Effect of nitrate and humic substances of different molecular size on kinetic parameters of nitrate uptake in wheat seedlings

The kinetic parameters of nitrate uptake (I_max, Km and C_min) were evaluated in young seedlings of Triticum durum L., cv. Appulo, exposed to nitrate and/or to soil‐extracted humic acids (HAs) of different molecular weight. The uptake was enhanced after induction at low levels of nitrate (50 μM KNO₃), while it was inhibited after induction at higher concentrations (2000 μM). The kinetic parameters of uptake were selectively influenced by pre‐treatment with HAs: total (TE) and, at a greater extent, low (LMS, < 3500 Da) molecular size humic fraction increased either the nitrate uptake rate (I_max) and the efficiency of the whole transport system (low Km and C_min), while an opposite result was evidenced in high molecular size (HMS, > 3500 Da)‐treated plants. An additive effect was shown when nitrate and humic substances were provided simultaneously: the uptake rate was enhanced in TE‐ and LMS‐treated plants, but was strongly delayed in HMS‐treated plants. Removal of nitrate and/or humic fractions de‐induced the system and NO₃^— uptake rate decreased. Exposure to HAs was not able to induce nitrate reductase activity in root and leaf tissues. Inhibitors of protein synthesis p‐fluorophenylalanine and cycloheximide reversed the positive effect of LMS fraction on nitrate uptake. This would support the hypothesis of a promoting effect of HAs on the molecular expression of proteins of the nitrate transport system.     

Humic substances and nature-like technologies

Journal of Soils and Sediments -     

A simple model for phosphorus uptake kinetics of wheat seedlings

A simple model to compare and predict phosphorus (P) uptake behavior of plants may be useful to agronomists. A predictive equation based on Michaelis‐Menten kinetics was developed for this purpose. Kinetic parameters for use in the model were determined in an experiment using two cultivars of winter wheat grown for 21 days in 14 soil treatments, including seven P levels, each in fumigated and unfumigated soil. In another experiment, the same wheat cultivars were grown for 7, 14, or 21 days at one soil P level in both fumigated and unfiimigated soil. Using parameter values developed in the first experiment with multiple P levels and one time period, the model closely (R²=0.966, P<0.001) predicted P uptake in the second experiment with one P level over multiple time periods. The model could be a useful agronomic tool because of its simplicity and because no data need be collected from artificial growing conditions.     

Heavy metal uptake by wheat seedlings grown in fly ash-amended soils

A bioassay technique was used to investigate heavy metals uptake by wheat seedlings grown in fly ash-amended soils. No negative effect of fly ash on the growth of wheat seedlings was found. The addition of the fly ash generally decreased the heavy metal concentration in the wheat seedlings. The total accumulation largely depended on the soil characteristics. The variation in the soil pH induced by the fly ash treatment could be considered the most important parameter that influenced heavy metals uptake. In the soil with a higher increase of pH (2 units) total accumulation of heavy metals decreased with increasing fly ash addition. In the other soils where the pH variation was lower (0.4 units), total accumulation of some heavy metals increased. These obtained data provide useful information which is required before the agronomic use of fly ash can be recommended in Italian soils.     

Humic substances in agro-stratozems of Leningrad oblast

Chemical properties and some parameters of the humus status of agro-stratozems developed in Leningrad oblast from different parent materials and with different histories of agricultural use were studied. The stability of the elemental composition of humus in the studied soils was found. The group and fractional composition of humus was more sensitive to agricultural impacts. In response to the application of manure, lime, and mineral fertilizers, humate-fulvate humus changed into fulvate-humate humus and the content of the agronomically most valuable HA-2 fraction increased, in some cases, to predominance. Exclusion from land use for 15 years decreased the humus content and changed its composition; it became more similar to that in zonal soddy-podzolic soils, which are the natural analogues of the agro-stratozems studied.     

