Comparative response of poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) and eight crop and vegetable species to manganese excess in solution culture

The relative response of poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) and eight crop and vegetable species to excess manganese was investigated in a glasshouse, solution culture experiment. Plant yields and manganese concentrations were measured after two and six weeks growth at five levels of manganese (10–800 μM).

Poppies were highly sensitive to manganese toxicity in solution culture and reductions in shoot yield occurred at lower manganese levels in solution and at lower shoot manganese concentrations than that for the following sensitive species, ranked in order of increasing tolerance : brussels sprout, barley, green beans, lucerne and grean pea. In contrast lupins, oats and sugar beet were relatively tolerant producing about 80% or more of maximum shoot yield at the highest solution manganese level (800 μM Mn).

In this study the sensitivity of poppy, and brussels sprout, to manganese excess was attributed to their low shoot manganese “toxicity threshold values”; and their capacity to partition a high proportion of total plant manganese and dry matter to the shoot at solution manganese levels ≥ 100 μM.

The application of these results to field grown poppy is discussed in relation to interactions between manganese and other elements which modify plant tolerance to manganese excess.     

The relative efficiency of ionic iron(III) and iron(II) utilization by the rice plant

Uptake of iron by rice plants was equally rapid when supplied as ionic iron(II) or iron(III) at pH 3 and 4. Iron(III) uptake was reduced at pH 5 and uptake of iron when supplied as FeEDTA was relatively low at all three pH levels.

At pH 4 in the presence of plant roots, reduction of iron(III) to iron(II) occurred as indicated by Fe²⁺ BPDS formation. BPDS in a 3:1 ratio to iron(III) suppressed iron uptake by about 70%. The reduction was observed to be located in the endodermis of young roots and exodermis of older roots.

A capacity to oxidize iron(II) at the root surface was also observed under local anaerobic and relatively high pH conditions.

The significance of these two counteracting processes in affecting the oxidation state of iron at the root surface is discussed.     

Aluminum effects on uptake and translocation of nitrogen in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor,L. Moench)

The effects of aluminum on the uptake and translocation of N in two hybrid cultivars of sorghum with differential tolerance to aluminum were studied.

Aluminum decreased the amount of N accumulated and the % of N in the aerial parts of the plants. In the roots the amount of N accumulated also decreased but the % of N increased, in both cultivars. Besides an effect on dry matter yield, Al probably reduces the uptake of N and its translocation to the aerial parts of the plant. Apparently, this impairment on N translocation resulted from Al effects on the root pressure.

Aluminum not only reduced the amount of N translocated but also changed the sap composition. The % of NO₃ ‐N decreased while the % of amino acid‐N increased suggesting an Al effect on N uptake and also on protein degradation. Asparagine and glutamine contributed about 80% of the free amino acid fraction; however, their proportions changed in presence of Al. Therefore, Al also interfered with the synthesis and/or interconversion of these amino acids.     

The effect of salinity and iron application on growth and mineral uptake of sunflower (helianthus annuus L.)

In a greenhouse experiment, the effect of salinity and Fe chelate on growth and mineral uptake of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. c.v. Record) was studied.

Sunflower plants were grown in nutrient solution with four levels of salinity (0, 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 atm), induced by NaCl and four rates of Fe chelate (0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5, ppm Fe) as FeEDDHA. The experiment was a completely randomized design with treatment combinations arranged in a factorial manner with three replications.

Dry matter yield, shoot‐root ratio, leaf area, plant height and transpiration decreased as salinity increased, the effect of salinity being depressed by iron applications. Salinity reduced P, K, Ca and Mg uptake by roots as well as that of N, P, K, Ca, Mg by shoots, while Fe applications increased uptake of these elements in roots and shoots. Both salinity and iron applications increased Cl, Na and Fe uptake by roots and shoots, as expected. In most instances salinity reduced uptake of Fe, Mn and Zn by the plants while iron applications improved uptake of these elements.

