Proton release by nodulated roots varies among common bean genotypes (Phaseolus vulgaris) under phosphorus deficiency

Responses of proton release to phosphorus (P) availability by nodulated roots of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were investigated for lines BAT 477 and CocoT, inoculated with Rhizobium tropici CIAT 899 in hydroaeroponic culture under glasshouse conditions. Phosphorus was supplied as KH₂PO₄ at 15 and 60 μmol plant^–1 week^–1 (15P and 60P). Proton release was higher for BAT 477 than for CocoT under both P supplies. However, it was higher for 60P than 15P, whatever the line. The ratio of proton release per unit biomass of nodulated root was higher for BAT 477 than for CocoT, independent of P deficiency. Proton release was correlated with the nodulated‐root respiration for both genotypes and with the nodule respiration linked with nitrogen fixation for CocoT. Thus, the nodulation was more limited by 15P than root and shoot growth and more in CocoT than in BAT 477. It is concluded that independent of symbiotic N₂ fixation, proton release was higher in BAT 477 than in CocoT and that the nodulated legume releases a substantial amount of protons into its rhizosphere that is correlated with its nitrogen fixation that eventually depends upon the nodule permeability to O₂ diffusion.     

Evaluation of nanosilicon dioxide and chitosan on tissue culture of apple under agar-induced osmotic stress

In vitro, applications of nanosilicon dioxide (SiO₂) and chitosan were investigated for their effects on growth and proliferation of apple (Malus domestica Borkh. ‘Gala’) explants under osmotic stress induced by agar to simulate drought stress and under non-stressed conditions. The experiment included five levels of SiO₂ (0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg L^?1), two levels of chitosan (0 and 40 mg L^?1), and two levels of agar (7 g L^?1 and 9 g L^?1) added to Murashige and Skoog medium. Under non-stressed conditions (7 g L^?1 agar), application of SiO₂ at 50 or 100 mg ^?1 increased proliferation of apple explants. Use of 50 or 100 mg L^?1 SiO₂ or 40 mg L^?1 chitosan increased growth of apple explants under osmotic stress (9 g L^?1 agar). This research suggests that use of SiO₂ or chitosan may improve plant growth and tolerance to stress.     

Influence of plant leaf surface on the development,reproduction and life table parameters of the predacious mite, Agistemus exsertus Gonzalez (Acari: Stigmaeidae)

The influence of leaf surfaces of different host plants on the biology and life table parameters of the predacious mite, Agistemus exsertus Gonzalez was studied in the laboratory. A. exsertus successfully developed and reproduced on all tested plant leaves. Smooth, glabrous pear leaves accelerated the development of A. exsertus and showed the shortest mean generation time. Slightly rough, slightly hairy leaves of mulberry and acalypha were the most suitable surface for oviposition of the predator. These leaves exhibited the highest fecundity and net reproductive rate. On the other hand, leaves of rough, pubescent apple and scabrous, bristly lantana were the least suitable surface for oviposition of A. exsertus. They showed the lowest fecundity and net reproductive rate. Acalypha leaves exhibited the highest intrinsic rate of increase for the predator, whereas lantana leaves showed the lowest value. This difference in the predator response to leaf surfaces of host plants should be considered to enhance the role of the predator in biological control programs.     

Effects of mycorrhiza colonization on growth,root exudates,antioxidant activity and photosynthesis trait of cucumber grown in Johnson modified nutrient solution

Mycorrhiza can improve plant growth and increase nutrient uptake. This study was conducted as factorial experiment based on complete random design (CRD) to study effects of mycorrhiza inoculation under limited iron (Fe) condition on antioxidant activity, phenol content and photosynthesis trait of cucumber (Cucumis sativus cv. N3). Treatments were Johnson modified nutrient solution (MNS) with 25% Fe (MNS1) = 0.57 mg/L Fe, 50% (MNS2) = 1.14 mg/L Fe and 100% (MNS3) = 2.3 mg/L Fe and mycorrhiza inoculation (M+) and non-mycorrhiza inoculation (M?) with 3 replications under hydroponic conditions. The results showed that plant growth and shoot phenol content decreased in the MNS1 treatment; whereas phenol content of the root exudates and antioxidant activity significantly increased in this treatment. All photosynthesis attribute increased in the MNS3 treatment. Mycorrhiza inoculation increased plant growth, phenol content, antioxidant activity and photosynthesis trait of cucumber. Also, mycorrhiza inoculation enhanced SPAD value in the MNS2 treatment and photosynthesis rate, transpiration and mesophyll conductance in all the modified nutrient solutions. Moreover, mycorrhiza symbiosis was stimulated by the internal carbon dioxide (CO₂) content of the stomata in the MNS2 and MNS3 treatments. Furthermore, Mycorrhiza inoculation improved phenol content of the shoots and roots in all the nutrient solutions, whereas antioxidant activity was affected by mycorrhiza inoculation only in the MNS2 treatment.     

Study of sex determination system in ship sturgeon, Acipenser nudiventris using meiotic gynogenesis

The sex ratios and sex determination mechanism of gynogenetic diploids of ship sturgeon, Acipenser nudiventris, have been investigated to verify the possibilities of sex control by chromosome manipulation in this species. Meiotic gynogenesis was induced in a female ship sturgeon using cold shock after egg activation with UV-irradiated sperm of a male Siberian sturgeon. Microsatellite DNA analysis was applied for verification of uniparental inheritance in the gynogenetic diploid group of fish. All the analyzed gynogenetic diploids possessed only maternal genotype in the examined experimental group of fish. In this study, a minimum of two distinctly selected diagnostic loci in the offspring was used to confirm exclusively maternal contribution. Also, these fish were analyzed for sex diagnostic. Histological analysis of gonads from gynogenetic diploids, obtained from one family, showed 73.3 % of females and 27.7 % of males. The observed sex ratio has suggested that the ship sturgeon have a female heterogametic sex determination system. Gynogenesis in this species with female heterogametic sex determination system will have important role in breeding program and reclamation of its natural population to produce both female and male progeny, while this species has been introduced in the red list of IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources).     