Humic substances and phosphatase activities in plant tissues

Humic acid and its fractions obtained by water- or acid-boiling inhibited phosphatase activity per se in beet, carrot and potato discs, pea roots and epicotyls and wheat roots, coleoptiles and leaves. In wheat roots the order of effectiveness of various humic acid fractions in inhibiting phosphatase activity was acid-boiled soluble > water-boiled soluble > acid-boiled insoluble > water-boiled insoluble > original humic acid. A number of synthetic humic acids were also effective inhibitors of enzyme activity but phenolic acids had no effect.The degree of inhibition was not related to C, H or N contents or to the total ash, carboxyl or phenolic contents of the humic acid samples. Magnesium ions enhanced phosphatase activity and decreased the inhibition of phosphatase activity produced by the humic acid fractions.Humic acid fractions did not affect the maximum temperature for enzyme activity or its pH optimum and had little effect on the Michaelis constant. They did, however, reduce the maximum velocity of the enzyme reaction thus producing a non-competitive inhibition of enzyme activity.It is suggested that the humic acid fractions inhibit phosphatase activity by combining with the enzyme, but not at the most active site of enzyme activity.     

The effect of amino acids and amides on the regulation of nitrate uptake by wheat seedlings

Wheat plants grown hydroponically increased their nitrate uptake rate more than two‐fold after three days of N starvation. Exogenously supplied amino acids and amides had no effect on the nitrate uptake rate of plants well nourished in N. After three days of N starvation, however, some of the amino acids and amides supplied to plants inhibited up to 50% of the nitrate uptake rate. The most effective inhibitor was aspartic acid. Asparagine, glutamine or phenylalanine did not show any inhibitory effect. The percentage of inhibition was not increased by increasing the amino acid concentration, nor did the addition of mixed amino acids and amides increase the inhibition exerted by one amino acid alone. During the three days of N starvation, there was a decrease in the concentration of endogenous amino acids in the roots, but not all amino acids decreased their concentration at the same rate.

It is suggested that the endogenous levels of some amino acids may repress the nitrate uptake system in plants well supplied with N. During the development of the N deficiency, the concentration of these amino acid decreases, de‐repressing the nitrate uptake system.     

Nutrient uptake by wheat seedlings that differ in response to mixed nitrogen nutrition 1

In hydroponics, cereal crop growth is usually enhanced when the nutrient media contains both nitrate and ammonium compared to either form separately. Identification of genotypic variation between two spring wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum cv. Len, and Triticum durum cv. Inbar) in their magnitude of growth response to mixed N permits a comparative evaluation of metabolic processes underlying enhanced growth from utilization of N mixtures. The objective of this study was to determine if the additional mixed N‐induced growth, and the difference in response between cultivars, is associated with the uptake or partitioning of N, P, or K during the seedling stage of development. Plants of Len and Inbar were grown hydroponicaily for 21 days in nutrient solutions containing N either as all nitrate or as a 50/50 mixture of nitrate and ammonium. The mean of three experiments showed that whole plant dry weight increased 19% for Len and 41 % for Inbar when the plants were supplied with the N mixture compared to only nitrate. With the N mixture, the increase in biomass was almost entirely due to enhanced shoot production, which was mainly the result of greater tiller formation. Both cultivars absorbed more N, P, and K when grown with mixed N, and the additional N and K uptake of appeared to be associated with the enhanced growth. This conclusion is based on the observation that Inbar absorbed proportionately more N and K, but less P, than Len when grown with mixed N nutrition. These data suggest that the increased dry matter production from the utilization of mixed N nutrition is not directly related to the additional absorption of P, but may be associated with enhanced N and K uptake.     

Humic substances and aggregate stability in rhizospheric and non-rhizospheric soil

Purpose

The paper describes rhizospheric (Rs) and non-rhizospheric (nRs) soil to demonstrate the zone of the plant root impact on physical and chemical properties of the soil. The effects of the process accompanying the transformations of organic matter into humic substances in the rhizosphere of “common dandelion” Taraxacum officinale have been determined, and the properties of humic acids (HAs) were described. The importance of iron and clay minerals for the formation of a stable and water-resistant soil structure has been emphasized.

