Effects of calcium on cadmium uptake and transport in the tree species Gamblea innovans

The effect of calcium (Ca) on cadmium (Cd) accumulation in plants was investigated using Gamblea innovans Sieb. & Zucc., a deciduous tree species that is an accumulator plant for Cd and zinc (Zn). Saplings of G. innovans were grown for 3 months and fed with solutions containing only Ca (+Ca), both Ca and Cd (Ca+Cd), or only Cd (+Cd). The Ca concentration in roots was higher in both treatments containing Cd alone (+Cd) and Ca+Cd compared to roots treated with Ca alone (+Ca). In addition, the Cd concentration in roots was higher in the Ca+Cd treatment than the Cd treatment. This showed that the presence of Ca²⁺ in the rhizosphere relates with Cd uptake into roots. The result that the transport of Cd from roots through stem to leaves was suppressed by Ca treatment indicates that the presence of Ca regulates Cd transport from the roots. A clear correlation between Cd and Zn concentrations in leaves suggests a possibility that the Cd treatment accelerates the transport of Zn into leaves via the same protein transporter in this species.     

Characterizing nicotianamine aminotransferase: Improving its assay system and details of the regulation of its activity by Fe nutrition status

Under iron deficient conditions, graminaceous plants secrete mugineic acid family phytosiderophores (MAs) from their roots to dissolve sparingly soluble iron compounds in the rhizosphere, and take up iron in the form of an Fe³⁺-MAs complex (Takagi 1976). A good correlation has been reported between the tolerance of Fe-deficiency and the amount of secreted MAs (Takagi 1993). Therefore, by using the genes involved in MAs biosynthesis, molecular breeding might produce transgenic plants tolerant to Fe-deficiency with a high level of MAs secretion. The biosynthetic pathway of MAs from L-methionine has been clarified (Fig. 1) and the enzymes participating in this process are now being investigated to isolate the genes responsible. Nicotianamine aminotransferase (NAAT) catalyzes the amino group transfer between nicotianamine (NA) and 2-oxoglutaric acid (Fig. 1). In order to purify NAAT, enzyme assay methods for NAAT have been developed and modified (Shojima et al. 1990; Ohata et al. 1993; Kanazawa et al. 1994). Some characteristics of NAAT have been reported using these enzyme assay methods (Kanazawa et al. 1994, 1995). Here, we further investigate some characteristics of this enzyme to improve the enzyme assay method, namely 1) the effect of K⁺ and Mg²⁺ on NAAT activity in vitro, and 2) the direct influence of MAs, Fe³⁺, and Fe²⁺ on NAAT activity. In addition, based on these results, the induction of enzyme activity by Fe-deficiency and suppression of the activity by Fe-resupply was investigated, by applying the new enzyme assay method.     

Time course study of aluminum-induced callose formation in barley roots as observed by digital microscopy and low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy

To clarify the mechanism(s) involved in the short-term inhibition of root elongation by AI, we monitored the morphological changes of barley roots by digital microscopy. Within 30 min after exposure to 37 µM AI, the surface of the root epidermis in the region of a distance of 1.5 mm from the root tip became rough and began to show signs of damage. After 38 min, callose was rapidly excreted from the junction between the root cap and the root epidermis, and formed a spherical lump approximately 60 µm in diameter. The fine structure of the callose deposits on the root surface was analyzed by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy. After 50 min, there was a significant increase in the callose contents in the distal 0.6 mm part. At the same time, root elongation stopped completely. Fluorescence staining indicated that callose was localized on the surface of the cell elongation area (the elongation zone of primary roots and root hairs), but not on the surface of the meristem. The root growth reduction associated with AI treatment may be due to the use of sugar substrates for callose formation instead of cellulose formation.     

