Zinc exposure has differential effects on uptake and metabolism of sulfur and nitrogen in Chinese cabbage

Zinc (Zn) is a plant nutrient; however, at elevated levels it rapidly becomes phytotoxic. In order to obtain insight into the physiological background of its toxicity, the impact of elevated Zn²⁺ concentrations (1 to 10 μM) in the root environment on physiological functioning of Chinese cabbage was studied. Exposure of Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis) to elevated Zn²⁺ concentrations (≥ 5 μM) in the root environment resulted in leaf chlorosis and decreased biomass production. The Zn concentrations of the root and shoot increased with the Zn²⁺ concentration up to 68‐fold and 14‐fold, respectively, at 10 μM compared to the control. The concentrations of the other mineral nutrients of the shoot were hardly affected by elevated Zn²⁺ exposure, although in the root both the Cu and Fe concentrations were increased at ≥ 5 µM, whereas the Mn concentration was decreased and the Ca concentration strongly decreased at 10 µM Zn²⁺. The uptake and metabolism of sulfur and nitrogen were differentially affected at ≥ 5 µM Zn²⁺. Zn²⁺ exposure resulted in an increase of sulfate uptake and the activity of the sulfate transporters in the root, and in enhanced total sulfur concentration of the shoot, which could be ascribed partially to an accumulation of sulfate. Moreover, Zn²⁺ exposure resulted in an up to 6.5‐fold increase in water‐soluble non‐protein thiol (and cysteine) concentration of the root. However, nitrate uptake by the root and the nitrate and total nitrogen concentrations of the shoot were decreased upon Zn²⁺ exposure, demonstrating the absence of a mutual regulation of the uptake and metabolism of sulfur and nitrogen at toxic Zn levels. Evidently, elevated Zn²⁺ concentrations in the root environment did not only disturb the uptake, distribution and assimilation of sulfate, it also affected the uptake and metabolism of nitrate in Chinese cabbage.     

IMPACT OF SULFUR FERTILIZATION ON DIFFERENT FORMS AND BALANCE OF SOIL SULFUR AND THE NUTRITION OF WHEAT IN WHEAT-SOYBEAN CROPPING SEQUENCE IN TARAI SOIL

A field experiment was conducted at farmer's field in Mollisols of Tarai soils in Uttarakhand (India), to assess the direct and residual effect of sulfur fertilization in wheat-soybean cropping sequence. Four levels of sulfur (S; 0, 15, 30, and 45 kg ha^?1) were applied to main crop (wheat) along with recommended dose of nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K). The direct and residual effect of sulfur at highest level showed 27 and 6 percent increase in grain yield of wheat and soybean over control, respectively. The increase in grain yield of wheat was significant at each sulfur level. The direct as well as residual effect of sulfur showed significant increase in sulfur concentration and its uptake by grain and straw except increase in sulfur concentration and uptake by soybean straw. In wheat-soybean cropping sequence, the agronomic efficiency and apparent sulfur recovery decreased with increase in levels of sulfur, but the percent response increased with increasing sulfur application. Different forms of sulfur such as total sulfur, organic sulfur, calcium chloride extractable sulfur, potassium dihydrogen phosphate extractable sulfur, and non-sulfate sulfur in post-harvest soil increased according to sulfur level applied but it decreased under control and also after residual crops. The buildup of sulfur in surface soils was greater than in the deeper soils. Application of sulfur showed the positive sulfur balance and it increased with increase in sulfur level, while it was negative under control. A major portion (46–62%) of applied sulfur contributed to increase in sulfur content of root zone soil followed by unaccounted component (25–40%) and small portion (11–18%) was absorbed by wheat plant as uptake.     

Effect of Conditioning Zinc Sulfate Heptahydrate (ZnSHH) with Zinc Oxide (ZnO) and Neem Oil on Growth,Productivity, Zinc Biofortification of Grain and Zinc Uptake by Basmati Rice

Commercial grade zinc (Zn) sulfate hepta hydrate (ZnSHH) is the most widely used source of Zn in India and several other countries for amelioration of Zn deficiency in crops. However, it releases water of hydration at temperature above 30°C and forms lumps on storage, which make it difficult to handle it and apply in fields. Therefore, conditioning of ZnSHH with ZnO and neem oil reduces the release of water of hydration and prevents lumps formation and can be well stored. Field experiments were conducted at the research farm of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India during rice growing seasons (July-November) of 2009 and 2010 to study the effect of conditioning ZnSHH with ZnO and neem oil on growth, productivity and Zn fortification of rice (Oryza sativa) grain and uptake by Basmati rice ‘Pusa 1121’. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with 3 replications comprised of 9 treatments of Zn fertilization. The present study shows that when conditioned with 2% ZnO and 4% neem oil ZnSHH improved yield attributes, grain and straw yields, Zn uptake and partial factor productivity (PFP), agronomic efficiency (AE), recovery efficiency (RE), and physiological efficiency (PE) of Zn in Basmati rice ‘Pusa 1121’. In general, ZnO was inferior to ZnSHH. Application of ZnSHH conditioned with 2% ZnO and 4% neem oil can be a better source of Zn for transplanted puddled Basmati rice on Zn deficient soils.     