Materials and methods

The laboratory analysis involved determination of basic physical and chemical soil properties: texture, pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), electrical conductivity, and content of total organic carbon (TOC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and quality of humic substances: optical properties of HAs and its separation into hydrophilic (HIL) and hydrophobic (HOB) fractions, speciation of iron, glomalin operationally described as an easily extractable glomalin-related soil protein (EE-GRSP), and soil aggregate stability (SAS) of six size classes of soil aggregates.

Results and discussion

The Rs was reported with a higher TOC and DOC content (measured in the CaCl₂ extracts), however not significantly. The HAs isolated from Rs revealed a significantly higher content of humic substances at its initial decomposition stage, as compared with nRs. A significantly higher concentration of EE-GRSP was noted in the aggregates of the rhizospheric zone (mean 1.14 g kg^?1) than in the aggregates collected from root-free soil (mean 0.94 g kg^?1). There was noted the highest mean share of 1–3 mm soil aggregates in Rs as well as in nRs, respectively 44.4 and 38.3%. The soil material both in Rs and in nRs contained high amounts of exchangeable Ca²⁺, and smectite is the predominant clay mineral. It was favorable for the accumulation of organic carbon and for the formation of good soil physical condition (tilth). Higher but insignificant SAS values were observed for Rs (mean SAS?=?95.6%) than for nRs (mean SAS?=?93.9%).

Conclusions

The studies confirm the role of common dandelion roots in the process of organic carbon accumulation in rhizospheric zone and a favorable effect on the mechanism of the formation of water-resistant aggregates. Higher values of SAS for the Rs were affected by the content of TOC, DOC, exchangeable Ca²⁺ and the concentration of EE-GRSP, and, less considerably, the content of Fe and clay minerals.

     

The uptake and toxicity of mercury and lead to spruce (picea abifs karst. seedlings

Inhibition of root elongation rate was used to estimate the toxicity of methyl-Hg, Hg and Pb to spruce seedlings in nutrient solution. Methyl-Hg was found to be considerably more toxic than HgCl₂, this was found to be due to its intrinsic toxicity and not a greater uptake into the roots. The toxicity of Pb was dependent upon the composition of the nutrient solution, a greater inhibition of root elongation was found in a nutrient poor artificial soil solution than in a full nutrient solution. The implications of these studies to spruce decline are discussed.     

Inoculating wheat seedlings with exopolysaccharide-producing bacteria restricts sodium uptake and stimulates plant growth under salt stress

A pot experiment was conducted to elucidate the effects of inoculating five exopolysaccharide- (EPS-) producing bacterial strains on the dry matter yield and the uptake of K⁺, Na⁺, and Ca²⁺ by wheat seedlings grown in a moderately saline soil. The bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere soil (RS) of wheat grown in a salt-affected soil and included Aeromonas hydrophila/caviae (strain MAS-765), Bacillus insolitus (strain MAS17), and Bacillus sp. (strains MAS617, MAS620 and MAS820). The inoculation substantially increased the dry matter yield of roots (149–527% increase) and shoots (85–281% increase), and the mass of RS (176–790% increase). All the strains, except MAS617, also increased the RS mass/root mass ratio as well as the population density of EPS bacteria on the rhizoplane, and both these parameters were significantly correlated with the content of water-insoluble saccharides in the RS. Inoculation restricted Na⁺ uptake by roots, which was not attributable to the binding of Na⁺ by the RS, or to the ameliorative effects of Ca²⁺ under salinity. The decreased Na⁺ uptake by roots of inoculated than uninoculated plants was probably caused by a reduced passive (apoplasmic) flow of Na⁺ into the stele due to the higher proportion of the root zones covered with soil sheaths in inoculated treatments. Among the strains tested, MAS820 was the most efficient in all respects, whereas MAS617 was the least effective. Results suggested that inoculating selected EPS-producing bacteria could serve as a useful tool for alleviating salinity stress in salt-sensitive plants.     

Humic substances: Structure,function and benefits for agroecosystems—a review

The increasing global demand for food production, often causing excessive use of chemical fertilizers, has led to the deterioration of soil health. Immediate action is required to restore soil health in a sustainable manner. This review advocates switching to use of organic matter(manure and compost) that contains vital nutrients for plant growth and helps restore soil health. Humic substances(HSs), derived from degraded plant remains and found ubiquitously in nature,are an important source of o...     

