Assessing cadmium availability of contaminated saline-sodic soils as influenced by biochar using the adsorption isotherm models

ABSTRACT

In arid/semi-arid regions, soil salinization, sodification and contamination by heavy metals (HMs) are the main constrains to plant growth, crop production and human health. Biochar can affect soil behaviors, e.g. adsorption of HMs that is one of the most effective techniques for reducing their bioavailability. Effect of three levels (0%, 2% and 4% wt) of sugarcane bagasse-derived biochar and two cadmium (Cd) levels (0 and 50 mg Cd kg^?1 soil as Cd(NO₃)₂) on Cd adsorption of saline, sodic, saline-sodic and normal soils were evaluated through studying adsorption isotherms. Six isotherm models were fitted to the data and the best model were chosen. The maximum Cd adsorption (694 mg kg^?1) obtained in sodic soils without biochar treatment. Cadmium removal decreased when dosage of the applied biochar increased. The minimum Cd removal obtained as 17%, 21%, and 23% in control, 2% and 4% biochar-treated saline soils, respectively. Biochar increased Cd adsorption in salt-affected soils. Increasing pH in soil solution after biochar addition resulted in an increase in net negative surface charge and the affinity of soil particles for Cd adsorption. Consequently, 2% biochar could ameliorate Cd contamination. However, Cd adsorption decreased when dosage of the applied biochar increased from 2% to 4%.     

Antioxidant Role of Oleuropein on Midbrain and Dopaminergic Neurons of Substantia Nigra in Aged Rats

Background: Oleuropein is a phenolic compound which is present in the olive leaf extract. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the neuroprotective effect of oleuropein as an antioxidant agent on the substantia nigra in aged rats. Methods: Twenty 18-month-old Wistar rats (450-550 g) were randomly divided into control and experimental groups. The experimental group received a daily single dose of 50 mg/kg of oleuropein by oral gavage for 6 months. The control group received only distilled water. All rats were sacrificed two hours after the last gavage and the brains were removed and midbrains were cut. One part of the midbrains were homogenized and centrifuged. The tissue supernatant was assayed for lipid peroxidation (LPO) and antioxidant enzyme activities. The other part of midbrains fixed and embedded in paraffin, then processed for Nissl and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. Data was analyzed using SPSS by t-test. Differences were considered significant for P<0.05. Results: The level of LPO in midbrain of the rats was decreased significantly in the experimental group, but superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities were increased in experimental group compared to control group (P<0.05). Morphometric analyses showed significantly that the experimental group had more neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) either in Nissl or IHC staining when compared to control (P<0.05). Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that treatment of the old rats with oleuropein reduces the oxidative damage in SNc by increasing the antioxidant enzyme activities. Key Words: Oleuropein, Aging, Dopaminergic neurons, Substantia nigra     

Assessing levels,trade-offs and synergies of landscape services in the Iranian province of Qazvin: towards sustainable landscapes

Landscape Ecology - Evidence-based knowledge is crucial for place-based knowledge production and learning towards sustainable landscapes through stewardship and integrated spatial planning. We...     

Correction to: Droplet-vitrification cryotherapy and thermotherapy as efficient tools for the eradication of apple chlorotic leaf spot virus and apple stem grooving virus from virus-infected quince in vitro cultures

European Journal of Plant Pathology -     

Mineral Nutrition Of ‘Petopride’ Processing Tomato Under Partial Rootzone Drying

Information is scant on the mineral nutrition of plants undergoing partial rootzone drying (PRD). Researchers applied PRD to ‘Petopride’ tomato in a glasshouse by alternating irrigation to one side of the plant with half of the water in control (C). Roots in PRD treatment had higher magnesium (Mg) and copper (Cu) than C roots. Leaves in PRD treatment had lower P and higher K than C leaves. Minerals in leaves of C and PRD were within literature reported sufficiency ranges. Fruit of the PRD treatment had higher nitrogen (N) and zinc (Zn), but lower phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn) and boron (B) than C fruit. Mineral nutrition of fruit was most affected by PRD compared to that of leaf and root. Fruit of the PRD treatment had a higher incidence of blossom end rot (BER) than C fruit. Incidence of BER notwithstanding, although PRD affected the mineral nutrition of the tomato plant, there was no evidence that the lower yield in PRD was due to poor mineral nutrition.     

Phenotypic diversity and relationships of fruit quality traits in inter-specific almond × peach backcrosses breeding progenies

Nineteen agrochemical traits of 20 almond inter-specific backcrosses progenies were evaluated and compared for three consequence years to find out their phenotypic diversity and determine the relationships of fruit quality traits in almond × peach backcrosses breeding progenies. The variation was observed for traits of phenology parameters (blooming time, ripening time), Physical parameters (fruit weight, width, height, shape, thickness, skin pubescences, colour and flower type), chemical parameters (total sugar content, soluble solids content and acidity) and sensory parameters (attractiveness, taste, and flavor) and yield. Many fruit characteristics that are important to breeders are present in this collection. A high variability was found in the evaluated almond progenies and significant differences were found among them in all studied quality attributes. Year-by-year variations were observed for majority of traits. A significant correlation was found among the fruit height, fruit width, skin pubescences and yield. Fruit height showed a significant positive correlation with fruit weight and fruit thickness and some other traits and a negative correlation with the titratable acidity, skin pubescences and fruit flavour. A high negative correlation was found between the fruit weight and titratable acidity (?0.8). Low coefficients were got between the flower colour and skin pubescences. In addition, principal component analysis it possible to established similar groups of genotypes depending on their quality characteristics and to study relationships among pomological traits in almond progenies evaluated.     

