had the highest Cd concentration and accumulation in shoot with lower Cd concentration in root. The significant interaction was found between Cd treatment and genotype for all nutrient concentrations in both shoot and root, except S and Zn in root.     

硝态氮对盐胁迫下囊果碱蓬幼苗根系生长和耐盐性的影响

在溶液培养条件下,设计了4个盐分（1,150,300或450 mmol/L NaCl）和3个氮素（0.05,5或10 mmol/L NO3--N）水平,研究了盐、氮及其互作对囊果碱蓬（Suaeda physophora Pall.）幼苗的离子吸收、氮营养状况、根系形态特征及耐盐性的影响。结果表明,与低盐或低氮相比,增加盐分或氮水平显著增加了囊果碱蓬根部的干重、根系的侧根长、表面积、总吸收面积和活跃吸收面积;且这些根系的形态指标与地上部的离子及氮的累积存在显著的正相关。高盐胁迫下增加氮营养,显著增加了地上部Na+、NO3-、有机氮的含量和硝酸还原酶的活性;降低了Cl-和K+的含量。高盐胁迫下,硝态氮的增加促进了囊果碱蓬幼苗根系的生长,增加了地上部有机氮、NO3-和Na+的累积,改善了植株的营养状况和渗透调节,从而提高了囊果碱蓬的耐盐能力。     

Phosphorus acquisition and wheat growth are influenced by shoot phosphorus status and soil phosphorus distribution in a split‐root system

Root proliferation and greater uptake per unit of root in the nutrient‐rich zones are often considered to be compensatory responses. This study aimed to examine the influence of plant phosphorus (P) status and P distribution in the root zone on root P acquisition and root and shoot growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in a split‐root soil culture. One compartment (A) was supplied with either 4 or 14 mg P (kg soil)^–1, whereas the adjoining compartment (B) had 4 mg P kg^–1 with a vertical high‐P strip (44 mg kg^–1) at 90–110 mm from the plant. Three weeks after growing in the split‐root system, plants with 4 mg P kg^–1 (low‐P plants) started to show stimulatory root growth in the high‐P strip. Two weeks later, root dry weight and length density in the high‐P strip were significantly greater for the low‐P plants than for the plants with 14 mg P (kg soil)^–1. However, after 8 weeks of growth in the split‐root system, the two P treatments of compartment A had similar root growth in the high‐P strip of compartment B. The study also showed that shoot P concentrations in the low‐P plants were 0.6–0.8 mg g^–1 compared with 1.7–1.9 mg g^–1 in the 14 mg P kg^–1 plants after 3 and 5 weeks of growth, but were similar (1.1–1.4 mg g^–1) between the two plants by week 8. The low‐P plants had lower root P concentration in both compartments than those with 14 mg P kg^–1 throughout the three harvests. The findings may indicate that root proliferation and P acquisition under heterogeneous conditions are influenced by shoot P status (internal) and soil P distribution (external). There were no differences in the total root and shoot dry weight between the two P treatments at weeks 3 and 5 because enhanced root growth and P uptake in the high‐P strip by the low‐P plants were compensated by reduced root growth elsewhere. In contrast, total plant growth and total root and shoot P contents were greater in the 14 mg P kg^–1 soil than in the low‐P soil at week 8. The two P treatments did not affect the ratio of root to shoot dry weight with time. The results suggest that root proliferation and greater P uptake in the P‐enriched zone may meet the demand for P by P‐deficient plants only for a limited period of time.     

Genotypic variation of potato for phosphorus efficiency and quantification of phosphorus uptake with respect to root characteristics