Effect of free-air CO2 enrichment on the storage of carbohydrate fixed at different stages in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Increasing global atmospheric CO₂ concentrations are expected to influence crop production. To investigate the effect on rice (Oryza sativa L.), plants were grown under ambient CO₂ (AMB) or free-air CO₂-enrichment (FACE) at CO₂ concentrations ranged from 275 to 365 μmol mol⁻¹ above AMB. We supplied ¹³CO₂ to the plants at different growth stages so we could examine the contribution of carbohydrate stored during the vegetative stage or newly fixed carbohydrate produced during the grain-filling stage to ear weight at grain maturity. In plants supplied with ¹³C at the panicle-initiation or pre-heading stages, plants grown under FACE had more starch in the stems at heading, but there was no difference in stem ¹³C content. Furthermore, there were no differences between treatments in whole-plant ¹³C contents at heading and grain maturity. In contrast, plants supplied with ¹³C at the grain-filling stage had more ¹³C in the whole plant and the ears at grain maturity under FACE than under AMB, indicating that the increased amount of photosynthate produced at the grain-filling stage under CO₂ enrichment might be effectively stored in the grains. Furthermore, regardless of when the ¹³C was supplied, plants had more ¹³C in starch in the ears at grain maturity under FACE than under AMB. Therefore, CO₂ enrichment appears to promote partitioning of photosynthate produced during both vegetative and grain-filling stages to the grains.     

Increase in Iron and Zinc Concentrations in Rice Grains Via the Introduction of Barley Genes Involved in Phytosiderophore Synthesis

Increasing the iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) concentrations of staple foods, such as rice, could solve Fe and Zn deficiencies, which are two of the most serious nutritional problems affecting humans. Mugineic acid family phytosiderophores (MAs) play a very important role in the uptake of Fe from the soil and Fe transport within the plant in graminaceous plants. To explore the possibility of MAs increasing the Fe concentration in grains, we cultivated three transgenic rice lines possessing barley genome fragments containing genes for MAs synthesis (i.e., HvNAS1, HvNAS1, and HvNAAT-A and HvNAAT-B or IDS3) in a paddy field with Andosol soils. Polished rice seeds with IDS3 inserts had up to 1.40 and 1.35 times higher Fe and Zn concentrations, respectively, compared to non-transgenic rice seeds. Enhanced MAs production due to the introduced barley genes is suggested to be effective for increasing Fe and Zn concentrations in rice grains.     

低锌猪饲料的配合

猪粪中的大量磷、氮会对环境造成污染。一些微量元素,如锌可能导致可耕地严重的金属污染。据报道,当土地中锌含量为10、150、200mg/kg干土时,会抑制稻谷、小麦和萝卜的生长及产量(EnviromentAgency,GovernmentofJapan,1973)。长期使用肉鸡垫草和猪粪会增加土地及牧草的锌含量(Kingery,1994)。一些研究结果表明,猪粪中高锌含量造成植物中毒(Sajwa,1996)。日本政府规定可耕地干土中的锌含量应在120mg/kg以下。商品猪饲料锌含量通常在100mg/kg以上,锌在猪体内的沉积相当少,其表观吸收率几乎可以忽略不计。当日粮锌含量为100mg/kg、日粮表观…     

Soil solution chemistry at different positions on slope in a conifer plantation forest

It is known that soil property varies along the slope. It suggests that soil solution chemistry also differs topographically. To determine the variation in soil solution chemistry within one watershed, soil solution chemistry at the different positions of the slope was investigated. Soil N transformation changed along the slope. NH₄ ⁺ ratio to inorganic N (NH₄ ⁺ + NO₃ ⁻) increased upslope. The tendency was verified by laboratory incubation. After incubation most of the mineralized N was nitrified at the lower part of the slope, while little nitrification occurred at the upper part of the slope. At the ridge and the backslope inorganic N form in soil solution was concomitant with inorganic N form by incubation. At the ridge NH₄ ⁺ was predominant form in soil solution, at that time major anion was sea salt originated Cl⁻. From this, soil solution chemistry seems to be regulated by the external nutrient source at the ridge. In the second year of lysimeter installation NO₃ ⁻ concentration increased in both sites and the ratio of NH₄ ⁺ to inorganic N decreased. It was considered due to the effect of lysimeter installation. The lag time and the magnitude of NO₃ ⁻ increase were different between the ridge and the backslope. It would be related with soil N transformation in pre-disturbance. The influence of disturbance were shown in other solute concentrations of soil solution.     