两种叶菜类蔬菜对毒死蜱的吸收转移规律

采用水培方法,研究了毒死蜱对两种叶菜类蔬菜菠菜和生菜生长的影响、在不同培养液中的降解速度以及在蔬菜中的吸收和转移规律。结果表明,低浓度毒死蜱（1.0和10.0mg·L^-1）对两种供试蔬菜的生长没有明显影响,但高浓度毒死蜱（100.0mg·L^-1）对两种蔬菜的生长均有一定的影响,而且生菜对毒死蜱较菠菜更为敏感。两种蔬菜均能明显促进毒死蜱在溶液中的降解,在不同溶液中的降解速度如下：菠菜-培养液〉生菜-培养液〉塘水〉培养液。两种供试蔬菜对毒死蜱均有很强的吸收能力,而且具有相似的吸收规律。毒死蜱在菠菜根中达到最大吸收值所需的时间比生菜根所需的时间短,但在茎和叶中所需的时间两种蔬菜相同。     

根表功能细菌生物膜及其在土壤有机污染控制与修复中的潜在应用价值

土壤中的有机污染物可从根系进入植物体内,并可进一步通过食物链富集,从而威胁人群健康。植物根际微生物种类繁多、数量巨大,其中很多根际细菌可通过成膜作用在植物根表形成细菌生物膜,协助植物抵抗外界的不良环境或促进植物生长。有机污染物在被植物根系吸收的过程中,多需经过根表细菌生物膜这一特殊界面。综述了根际细菌在植物根表的成膜作用,以及根表功能细菌生物膜对污染物根际环境过程的影响及作用机理,分析了利用根表功能细菌生物膜调控植物吸收有机污染物的可行性,试图为防治土壤有机污染、降低作物污染风险、保障农产品安全等提供理论依据。     

Soil amendments and seed priming influence nutrients uptake,soil properties,yield and yield components of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in alkali soils

The effects of soil amendments [i.e., control, gypsum, farmyard manure (FYM), and gypsum?+?FYM] and seed priming (i.e., unprimed, seed soaked in water for 10?hr prior to sowing, and seed soaked in 0.4% gypsum solution for 10?hr prior to sowing) were assessed on growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop in alkali soil in northwestern Pakistan. A split plot design was used, keeping priming methods in main plots and soil amendments in sub-plots. The results showed that the effects of soil amendments and seed priming on grain yield, straw yield, harvest index and number of spikes were significant but their interactive effect was non-significant. The highest crop yields and yield index were obtained with gypsum?+?FYM amendments, and seed priming with gypsum solution. The effect on seed emergence, plant height and number of grains per spike was, however, not significant. Grain yield increased by 104% in gypsum?+?FYM treatment over control and by 16.8% with seed primed in water, followed by 8.5% with priming in gypsum solution, as compared to non-priming. The weight of 1000 grains was significantly increased by 35% in gypsum?+?FYM treatment and by 15.8% in gypsum priming. The phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) content increased with soil amendments. Soil pH and gypsum requirement reduced significantly with soil amendments. The blend of gypsum and FYM has improved the properties of salt-affected soil and enhanced fertility for optimum production of wheat in addition to the beneficial effect of seed priming in gypsum solution on crop yield. Using these amendments could be ameliorative in removing the adverse effect of the salt-affected soils, rendering the soil a good medium for plant growth.     

Occurrence of Polycyclic Musks in Sewage Sludge and their Behaviour in Soils and Plants. Part 1: Behaviour of Polycyclic Musks in Sewage Sludge of Different Treatment Plants in Summer and Winter (5 pp)