The sunflower plant used in this experiment was found to be, at least partly, tolerant to salinity and decreased water availability as well as toxicity of ions. Nutritional disorders were the cause of decreased plant growth by increasing salinity of the nutrient solution. The decreased plant growth and mineral uptake, induced by salinity, were partially offset by increased iron levels in the nutrient solution.     

Iron nutrition of sunflower(Helianthus annuus L.) as affected by various levels of p and ZN

The effects of various P and Zn levels on iron nutrition of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.c.v. Record) were studied in two separate experiments in nutrient solution under greenhouse conditions.

In the first experiment, sunflower was grown in nutrient solutions containing four levels of P(1.5, 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 mM/l) and three levels of Fe(0.25, 0.75, and 1.5 ppm) as FeCl₃ or FeEDDHA. In the second experiment (following the first experiment), the treatments were three P levels (0.75, 1.50 and 3.00 mM/l), three Fe levels (0.25, 0.75 and 1.5 ppm) as FeEDDHA and three Zn levels (0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 ppm).

The plants receiving Fe‐chelate, except for 0.25 ppm Fe, showed no symptoms of iron chlorosis. With inorganic Fe treatments, iron chlorosis appeared after 7–10 days depending on P level, but except for 0.25 ppm Fe which remained chlorotic, plants recovered completely within 3–4 days thereafter due to pH regulating mechanism of sunflower under iron stress condition. With both sources of Fe, chlorosis was associated with high P:Fe ratio.

Increased P and Fe levels in nutrient solution resulted in general increases in the dry weights of roots and shoots. The Fe concentration of shoots, except in few instances, was not affected by P levels, indicating that the sunflower cultivar used in this experiment could utilize inorganic Fe as well as Fe‐chelate under our experimental conditions.

Increasing P levels caused significant increases in Mn content of the shoots as 0.25 and 0.75 ppm inorganic Fe³⁺. Increased Fe levels increased shoot Mn content with inorganic Fe and decreased it with Fe‐chelate. The effects of P, Fe and Zn on sunflower indicated an antagonistic effect of Zn on 1.5 ppm Fe for all P levels. Increased Zn levels in nutrient solution generally increased Zn content of the shoots without having any marked effect on their Mn content.     

Book review

Trace elements in plants by M. Ya. Shkolnik

Elsevier Science Publishers P. O. Box 330 1000 AH Amsterdam The Netherlands

Elsevier Science Publishing Company 52 Vanderbilt Ave. New York, New York 10017     

Phosphorus uptake rate and growth characteristics of wheat roots 1

Phosphorus uptake by plant roots is influenced by the plant root properties and solution P supply characteristics. These properties included (i) the relation between nutrient concentration and uptake rate, (ii) the change in uptake rate with plant age and with root age.

Information on the size of nutrient flux values and their change with increasing plant age can be used to determine the nutrient levels needed in the soil to supply nutrients rapidly enough to the root surface to minimize deficiencies. The objective of this research was to determine the relation between plant age and P absorption properties and root growth characteristics of wheat (Triticum vulgare L.) cv. Era.

Wheat was grown for periods up to 42 days in solution culture in a controlled climate chamber. Sequential harvests were made and P uptake and root morphology were measured. Shoot growth was exponential with time to 32 days and linear thereafter. Root dry weights increased linearly with time at a slower rate than shoot dry weights. Root length increased logarithmically with time (r² = 0.95; log y = 0.069x + 1.85).

With increasing plant age there was a reduction in average P uptake rate by wheat roots.     

Sorghum genotype differences in phosphorus uptake rate and distribution in plant parts

Relatively low amounts of the phosphorus (P) added to soils is recovered by plants. Many plants show differences in their ability to take up and use P, but the mechanisms for these differences are not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to determine differences among sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] genotypes for P uptake rates and distribution in plant parts.

Differences in P uptake rates were determined for six sorghum genotypes at 24, 38, and 52 days of age at three P levels. Larger differences were noted among genotypes in 24‐day‐old plants than for older plants. Uptake rates were 6‐ to 14‐times higher (dependent on genotype) in 24‐day‐old plants than in 52‐day‐old plants. NB9040 which had the highest dry matter yield at each age had the lowest rate of P uptake, and CK60‐Korgi which had the lowest dry matter yield at each age had the highest rate of P uptake.