Effects of drought stress and rewatering on antioxidant systems and relative water content in different growth stages of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids

Drought is a problem of the expanding universe which seriously influences crop production and quality. Approximately one-third of the cultivated area of the world suffers from constantly inadequate supplies of water. The present study aimed to determine the effects of drought and rewatering on activities of antioxidant enzymes, chlorophyll, proline, and relative water contents (RWC). In this experiment, six maize hybrids (Sc260, Sc370, Sc500, Sc647, Sc700, and Sc704) were examined in a pot study during the maize-growing season of 2011. Results indicated that the growth of hybrids was retarded under drought stress conditions and regained growth speed during rewatering. RWC, chlorophyll, and carotenoid contents were markedly decreased by the water deficit and reached normal values during rewatering in Sc647, Sc704, and Sc700. Our findings also indicated significantly higher activity levels of peroxidase and catalase and proline content in water-stressed plants than in well-watered plants, which decreased when the plants were rewatered, showing an inverse relationship to gluthatione reductase activity. According to the results, the better upregulation of the protective mechanism in Sc704 and Sc647 probably induced higher drought resistance. We concluded that antioxidant enzyme activity could provide a useful tool for depicting drought tolerance in maize hybrids in arid and semiarid regions.     

西昆仑山2个海拔位点可培养细菌多样性分析

以西昆仑山2个海拔样点的土样为对象,利用（LB和TSA）2种培养基,基于16S rRNA基因序列的系统发育,采用纯培养法对其可培养细菌多样性进行研究。2样点中共分离到91株细菌,分为25个属,52个种。厚壁菌门（Firmicutes）占总菌数的48.75%,放线菌门（Actinobacteria）占36.25%,γ-变...     

Phylogenetic relationships of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis in Iran

Fusarium wilt of melon caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis is a destructive fungal disease in melon growing regions. Isolates of F. oxysporum obtained from six major melon producing provinces in Iran, from melons and other hosts, were characterized based on pathogenicity to melon, vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) and nuclear ribosomal DNA intergenic spacer (IGS) sequencing. Thirty-four of 41 isolates from Iran in this study were identified as race 1,2 which belonged to either VCG 0134 or an unassigned VCG, which based on IGS sequencing grouped with the VCG 0135 tester isolate. The seven remaining isolates were identified as nonpathogenic to melon belonging to two undescribed VCGs. Based on sequence analyses of the IGS region of Iranian and foreign isolates, nine lineages were identified, each including one VCG. The separation of VCGs into distinct lineages based on IGS sequences is mostly consistent with Repetitive extragenic palindromic PCR (Rep-PCR) results. Exceptions are VCGs 0130 and 0131, which could be differentiated with IGS sequences, but not with Rep-PCR. Different races from the USA, France and Iran associated with VCG 0134 grouped into one IGS lineage but could be differentiated with Rep-PCR, suggesting that this VCG is more diverse than previously thought. Given the long history of melon cultivation in Iran and the Rep-PCR diversity of isolates belonging to this VCG, it could be speculated that VCG 0134 perhaps evolved in Iran.     

Reproductive performance of Holstein dairy cows in Iran

The objectives of the present study were to describe the current reproductive parameters of Holstein dairy cows in Iran and to determine factors which have a significant effect on reproductive performance with emphasis on high-producing dairy cows. Five large Holstein dairy herds from the major milk production areas of Iran were selected for this study. Reproduction data including parity of dam, calving date, days to first service, days open, number of services, dry period, and occurrence of diseases for cows that calved from 2004 to 2007 were collected from the herds' databases. To determine the effects of year and season of calving, disease status, level of milk production, and parity of dam on reproductive parameters, the proc-mixed procedure in SAS software was used. Overall, data about 8,204 lactation were collected for the study. Results showed that mean (±SD) days open, calving interval, and days to first service for study herds were 134 (±89), 403 (±86), and 67 (±38) days, respectively. Conception rates at the first service and the overall service-conception rate were 41.6% and 41%, respectively. The level of milk production and diseases had significant negative effects on days open and service per conception (P < 0.05); statistical analysis showed that for every 100-kg increase in milk yield, days open will increase by about 0.3 days. However, no significant effect of level of productivity was observed on days to first service. The results of this study indicate that high milk production is a risk factor for decreasing fertility in Iran, like many other parts of the world.