Fractionation method for the determination of the root length of field-grown wheat

Abstract

Extract

Studies on the root system which are essential to understand the nutrient and water uptake by plant, are very difficult because the root system in the soil can not be observed directly unlike the shoot system. Even basic parameters, such as root length and root surface area cannot be measured easily.     

Using arbuscular mycorrhiza to alleviate the stress of soil compaction on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth

Since large areas of agricultural fields in the world become compacted every year, much effort has been made to reduce the adverse effects of soil compaction on plant growth. Mechanical methods to control soil compaction may be laborious and expensive; however, biological methods such as using arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) may be more useful, economically and environmentally. The objectives of this study were: (1) to evaluate the effects of soil compaction on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth, and (2) to evaluate if using AM of different origin can reduce the stressful effects of soil compaction on wheat growth. Unsterilized and sterilized soils, different levels of compaction and three species of arbuscular mycorrhiza were applied in four replicates. The experiments were conducted in the Soil and Water Research Institute, Karaj, Iran. Soil physical and chemical properties were determined. The AM increased wheat growth in both soils at different levels of soil compaction in both experiments. For root, shoot (P=0.1) and grain (P=0.05) dry weights increases were significant. AM enhanced root growth more than shoot growth under compaction (AM resulted in significant increase in root/shoot ratios, P=0.1). Due to its unique characteristics, AM may reduce the stressful effects of soil compaction on wheat growth, though its effectiveness may decrease with increasing compaction.     

Thermoelectric module cooling for photosynthesis chambers in plant nutrition studies 1

The water cooled system for controlling air temperature in photosynthesis assimilation chamber is cumbersome and requires a water tight system consisting of a double‐jacketed chamber. Manipulation of temperature control from one air temperature to another requires the adjustment of water bath temperatures. A simplified system for the air temperature control of the assimilation chamber and heat removal under high photon flux density would be desirable. An effective thermoelectric module cooling and heating system for a photosynthesis chamber was developed and evaluated for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] Air temperature variations within a chamber were maintained within 0.4°C, 0.9°C, and 0.3°C for the wheat, sorghum, and soybean chambers, respectively. The thermoelectric module system is simple and provides sufficient cooling and heating capacities to maintain chamber air temperature from 20°C to 30°C with 1100 μmol m^‐2 s^‐1 photon flux density for photosynthesis and dark respiration studies.

Air temperature within a photosynthesis chamber during photosynthesis in plant nutrition studies is one of the important environmental parameters that must be controlled. Due to excessive heat under the relatively high photon flux density used in photosynthesis measurements, air temperature has been traditionally cooled and controlled by passing chilled water through double walled water‐jacket chambers^{3,5,7,8,12,13}. Although the water cooled double‐jacket system has been successful in controlling temperature, maintaining water tight systems has been a problem. To alleviate some of the problems of a double‐jacketed system, air was cooled by passing over a water‐cooled radiator placed below the leaf^4,11 . Under conditions of relatively high photon flux densities (1100 ymol m^‐2 s^‐1), water‐cooled systems do not provide sufficient cooling capacity to maintain 25°C or less air temperature. Mauney, et al.⁶ reported photosynthetic data obtained from cuvettes that were electrically cooled by the Peltier device, but no details of the system were provided. In later studies^9,10,14, Peltier‐cooled systems appeared as a simple alternative to water‐cooled systems. This paper reports the details on an effective thermoelectric module cooling and heating system based on the Peltier principle for photosynthesis chambers.     

The Positive Effect of Sulfur on Selenium Detoxification Under Selenite Condition in Wheat

An experiment was performed to evaluate the regulatory effects of varied amounts of sulfur (S) on selenium (Se) uptake and distribution within wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in response to selenite (SeO₃^2-). The results showed that an appropriate amount of SeO₃^2- (≤5 mg kg^?1) improved the agronomic traits of wheat, and the addition of S significantly alleviated wheat growth inhibition caused by excessive SeO₃^2- (≥15 mg kg^?1). The Se concentration of different fractions in wheat grain showed a tendency of alkali-soluble Se > alcohol-soluble Se > water-soluble Se > salt-soluble Se. The use of S significantly reduced Se accumulation in each wheat part when the addition of SeO₃^2- was ≤15 mg kg^?1, but the Se distribution ratio of various wheat parts was not influenced by S supply. Overall, the application of S fertilizer is an effective technical measure to promote wheat production safety in high-Se areas.     