Only small differences were noted among genotypes for distribution of P within plant parts for younger plants. Older plants showed differences in P distribution, and NB9040 translocated more P from lower to upper leaves, had higher efficiency ratios (dry matter produced/unit P), and had a larger root system than CK60‐Korgi.

The sorghum genotypes that produced more dry matter under low P conditions had lower uptake rates of P and had the ability to distribute P from older to younger developing tissues. When grown in soils, plants that have lower P uptake rates, greater ability to distribute P, and larger root systems may not deplete P from soil solutions as rapidly, could explore more soil, and possibly use P more efficiently than plants that do not possess these traits.     

Soil temperature affects element uptake by sorghum

The influence of soil temperature on nutrient accumulation in aerial portions of sorghum plants was evaluated in a greenhouse experiment. Plants were grown in 20‐liter containers at cooled and ambient soil temperatures of 20 and 25C, respectively, and were harvested at the 8‐ and 12‐leaf stages of development for yield and nutrient analysis.

At the 8‐leaf stage, sorghum plants subjected to 25C were significantly higher in concentration of N, P, K, Mg, and Cu, but were significantly lower in Ca. Soil temperature did not significantly affect concentration of Zn, Fe, and Mn. At the 12‐leaf stage, sorghum plants grown in the warm soil temperature treatment were lower in concentration of N, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu than plants grown in the cooled‐soil treatment. Phosphorus showed a negative response to increased temperature.

It was concluded that further research relating element uptake and translocation to temperature is needed. Element accumulation in the roots, stems, leaves, and floral and seed portions of the plant should be included. In addition, the interaction between plant age and element concentration should be studied more thoroughly. Both this study and the published literature indicate that this interaction is significant for many of the elements.     

Incidence of P,Mn and B deficiencies on the levels of the whole and individual flavonoid groups in tomato leaves

Alterations occur in the normal content of total and individual flavonoids with P, Mn and B deficiencies, in tomato leaves.

P and Mn deficiencies do not alter the total flavonoid level. Nevertheless, these deficiencies lead to different contributions of each flavonoid group (flavonols, flavones and flavanones) to the whole content.

B deficiency produces a very significant increase in total flavonoid content. Compounds that contribute the most to this accumulation are flavones.     

Resistance breeding and biocontrol of Striga asiatica (L.) Kuntze in maize: a review

Purpose: The aims of this article are to highlight pre-breeding procedures for identifying primary sources of Striga-resistance genes and to summarize complimentary breeding techniques that enhance partial resistance of maize varieties against Striga species.

Materials and methods: The paper presented a comprehensive account of Striga screening and controlling techniques and highlighted the potential of integrating partial resistance with FOS to boost maize production and productivity in SSA.

Results: Striga infestation is a major constraint to maize production and productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). A lack of Striga-resistant maize varieties and the limited adoption of other control methods hinder effective and integrated control of the parasitic weed in maize and related cereal crops globally. Genetic resistance of maize should be complemented with the use of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. strigea (FOS), a biocontrol agent known to suppress Striga.

Conclusions: A combined use of genetic resistance and FOS has remained largely unutilized in controlling Striga in Africa. A combination of conventional and molecular Striga-resistance breeding tools as well as the use of FOS are promising methods to effectively control Striga in SSA.     

Inoculation treatments affect the migration and colonisation of rhizobia in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) plants

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to characterise the migration and the colonisation dynamics of two different fluorescent-tagged rhizobia in various alfalfa tissues (especially in seeds); and also to develop efficient inoculation treatments to promote colonisation ability of target rhizobia in elite seed varieties.

Materials and methods: Four treatments (root drench, root damaging and drench, root drench with matrine, and flower spray) were applied to inoculate alfalfa with two fluorescent-tagged rhizobia, Ensifer meliloti LZgn5f (gn5f) and Ensifer meliloti 12531f (12531f), at three different growth stages; bud, flower and pod stages. The migration and colonisation dynamics of the two fluorescent tagged rhizobia strains were monitored using UV lamp detection and a stereo fluorescence microscopy.