Polymorphism in promoter region of growth hormone receptor is associated with potential production capacity of insulin‐like growth factor‐1 in pre‐pubertal Holstein heifers

Insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) is one of the important factors for growth, milk production and reproductive functions and mainly released from the liver in response to growth hormone (GH) via GH receptor (GHR) in cattle. Recently, some single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in the bovine GHR gene. Some GHR‐SNPs were shown to be related to plasma IGF‐1 concentration in cattle. Hence, the capacity to IGF‐1 production in the liver might be affected by GHR‐SNP and associated with performance in the future. This study examined whether GHR‐SNP is associated with IGF‐1 production in the liver of pre‐pubertal heifers. In 71 Holstein calves, blood samples for genomic DNA extraction were obtained immediately after birth. To genotype the GHR‐SNPs in the promoter region, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products were digested with restriction enzyme NsiI (cutting sites: AA, AG and GG). All heifers at 4 months of age were intramuscularly injected with 0.4 mg oestradiol benzoate. Blood samples were obtained from the jugular vein just before (0 h) and 24 h after injection. The number of AA, AG and GG at the NsiI site was 0, 17 and 54 respectively. In AG and GG, plasma GH concentrations were higher pre‐injection than 24 h post‐injection (p < 0.01). Moreover, plasma GH concentrations in AG post‐injection were higher than in GG (p < 0.05). In contrast, the GG genotype exhibited higher plasma IGF‐1 concentrations in pre‐injection than post‐injection (p < 0.01), although oestradiol did not change IGF‐1 concentration in the AG genotype. We conclude that the GG polymorphism in the promoter region of GHR is associated with a higher potential capacity of IGF‐1 production in the liver of cattle.     

Estimated stocks of organic carbon in mangrove roots and sediments in Hinchinbrook Channel,Australia

Aboveground and belowground root biomasses (Babove and Broot) were measured for young, isolated Rhizophorastylosa on Iriomote Island, Japan. The relationship between these two parameters was significant and given as the equation, Broot(g dry weight) = 0.394 × Babove(g dry weight) – 485 (r = 0.986). Multiple regression analyses also revealed good correlation between diameter and biomass of prop roots (Dprop and Bprop) and between prop root and root biomasses. Consequently, root biomass could be estimated from the measurements of diameter and biomass of prop roots using the multiple regression equation, Broot(g dry weight) = 80.0 ×Dprop(cm) + 0.86 ×Bprop (g dry weight) – 251. The relationship between DBH (diameter at breast height) and prop root biomass was also adequately described using an allometric equation.In Hinchinbrook Channel, Australia, redox potential (measured as Eh) and organic carbon stocks in the top 5cm of mangrove sediments were measured along a 600m transect from the frequently inundated, Rhizophora dominated zone on the creek edge, towards higher grounds, where Ceriops spp. became increasingly dominant. Eh values were about –60mV near the creek edge and increased to 260mV on higher grounds. Organic carbon stocks showed an opposite trend to Eh, with the values decreasing from about 360tCha–1 to 160tCha–1. At 18 sites, representing six different habitats, organic carbon stocks were also measured along with the DBH of mangrove trees. DBH was converted into aboveground biomass and then into root biomass using the equations obtained in the study on Iriomote Island. The average organic carbon stocks in the top 50 cm of sediments, aboveground biomass and root biomass were 296tCha–1, 123 tCha–1 and 52 tCha–1, respectively, and accounted for 64%, 25% and 11% of the total organic carbon stock.     

Molecular and biological characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chrysanthemum stem necrosis virus</Emphasis> isolates from distinct regions in Japan

Three isolates of Chrysanthemum stem necrosis virus (CSNV) were obtained from chrysanthemum plants in distinct regions of Japan in 2006 and 2007. All the original host plants showed severe necrotic symptoms on the leaves and stems. Amino acid sequence data of the nucleocapsid protein genes of the three isolates (CbCh07A, TcCh07A, and GnCh07S) showed high identities with those of two other CSNV isolates, HiCh06A L1 from Japan and Chry1 from Brazil. Furthermore, for the first time the complete nucleotide sequence of the S RNA was determined for CSNV (isolate HiCh06A). In phylogenetic analysis based on the non-structural protein genes from the genus Tospovirus, HiCh06A L1 was placed in the same genetic group as Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) and Impatiens necrotic spot virus. Host range examination for isolates HiCh06A L1 and CbCh07A showed that green pepper (cv. ‘Kyoyutaka’, ‘Saitamawase’, ‘Tosakatsura’, ‘L3 sarara’ and ‘L3 miogi’) and tomato (cv. ‘Sekaiichitomato’) were systemically susceptible hosts, whereas TSWV-resistant Solanaceae species, Capsicum chinense, Lycopersicon peruvianum and a TSWV-resistant cultivar of green pepper (cv. TSR miogi), were resistant.