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), an important food crop, generally requires a high amount of phosphate fertilizer for optimum growth and yield. One option to reduce the need of fertilizer is the use of P‐efficient genotypes. Two efficient and two inefficient genotypes were investigated for P‐efficiency mechanisms. The contribution of root traits to P uptake was quantified using a mechanistic simulation model. For all genotypes, high P supply increased the relative growth rate of shoot, shoot P concentration, and P‐uptake rate of roots but decreased root‐to‐shoot ratio, root‐hair length, and P‐utilization efficiency. Genotypes CGN 17903 and CIP 384321.3 were clearly superior to genotypes CGN 22367 and CGN 18233 in terms of shoot–dry matter yield and relative shoot‐growth rate at low P supply, and therefore can be considered as P‐efficient. Phosphorus efficiency of genotype CGN 17903 was related to higher P‐utilization efficiency and that of CIP 384321.3 to both higher P‐uptake efficiency in terms of root‐to‐shoot ratio and intermediate P‐utilization efficiency. Phosphorus‐efficient genotypes exhibited longer root hairs compared to inefficient genotypes at both P levels. However, this did not significantly affect the uptake rate and the extension of the depletion zone around roots. The P inefficiency of CGN 18233 was related to low P‐utilization efficiency and that of CGN 22367 to a combination of low P uptake and intermediate P‐utilization efficiency. Simulation of P uptake revealed that no other P‐mobilization mechanism was involved since predicted uptake approximated observed uptake indicating that the processes involved in P transport and morphological root characterstics affecting P uptake are well described.     

2种基因型菜心根系分泌物对水稻土中DEHP解吸效应的初步研究

在邻苯二甲酸二（2-乙基己基）酯（DEHP）不同污染水平下水培油青60天菜心和特青60天菜心,采用蒸馏水法收集根系分泌物,研究其根系分泌物对水稻土壤中DEHP解吸效应的影响及其与菜心吸收累积DEHP的关系。结果表明,2种基因型菜心根系分泌物均能显著提高土壤中DEHP的解吸效应,添加根系分泌物处理上清液中DEHP含量是对照处理的1.9~26.6倍,较高污染条件下2种基因型菜心根系分泌物对土壤中DEHP具有更强的解吸效应。油青60天菜心根系分泌物的解吸效应大于特青60天菜心,前者是后者的1.6~4.6倍。2种基因型菜心根系分泌物对土壤中DEHP的解吸效应强弱与其根系、茎叶中DEHP含量达极显著相关（r≥0.924 9）,说明2种基因型菜心根系分泌物对DEHP解吸效应的影响可能是导致其根系、茎叶中DEHP含量差异的重要原因之一。     

Effect of zinc ammonia acetate on germination and early seedling growth of three maize genotypes

Zinc ammonia acetate (ZAA) is marketed as an agricultural additive (ACA) and has been shown to increase the yield of corn (Zea mays L.). However, the response is sometime variable and the effective components and the mode of action are not known. To address these issues, the effect of four concentrations (0, 0.85, 8.5, and 85 ppm) of ZAA on laboratory germination and early seedling growth of three maize genotypes were evaluated. The ZAA at 0.85 and 8.5 ppm tended to increase the total seminal root length, and shoot and root dry weight of seedling in all genotypes. Hydroponic studies revealed that plant height and whole plant dry weight of 2‐week‐old seedlings tended to be increased with 0.85 and 8.5 ppm of ZAA in all genotypes compared to the control. The number of seminal and lateral root for all genotypes, and seminal root total length for two genotypes were significantly increased by ZAA at both 0.85 or 8.5 ppm. However, the high root:shoot ratio observed for ZAA‐treated seedlings was not due to increased root growth over shoot growth but resulted from a greater reduction in shoot growth at higher ZAA concentrations. The boron (B) content of the shoots of all genotypes had a positive linear response to increasing ZAA concentrations. Both 0.85 and 8.5 ppm of ZAA increased copper (Cu) and iron (Fe) contents of all genotypes. The calcium (Ca), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and phosphorus (P) concentrations were not significantly affected by ZAA treatments, although there was a trend toward an increase for some of these elements at both 0.85 and 8.5 ppm of ZAA. In a greenhouse test, plant height, leaf area, and shoot dry weight of 3‐week‐old seedlings of all genotypes were increased by ZAA at 0.85 and 8.5 ppm. Root volume was increased at both 0.85 and 8.5 ppm for one genotype. Considering the extremely low concentration of ZAA required to induce a plant response (0.85 or 8.5 ppm), some possible modes of action of ZAA are discussed.