Results: The results showed that both rhizobia strains mainly colonised the roots and could migrate to aerial tissues. In aerial tissues, when alfalfa plants were inoculated during the bud stage, both rhizobia strains mainly colonised the leaves and stems; during the flower stage, a spray inoculation treatment resulted in more 12531f colonising reproductive tissues, while during the pod stage, more rhizobial strains gn5f colonised seeds using the root drench with matrine treatment.

Conclusions: These results indicate that endophytic rhizobia are natural inhabitants of internal regions of roots, stems, leaves and that the endophytes may arise from reproductive tissues, such as seeds. Understanding the population dynamics of endophytic rhizobia in alfalfa would considerably improve the survival of target rhizobia during seed transfer. Combining target endogenous rhizobial species with good alfalfa seed varieties may lead to the development of a novel breeding method.     

Manganese toxicity in bush bean as affected by concentration of manganese and iron in the nutrient solution

An experiment was conducted to clarify the relationship between Mn toxicity and Fe deficiency in bush snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. ‘Wonder Crop No. 2'). Seedlings were grown in full strength Hoagland No. 2 solution at pH 6.0 for ten days. Six concentrations of Mn as MnCl₂.4H₂O were used in combination with three concentrations of Fe as FeEDTA.

Toxicity symptoms, induced by low levels of Mn (0.1 ppm and above), included: small brown necrotic spots and veinal necrosis on primary leaves; necrosis on primary leaf petioles; interveinal chlorosis, with or without brown necrotic spots, on trifoliate leaves; and brown necrotic spots on stipules. Manganese toxicity symptoms were alleviated or prevented by increasing Fe concentration in the nutrient solution.

Manganese concentration in the leaves increased with increasing Mn and decreased with increasing Fe concentration in the nutrient solution, Iron concentration in the roots increased with increasing Fe concentration in the nutrient solution; however, Fe concentration in the leaves was not significantly affected by increasing Mn concentration in the solution culture. Manganese toxicity symptoms developed when Mn concentration in the leaves reached about 120 ppm.

A decrease in the Fe/Mn ratio in the nutrient solution resulted in a proportionate decrease in that of the leaves. Manganese toxicity symptoms occurred when the Fe/Mn ratio in the solution was 10.0 and below, or when the ratio in the leaves was less than 1.5. The ratio of Fe/Mn in the solution required for optimum growth of ‘Wonder Crop No. 2’ bean, without Mn toxicity symptoms, was in the range of 20.0 to 25.0.

Results indicate that the chlorosis on bush bean leaves induced by excessive Mn in the nutrient solution was due to excessive accumulation of Mn and not to Fe deficiency.     

Sulfur nutrition effects on dinitrogen fixation of seedling alfalfa

Greenhouse experiments with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. cv. ‘Apollo') were performed to evaluate the effect of varied nutrient solution concentrations of S on the yield, nodulation, dinitrogen fixation, N and S concentration, and the partitioning of N and S into shoots and roots.

Sulfur treatments consisted of four levels (0, 1, 2.5, and 25 mg S/L) of added S. The experimental design was a randomized complete block, with three replications. Seeds were inoculated with commercial inoculum, planted in plastic containers of acid‐washed sand, and irrigated with nutrient solution for one minute, at 2 h intervals.

Sulfur application increased the yield of all treatments. The results demonstrated that the addition of 2.5 mg S/L to the nutrient solution, besides providing the highest total dry matter yield (12 g/72 plants), showed the highest percent yield increase (19%), acetylene reduction rate (0.426 umole ethylene/mg nodule dry wt/h), total N content (306 mg/72 plants), percent recovery of S (3.8%), and percent increase in N due to dinitrogen fixation (32%).

N:S ratios obtained were different for shoots and roots, with S application decreasing the N:S ratios. The N:S ratios of 16:1 (shoots), and 9:1 (roots) obtained in the 2.5 mg S/L treatment were found to be adequate for normal growth and development.