Silicon alleviates nickel toxicity in cotton seedlings through enhancing growth,photosynthesis, and suppressing Ni uptake and oxidative stress

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is a well-known and economically most beneficial crop worldwide while nickel (Ni) toxicity is a widespread problem in crops grown on Ni-contaminated soils. We investigated the response of silicon (Si) in cotton under Ni stress with respect to growth, biomass, gas exchange attributes, enzymatic activities, and Ni uptake and accumulation. For this, plants were grown in hydroponics for 12 weeks with three levels of Ni (0, 50, and 100 µM) in the presence or absence of 1 mM Si. Results showed that Ni significantly reduced the plant growth, biomass, gas exchange attributes, and pigment contents while Si application mitigated these adverse effects under Ni stress. Nickel stress significantly decreased antioxidant enzymes’ activities while increased malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and electrolyte leakage (EC) in leaves and roots. The application of Si enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes and reduced MDA, H₂O₂, and EC in plants. Nickel application significantly increased Ni concentration and accumulation in leaf, stem, and roots while Si application significantly decreased Ni in these plant parts. The present study indicates that Si could improve cotton growth under Ni stress by lowering Ni uptake and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and by increasing antioxidant enzymes activities.     

Sugarmill effluent effects on growth,photosynthetic pigments and nutrient uptake in wheat seedlings in aqueous vs. soil medium

Germination, seedling growth, concentrations of photosynthetic pigments and nutrient uptake inTriticum vulgare L. (Var. W-H-147) were studied in response to sugarmill effluent application (10% concentration) in aqueous Vs. soil medium. The effluent rich in various nutrients showed particularly high concentration of sodium. Germination was not affected by the effluent treatment. Seedling growth was reduced significantly by the effluent in aqueous medium, but not in soil. The effluent treatment increased the concentrations of various pigments, however, the pigment ratios got changed in the aqueous medium only. The uptake of nitrogen, magnesium and carbon by the seedlings decreased while that of calcium, sodium and phosphorus increased in effluent treated plants, the changes being more marked in aqueous medium except for phosphorus. In the effluent treated plants, uptake of potassium and chloride increased in aqueous medium, hut decreased sharply in soil.     

小麦的铝毒及耐性

为探明Al的毒性和忍耐机理 ,比较了Scout 66和Atlas 66Al敏感和抗性的 2个小麦品种的根对Al的积累模式、根细胞壁对Al的吸附以及Al诱导的有机酸的分泌。结果表明 ,Al对Scout 6 6根伸长的抑制作用较Atlas 66明显。根系吸收的Al主要积累于 0至 5mm根尖处。Scout 6 6的根尖及Al处理后分离的根尖细胞壁对Al的积累量大于Atlas 6 6。但是 ,Al处理前分离根尖细胞壁 ,Al处理后细胞壁对Al的吸附量两品种间无显著差异。Al可诱导Atlas 6 6的根系分泌苹果酸 ,而Scout 6 6的分泌物中未发现Al诱导的有机酸。这些结果表明 ,Atlas 6 6的根尖及其细胞壁较Scout 66积累较少的Al,这种差异与Al诱导的有机酸分泌有关 ,而与根尖细胞壁固有的吸附Al的能力无关     

Humic substances increase the effectiveness of iron sulfate and Vivianite preventing iron chlorosis in white lupin