利用高光谱指数进行冬小麦条锈病严重度的反演研究

通过选取不同条锈病抗性品种(高抗、高感、中间)进行田间不同梯度(对照、轻度、中度、重度)的接种试验,在接种后每隔7 d左右,同步测定了不同品种、不同处理的冠层光谱、单叶光谱和对应目标的病情指数以及叶面积指数、叶倾角等生物物理参数和叶绿素、SPAD数值等生物化学参数。通过对获取的光谱数据和生物物理参数和生物化学参数进行统计分析。研究结果表明,小麦被条锈病感染以后,叶片叶绿素含量急剧下降,通过研究叶片绿度值(SPAFD)值与叶绿素含量之间的关系,建立了叶片叶绿素含量和叶片SPAD数值之间的线性关系方程。通过在借鉴前人研究结果的基础上,通过筛选光谱指数,在冠层水平上构建作物冠层结构不敏感色素反演指数(CCII=TCARI/OSAVI)来反演全生育期不同处理的SPAD数值,此反演结果受品种类型、冠层结构和土壤背景的影响较小,线性方程的决定系数达到极显著的水平。在单叶水平选取归一化的光化学指数(NPRI)来反演单叶的病情指数(DI),线性方程的决定系数达到极显著的水平。所以该文通过选取适当的高光谱指数进行冬小麦条锈病严重度的反演的理论和方法是可行的。且反演结果受不同品种、不同叶面积指数和土壤背景等的影响均较小。     

The Productivity of Subsequent Wheat Enhanced with Residual Carbon Sources and Phosphorus under Improved Irrigation System

ABSTRACT

A two-year consecutive experiment was conducted at agriculture Research Institute Mingora Swat, Pakistan during Rabi 2016–17 and 2017–18 to study the residual effect of carbon sources on water use efficiency and subsequent wheat productivity. Carbon sources (peach leaf and rotten fruits on dry basis, compost of peach residues and biochar of these residues), Three P rates (P1 = 50, P2 = 75, and P3 = 100 kg P ha^?1) with two irrigation levels (225 and 175 mm) along with traditional planting with no irrigation, were used in the experiment. No carbon sources or phosphorus was applied to the wheat crop at any stage. The results clearly indicated that CS such as biochar with improved irrigation system of 225 mm could enhance the soil water availability in 0–100 cm during the key growth stages, as well as WUE and rainfall use efficiency were improved by 34% and 51% as compared with no irrigation, respectively. Maximum yield components were produced by compost while biological yield was increased with biochar amendments. It is concluded that irrigation volume of 225 mm produced higher grain yield when wheat was sown after the preceding crop treated with biochar and 75 kg P ha^?1. It is concluded that biochar with 225 mm irrigation level is a suitable treatment for efficient consumption of local rainfall and increase subsequent wheat productivity under the northern climatic scenario of Pakistan because it improves the Evapo Transpiration (WUE), Radiation Use Efficiency (RUE) and reduces ET levels, thereby enhancing the grain yield, net pro?t, and food security.     

Phosphorus Influx and Root‐Shoot Relations as Indicators of Phosphorus Efficiency of Different Crops