These data indicated that the 2.5 mg S/L treatment (2.7 mg total S/L) was optimal for alfalfa seedling development.     

Carbohydrate status in response to ion regulation of two rice varieties (Oryza Sativa L.) grown in saline medium

Two experiments were conducted to test varietal salt tolerance differences in the growth of rice and to identify initial ion‐specific salinity effects on ion regulation and carbohydrate metabolism.

The tillering growth stage of sensitive Giza 35 was more depressed due to high NaCl salinization than tolerant Giza 159. At low external K/Na there were no significant varietal differences in ion regulation. Reducing sugars generally were little affected by salinity. Salinization increased the low sucrose level in shoots of Giza 35 considerably, whereas the high sucrose level of Giza 159 was of little change. KC1 was most stimulative; sulfate had little effect in Giza 35 but decreased sucrose in Giza 159. Salinity Increased shoot starch content more in Giza 35 than in Giza 159, KC1 was most effective, whereas there was no change due to sodium sulfate treatment.

Possible interactions of ion regulation and carbohydrate metabolism in response to varietal salt tolerance of the two rice varieties were discussed. It is assumed that differences within the carbohydrate metabolism contribute to metabolic tolerance of rice varieties when grown in saline environment.     

Effect of nitrogen and sulphur fertilizers and seed inoculation with rhizobium phaseoli on the nitrogen‐sulphur relationships of bean (phaseolus vulgaris L.)

A greenhouse experiment with beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) was performed in order to investigate the effect of nitrogen and sulphur application and seed inoculation on the yield, leaf area, distribution of different nitrogen and sulphur fractions and N/S ratio in shoot, fruit and root.

Inoculation of plants together with nitrogen or sulphur application produces an increase in the concentration of total nitrogen and a decrease in the accumulation of nitrate‐nitrogen and sulphate‐sulphur in shoot, fruit and root. Leaf area increased more with nitrogen than with sulphur application while the highest amounts of fruit dry matter were obtained with sulphur application.

N: S ratios obtained were different according to the part of the plant tested. Sulphur fertilization decreased the N: S ratios in shoot, fruit and root. The data obtained indicate that and adequate N: S ratio can insure maximum production of yield.     

Animal-based organic nutrition can substitute inorganic fertigation in soilless-grown grape tomato

Purpose: In recent years, interest in plant nutrition research has arisen with a strong focus on organic forms. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different organic fertilizers on growth, yield, fruit quality and polyphenol content in soilless grown grape tomatoes under greenhouse conditions.

Materials and methods: Tomato plants were subjected to three organic nutrient solutions, which consisted of different mixtures of several OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) certified nitrogen fertilizers of industrially processed residues: Treatment I: solid and soluble liquid fertilizers of animal raw materials, natural potassium sulphate-non-synthetic, and calcium chloride; Treatment II: solid and soluble liquid fertilizers of animal raw materials, by-product of marine raw material (soluble liquid), natural potassium sulphate-non-synthetic, and calcium chloride; and Treatment III: solid fertilizers of animal raw materials, natural potassium sulphate-non-synthetic, and calcium chloride to 100% [0-30 days after transplanting (DAT)], 125% [31-80 DAT], and 150% [>81 DAT]. The Steiner solution (SS) was used as a control (Treatment IV).

Results: Yield did not differ between organic and conventional treatments, ranging from 3.04 to 3.35 kg m^-2 while fresh weight in organic treatments was 3.14 compared to 3.2 kg m^-2 in plants fed with the SS. No significant differences in plant height or fruit quality were found. The application of organic fertilizers positively affected the total hydrolysable and condensed polyphenols of tomato fruits compared to the control. Twelve phenolic compounds were identified, highlighting 3-Caffeoylquinic acid, salvianolic acid and 5,6-Dihydroxy-7,8,3’,4’-tetramethoxyflavone (Treatment I) and Medioresinol (Lignan) (Treatment II).