The main objective of this work was to study the influence of humic substances (HS) on the effectiveness of Fe sulfate and Vivianite in preventing Fe chlorosis in white lupin with a view of performing cost-effective methods to overcome the problem. Two consecutive crops were performed using calcareous sand treated with different Fe sources (FeSO₄·7H₂O and Vivianite, at three different rates, and Fe-EDDHA) and five HS rates. Vivianite was more effective and persistent than Fe sulfate in increasing Soils and Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) readings and lupin yield expressed as dry matter (DM), probably due to the type of alteration products formed upon Vivianite oxidation. The effect of Fe sulfate and Vivianite in preventing Fe chlorosis was significantly increased by HS, and the best results were obtained with Vivianite and HS applied at 0.32 g Fe kg⁻¹ and 0.06 g kg⁻¹ growing media, respectively. SPAD readings with this treatment accounted for 85% and 70% of those obtained with Fe-EDDHA in the first and second crop, respectively, whereas DM production was greater with the Vivianite + HS treatment than with Fe-EDDHA. These results showed the potential effectiveness of treatments based on the application of Vivianite and HS in overcoming Fe chlorosis. However, HS applied with Fe sources at rates of 0.5 and 1 g kg⁻¹ growing media decreased SPAD readings and plant yield. These positive and negative effects of HS in preventing Fe chlorosis were more evident with Fe sulfate and Vivianite than with chelated Fe, probably due to the effect of HS on the solubility of Fe forms of the growing medium.     

Boron amelioration of aluminum toxicity in mungbean seedlings

Boron (B) amelioration of aluminum (Al) toxicity was studied for growth of mungbean (Phaseolus aureus Roxb.) seedlings and cuttings (without roots) in a growth chamber. Mungbean seedlings and cuttings were grown in the solution with combinations of three concentrations of B (0,5, and 50 μM) and three concentrations of Al (0, 2, and 5 mM) in randomized complete block design experiments for 16 days. Results showed that B significantly promoted elongation of epicotyls and hypocotyls, and increased height of seedlings grown under Al stress. Boron also increased fresh weight of seedlings in high Al solution. Treatment of plants grown with high B and Al stress had no apparent effect on fresh and dry weights of seedling roots. Seedling dry weight increased significantly by adding high B to solutions with 2 mM or 5 mM Al. No significant differences were observed between the high B treatment and the control (normal B, 5 μM) in lengths of epicotyls and fresh and dry weights of mungbean cuttings grown under Al stress. High concentrations of B decreased soluble protein and increased chlorophyll in seedlings treated with 2 mM Al. Boron had no amelioration effect on cuttings grown with Al, although Al increased soluble protein. Our results suggested that B alleviation of Al toxicity was related to root function and Al toxicity may possibly be due, in part, to B deficiency.     

二甲亚砜对小麦幼苗抗冷性的影响研究

试验研究二甲亚砜(DMSO)浸种对小麦幼苗抗冷性的影响结果表明,适宜浓度(2~5g/kg)的二甲亚砜浸种可提高冷害小麦幼苗膜保护酶超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化物酶活性,降低膜脂过氧化产物丙二醛(MDA)含量和电解质渗漏率,提高冷害小麦幼苗叶绿素和可溶性蛋白质含量及根系活力,增加冷害小麦幼苗株高、干物质量和根冠比。     

镉胁迫下施硒对冬小麦幼苗镉吸收、抗氧化能力及植株超微结构的影响

【目的】硒(Se)在提高植物抗逆性方面起着重要作用。硒减轻植物重金属Cd毒害的直接和间接机制需要进一步研究。【方法】供试作物为小麦(Triticum aestivum L.)。水培试验设置5个处理：Hoagland基础营养液(CK),营养液中只添加Cd 5μmol/L (Cd5Se0),添加Cd 5μmol/L和Se 5μmol/L (Cd5Se5),只添加Cd 20μmol/L(Cd20Se0),同时添加Cd 20μmol/L和Se 5μmol/L (Cd20Se5)。通过测定小麦镉含量和抗氧化系统相关指标,研究硒对小麦镉吸收时间动力学的影响以及小麦抗氧化体系中的调控机制;并观察了叶片和根系细胞的超微结构。【结果】镉胁迫下,施硒使小麦地上部的镉含量降低了18.20%～38.16%,镉积累量显著降低了40.79%～43.05%(P<0.05)。小麦根系在0～24 h内对镉的吸收特征符合一元二次方程,24 h内,在Cd5和Cd20条件下,施硒后小麦对镉的吸收量分别降低了48.96%和11.47%。相较于CK,在Cd20条件下,根和叶片中超氧阴离子■的产生速率以及过氧化氢(H