Abstract

The large variation in phosphorus acquisition efficiency of different crops provides opportunities for screening crop species that perform well on low phosphorus (P) soil. To explain the differences in P efficiency of winter maize (Zea mays L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), a green house pot experiment was conducted by using P‐deficient Typic ustochrept loamy sand soil (0.5 M NaHCO₃‐extractable P 4.9 mg kg^?1, pH 7.5, and organic carbon 2.7 g kg^?1) treated with 0, 30, and 60 mg P kg^?1 soil. Under P deficiency conditions, winter maize produced 76% of its maximum shoot dry weight (SDW) with 0.2% P in shoot, whereas chickpea and wheat produced about 30% of their maximum SDW with more than 0.25% P in shoot. Root length (RL) of winter maize, wheat, and chickpea were 83, 48, and 19% of their maximum RL, respectively. Considering relative shoot yield as a measure of efficiency, winter maize was more P efficient than wheat and chickpea. Winter maize had lower RL/SDW ratio than that of wheat, but it was more P efficient because it could maintain 2.2 times higher P influx even under P deficiency conditions. In addition, winter maize had low internal P requirement and 3.3 times higher shoot demand (i.e., higher amount of shoot produced per cm of root per second). Even though chickpea had 1.2 times higher P influx than winter maize, it was less P efficient because of few roots (i.e., less RL per unit SDW). Nutrient uptake model (NST 3.0) calculations satisfactorily predicted P influxes by all the three crops under sufficient P supply conditions (C_Li 48 µM), and the calculated values of P influx were 81–99% of the measured values. However, in no‐P treatment (C_Li 3.9 µM), under prediction of measured P influx indicated the importance of root exudates and/or mycorrhizae that increase P solubility in the rhizosphere. Sensitivity analysis showed that in low P soils, the initial soil solution P concentration (C_Li) was the most sensitive factor controlling P influx in all the three crops.     

Senescence of the flag leaf and grain yield following late foliar and root applications of phosphate on plants of differing phosphorus status

The balance between leaf senescence, induced by phosphorus deficiency, and grain growth was examined in wheat plants grown in sand with high (control) and low phosphorus (low‐P) nutrition. Foliar applications of P were made prior to anthesis and at early and mid grain development. Low‐P plants were also given an additional dose of P via the roots at mid grain development.

Foliar applications of P had no effect on leaf function (net CO₂ exchange rate), or grain development in control plants. However, P applied to the flag leaf of low‐P plants delayed senescence and thus increased leaf area duration, but this did not result in a significant increase in grain yield per ear. Phosphorus applied to the ear surface (the glumes) of low‐P plants increased the concentration of P in the grain, but did not increase the number of cells per grain, or the grain yield per ear. The late application of P via the roots also delayed senescence in low‐P plants, but did not cause an increase in yield.

These experiments indicate that grain growth in low‐P plants is not limited by the level of supply of photosynthate, or the availability of P during the actual period of grain development. Phosphorus translocated to the grain late in plant development is used inefficiently in plants that are adequately supplied with phosphorus and in plants suffering from P deficiency.     

Increases in phosphatase and β‐glucosidase activities in wheat seedlings in response to phosphorus‐deficient growth

The ability of plants to utilize P efficiently is important for crops growing in P‐deficient soils or on soils with a high P‐fixing capacity. The purpose of this work was to investigate early physiological changes which occur when wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings were grown under P‐deficient conditions. Wheat plants were grown in a greenhouse and watered with nutrient solution containing or lacking P. During the interval 12 to 18 days after planting, the dry weight of wheat seedlings was similar regardless of P treatment, although the P‐deficient plants had a greater proportion of the total plant weight in the roots. Sixteen days after planting, the roots and leaves of P‐deficient plants had only 20 to 30% the P content of P‐sufficient plants. After 16 days, plants grown under P stress had 41% more p‐nitrophenol phosphatase activity and 70% more β‐glucosidase activity in shoot homogenates than was found in P‐sufficient plants. Changes in both enzyme activities may be involved in the mobilization of plant resources during the early stages of P‐deficient growth.     