Effects of mating factors on reproduction and sex-ratio of the predacious miteamblyseius zaheri yous. & el-bor. (acari, phytoseiidae)

Three factors were examined to determine their effect on the reproduction and sex-ratio in the predacious miteAmblyseius zaheri Yousef & El-Borolossy in the laboratory. The factors studied included multiple matings, disturbed mating and age of mating females. Fecundity of females mated more than once was 3 times higher than in females mated only once. Artificial curtailment of copulation to 120, 60 and SO min resulted in reduction of fecundity and oviposition period. The Age of mated females has an influence also on fecundity, old females produce fewer eggs compared with young females under constant condition of abundant prey. All 3 factors studied have no influence on the sex-ratio of the progeny.     

Optimization of Antioxidant Peptides Production from the Mantle of Cuttlefish (Sepia pharaonis) Using RSM and Fractionation

Persian Gulf cuttlefish mantles were hydrolyzed (CPH) using alcalase, and the optimal hydrolysis parameters were obtained for the highest degree of hydrolysis (DH) and strongest antioxidant (based on their ability to quench 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals) activity using response surface methodology (RSM). The predicted optimal parameters of DH and quenching DPPH radicals was: pH of 7.88, 50.2°C, 150 min, and enzyme to substrate ratio of 1.5%. The reducing power (RP) and ability of optimized peptides to quench ABTS radicals in a gastro-intestinal track model system increased during the intestinal stage, while scavenging ability against DPPH radicals dropped (P < 0.05). The oxidation of lipid was retarded in a lecithin-liposome model added with optimized CPH in a concentration dependent response. Ultrafiltration of optimized CPH showed that the 3–10 KDa fraction had the greatest DPPH radical scavenging activity, the 10–30 KDa fraction had the highest reducing power, and the <3 KDa fraction had the greatest ABTS radical scavenging activity.     

Immunolocalization of Na+, K+-ATPase-rich cells in the gill and urinary system of Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus, fry

Localization of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase-rich cells in the gill and urinary system of Acipenser persicus fry was performed through immunofluorescence light microscopy using a mouse monoclonal antibody IgGα₅ raised against the α-subunit of chicken Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase. Different types of epithelia were clearly identified in the gill epithelium: epithelia of branchial arch, interbranchial septum, filament and lamellar epithelium. The Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase-rich cells were found in the epithelia of branchial arch, interbranchial septum, filament, interlamellar region and also in the lamellae. Histologically, the urinary system is divided into head kidney, trunk kidney and short caudal kidney. The head kidney is composed of the pronephric tubules and the haemopoietic tissues, while the trunk kidney is composed of a large number of glomeruli and convoluted nephrons. Each nephron consisted of a large glomerulus and tubules (neck, proximal, distal and collecting tubules) which connected to ureters. Posteriorly, ureters extended and joined together to form a small urinary bladder. In the urinary system, no specific fluorescence staining was observed in the glomerulus, neck segment and proximal tubules. The distal tubule cells and collecting tubule cells showed a strong immunostaining of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase. Epithelia of ureters and urinary bladder also showed several isolated immunofluorescent cells. Immunofluorescent cells were rich in Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase enzyme which is very important for osmoregulation.     

Influence of Phosphate Dissolving Bacteria on the Efficiency of Superphosphate in a Calcareous Soil Cultivated with Vicia faba

In a pot experiment with Vicia faba grown in a calcareous soil and fertilized with three rates on superphosphate, inoculation with phosphate dissolving bacteria (PDB) increased P-uptake and dry weight. The effect of inoculation exceeded that of the fertilization with half of the usual rate. Dry weight and P-uptake of plants grown in inoculated soils receiving one half of the usual rate of superphosphate were higher than those for plants grown in pots receiving the usual rate of superphosphate in the absence of the inoculation. The usual rate of superphosphate in the presence of inoculation doubled both P-uptake and dry weight of Vicia faba. However, one half of the usual rate of superphosphate in the presence of inoculation with PDB increased P-uptake and dry weight of faba plants by one half more than the control.     

Advances in Heterogeneous Photocatalytic Degradation of Phenols and Dyes in Wastewater: A Review

The heterogeneous photocatalytic water purification process has gained wide attention due to its effectiveness in degrading and mineralizing the recalcitrant organic compounds as well as the possibility of utilizing the solar UV and visible light spectrum. This paper aims to review and summarize the recently published works in the field of photocatalytic oxidation of toxic organic compounds such as phenols and dyes, predominant in wastewater effluent. In this review, the effects of various operating parameters on the photocatalytic degradation of phenols and dyes are presented. Recent findings suggested that different parameters, such as type of photocatalyst and composition, light intensity, initial substrate concentration, amount of catalyst, pH of the reaction medium, ionic components in water, solvent types, oxidizing agents/electron acceptors, mode of catalyst application, and calcinations temperature can play an important role on the photocatalytic degradation of organic compounds in water environment. Extensive research has focused on the enhancement of photocatalysis by modification of TiO₂ employing metal, non-metal, and ion doping. Recent advances in TiO₂ photocatalysis for the degradation of various phenols and dyes are also highlighted in this review.