Conclusions: The results indicated that organic fertilization through animal-based fertilizer application is a feasible alternative for grape tomato production under greenhouse conditions.     

Volatile losses of sulfur by intact alfalfa plants

An apparatus was developed for the quantitative collection of volatile sulfur compounds released by intact plants and was used to study the effects of leaf temperature and stomatal aperture on the amount and pattern of release.

An air stream sweeps volatiles released by the plants through a water‐cooled condenser system in which the air is dried prior to trapping the volatile sulfur compounds on activated carbon. Tests with ³⁵S‐labelled 1‐butanethiol gave a mean recovery of 95.8 ± 4.3%.

The yield of volatile sulfur compounds increased greatly when air flow rate increased from 1 to 2 1 min^‐1 , but was independent of flow rate over the range 2 to 6 1 min^‐1. About 93% of the trapped activity originated from plant shoots, about 1% from stem bases and roots and about 4% from culture solutions.

Release of volatile sulfur compounds from intact plants followed a diurnal pattern, maximum rates occurring around midday and minimum rates overnight. Maximum rates of release ranged from 30 to 41 ng S g dry weight of shoots^‐1 2 hr ^‐1, while minimum rates ranged from 1.5 to 2.1 ng S g dry weight of shoots^‐1 2hr^‐1. Leaf temperature rather than stomatal aperture seemed to be the major factor controlling rate of release of volatile sulfur compounds. The rate of release was almost doubled by an increase of 7–9°C in leaf temperature.     

Plant growth promoting bacteria increases biomass,effective constituent,and modifies rhizosphere bacterial communities of Panax ginseng

Purpose: The main aim of this study was to introduce and explore plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) indigenous to ginseng, and to evaluate their ability to improve production and quality, and effect on rhizosphere niche in ginseng.

Materials and methods: Endophytic bacteria were isolated from root, stem, and leaf of ginseng from different sites and genotype in China and Korea, screened based on their beneficial properties as PGPB. Nine bacterial isolates were selected according to their plant growth properties including soluble phosphate and potassium, ammonia, auxin and siderophore producing, ACC deaminase, and antagonistic pathogen as well. Changes in ginseng after PGPB inoculation were evaluated with respect to the non-inoculated control.

Results and Conclusions: The PGPB isolates were identified as genera Bacillus, Lysinibacillus, Rhizobium, Stenotrophomonas, Erwinia, Ochrobactrum, Enterobacter and Pantoea based on 16S rRNA sequences. Inoculation of G209 and G119 increased not only plant height, root length, fresh weight, and dry weight, but also root activity and the amount of ginsenosides significantly. In particular, using the Illumina Miseq platform, the native bacterial community of rhizospheric soil maintained high community diversity and increased abundance of specific bacteria. Therefore, they may be play a crucial role in sustainable ginseng cultivating in farmland.     

Distribution of magnesium between chlorophyll and other photosynthetic functions in magnesium deficient “sun”; and “shade”; leaves of poplar

Photosynthesis of attached sun and shade grown leaves of poplar (Populus euramericana (Dode) Guinier cv. ‘Robusta') has been measured at 0.03 and 0.5% CO₂ at light limitation and light saturation. Photosynthetic rates were compared for plants grown at normal and low Mg‐supply and related to leaf Mg content.

Photosynthetic rates at high CO₂ level were affected at Mg concentration lower than about 50 μmoles/g dry leaf tissue at both photosynthetic irradiations. This was paralleled by a decrease in chlorophyll concentration. At a low CO₂ level photosynthesis was affected at the same Mg concentration but the degree of the inhibition was higher. This indicates that synthesis of chlorophyll as well as CO₂ fixation are affected at the same “critical”; Mg concentration.

Shade leaves contain more chlorophyll per unit leaf weight than sun leaves but the percentual‐ decrease of chlorophyll in Mg deficient leaves Is similar for sun and shade leaves at the same Mg leaf concentration. As a consequence, in Mg deficient shade leaves extraordinary high portions of leaf Mg are bound to chlorophyll (up to 57%; in contrast: up to 37% in sun leaves).