黑龙港低平原高产田小麦追肥研究

在严重干旱的 1999～ 2 0 0 0年 ,采用 3个品种 ,3个追肥量 ,3个追肥时期和 3次重复的完全组合设计 ,对大运河以东黑龙港低平原区高产田小麦春季追氮时期和追氮量进行了系统研究。结果表明 :春季追肥时期宜晚 ,第一次肥水在 4叶 1心到 5叶 1心期为好 ,追肥量以尿素 75kg/hm2 为高限 ,甚至可以考虑不追肥。     

硅对小麦生长及其抗氧化酶系统的影响

本文研究了基施硅营养对小麦分蘖期的生长状况、叶片类脂脂肪酸组成及抗氧化酶系统的影响。结果显示 ,施硅促进了小麦的生长 ;降低了膜脂过氧化程度 ,提高了叶片类脂脂肪酸的不饱和度。但施硅处理对超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶 (APX)活性没有影响 ,却使过氧化物酶 (POD)与过氧化氢酶 (CAT )活性下降 ,暗示POD和CAT具备在较低活力水平上高效清除H2 O2 等强氧化剂的可能性。     

PEG-6000模拟干旱胁迫对紫苏种子萌发的影响

为研究不同紫苏品种种子在萌发期对干旱胁迫的响应,给评价紫苏种子的抗旱性和栽培管理提供理论依据,以紫苏品种TS003号和贵苏4号为试料,采用不同浓度的PEG-6000溶液模拟干旱胁迫,分别测定2个品种的种子发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数、胚根长和鲜重等指标。结果表明,不同浓度的PEG-6000干旱胁迫处理对TS003号、贵苏4号的发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数、胚根长和鲜重均产生抑制作用,均随着PEG-6000浓度的增加呈下降趋势。与蒸馏水空白对照相比,在低浓度PEG-6000(3%、6%)干旱胁迫下,各指标值下降幅度差异不显著(P ＞ 0.05),PEG-6000浓度在12%及以上时显著下降(P < 0.05),尤其在PEG-6000浓度为24%(重度干旱胁迫)处理下紫苏种子发芽完全受到抑制。     

ROLE OF SALICYLIC ACID IN REGULATION OF CADMIUM TOXICITY IN WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.)

The present study is focused on the possible mediatory role of salicylic acid (SA) under cadmium (Cd⁺²) toxicity. Cadmium treatments resulted in the inhibition of root dry biomass, root elongation and increased Cd accumulation in roots. Pretreatment of seeds with SA (500 μM) for 20 hrs resulted in protection against Cd, increased root dry biomass, root elongation and minimal accumulation of cadmium. Cadmium chloride (CdCl₂; 0.0, 100, 400 and 1000 μM) produced a significant inhibition in chlorophyll, photosynthetic efficiency [carbon dioxide (¹⁴CO₂)-fixation], relative water content (RWC) and abscisic acid (ABA) content. Pretreatment of seeds with SA alleviated the Cd negative effect on these parameters. A drop in the activities of carboxylating enzymes, phosphoenol pyruvate carboxylase (PEPC, EC 4.1.1.31), and ribulose1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBPC, EC 4.1.1.39) were observed in Cd treated plants. Pretreatment with SA ameliorated the inhibitory effect of Cd on the studied enzymatic activities. Cadmium applied to salicylic acid free plants increased the level of stress metabolites, malondialdehide (MDA), hydrogen peroxides, and free proline content. Salicylic acid pretreatment decreased the toxic effect level of cadmium manifested by lower lipid peroxidation, lesser production of H₂O₂ and reduction in free proline content. The ultrastructural investigation of the root cells of wheat exposed to different concentrations of Cd for 15 days was carried out. The results indicated that Cd induced several obvious ultrastructural changes such as increased vacuolation, condensed cytoplasm with increased density of the matrix, reduction of mitochondrial cristae, severe plasmolysis, highly condensed nuclear chromatin and increment of disintegrated organelles. Electron dense granules appeared between the cell wall and plasmalemma. In vacuoles, electron dense granules encircled by the membrane were aggregated and formed into larger precipitates, which increase in number and volume as a consequence of excessive Cd exposure. An important issue arising from this study was how the short-term treatment with SA affected several physiological processes, such as plant growth, photosynthesis, and antioxidant defense system. We assume that the beneficial effect of SA during an earlier growth period could be related to avoidance of cumulative damage upon exposure to cadmium. One of the important roles of SA in inducing resistance to various environmental stresses is manifested by its ability to express genes that code for pathogenesis-related proteins or defense-related enzymes. Also, SA could form a complex with Cd that may provide Cd tolerance.