Background, Aim and Scope   Part 1: Behaviour of Polycyclic Musks in Sewage Sludge of Different Treatment Plants in Summer and Winter Part 2: Investigation of Polycyclic Musks in Soils and Plants -  Preamble. In Part 1 of the study, screening tests were performed to investigate the occurrence of PCMs in sewage sludges. For a preliminary risk assessment, further information is needed about their behaviour in the terrestrial environment. Hence, Part 2 examined the adsorption of PCMs to soil, their dissipation and leaching in soil and their uptake by plants. Background, Aim and Scope   Polycyclic Musks (PCMs) enter the environment via the waste water system. Because of their persistence, they can accumulate in different matrices like sewage sludge or biota. By the use of sewage sludge as a fertilizer, PCMs are transferred to agricultural soils. Therefore, in Part 1 of the study, screening tests were performed to investigate the occurrence of PCMs in sewage sludge. For a preliminary risk assessment, further information is needed about their behaviour in the terrestrial environment. Hence, Part 2 of the study examined the adsorption of PCMs to soil, their dissipation and leaching in soil, and their uptake by plants. Materials and Methods: In the screening study, samples of activated sewage sludge were taken both in summer and in winter at 21 treatment plants. In order to get an overview of the contamination situation, sampling covered different types of treatment plants (in rural, urban, industrial areas). Analytical methods for the determination of HHCB, AHTN, ADBI, ATTN, AHDI and ATII in the sludge samples were developed and applied. Results: The analytical screening of PCMs showed their presence in activated and dried sewage sludge samples. HHCB and AHTN represented about 95% of the PCMs investigated. Their concentrations in the activated sludge samples varied between 2.9 and 10.4 mg/kg dry mass (dm) and 1.1 to 4.2 mg/kg dm, respectively. Although different types of sewage treatment plants were investigated, similar PCM levels were found, showing the widespread input of these compounds into domestic waste water. Discussion: PCM concentrations in activated sludge varied widely. The variation drops substantially when concentrations are related to the varying dry mass. In dehydrated sludge, PCM concentrations were up to 24 mg/kg dm for HHCB and up to 6.9 mg/kg dm for AHTN. These high values are comparable to those obtained in other investigations analysing PCMs. If the degradation of organic mass during anaerobic decomposition is included in the evaluation, the figures obtained are comparable to those for activated sludge. Elimination in sewage sludge was higher in summer than in winter. Therefore, the contamination of the sludges in winter reached higher levels compared to the summer. Conclusions: The results show that PCMs are widespread contaminants in sewage sludge. Recommendations and Perspectives: PCM should be considered in a risk assessment as potential contaminants of sewage sludge destined for agricultural use. Due to the high PCM levels in sewage sludge, further investigations into the degradation and elimination behaviour in sewage sludge have to be carried out, including that involving PCM metabolites such as lactone derivatives.     

不同施氮量对旱地不同品种冬小麦氮素累积、运输和分配的影响

通过田间试验研究了西北旱地4个主要冬小麦品种在不同供氮水平下对氮素的吸收、累积和转移特性。结果表明,增施氮肥显著地促进了小麦地上部分氮素累积总量,子粒氮素累积量在施氮量180.kg/hm2时最高,再增加氮肥用量子粒氮素累积量降低;施氮明显增加了收获时茎秆氮素的残留量。不同品种间氮素累积量差异显著,其中小偃22最高,其后依次为陕253、小偃503和陕229;小偃22的氮肥利用率、氮肥农学效率和氮肥生理效率均高于其它几个小麦品种。不同器官相比,开花前氮素主要累积在叶片中,茎秆的累积量在开花期达到最大。不同部位氮素转移效率为叶片穗茎秆;叶、茎、穗氮素转移效率存在基因型差异。     

盐渍化土壤剖面盐分与养分分布特征及盐分迁移估算

针对盐渍化灌区土壤盐渍化问题,以内蒙古河套灌区下游乌拉特灌域为研究区,通过野外实测与室内试验分析结合,采用冗余分析法探讨了盐渍化改良耕地与荒地春季（4月）和秋季（10月）根层土壤（0～20 cm、20～40 cm）盐分离子与全盐、pH值、养分之间的相关关系,明确了其变化特征与数量关系,并估算了试验区改良耕地和荒地间1 m土体的盐分迁移量。结果表明,改良耕地与荒地土壤阴离子均以Cl^-为主,分别占阴离子总量的45.27%、58.78%,阳离子以Na⁺为主,分别占阳离子总量的60.67%、53.94%。荒地平均全盐含量超过7.0 g/kg,土壤盐渍化程度较重。冗余分析表明,改良耕地土壤全盐含量起主导作用的是SO■、Cl^-、Ca²⁺,荒地土壤全盐含量起主导作用的是Cl^-、Mg²⁺、Na⁺。土壤pH值变化与HCO^-₃有着密切的关系。改良耕地有效磷与Na⁺呈显著负相关（P<0...     

基于支持向量机的土壤主要盐分离子高光谱反演模型

快速、无损、定量地获取土壤盐分离子组成及含量是盐渍化土壤治理、改良和利用的重要依据。以新疆盐渍化土壤为研究对象,应用高光谱分析技术获取不同区域土壤盐分离子的特征光谱,在对光谱数据去噪、数据变换基础上分析了鲜样(T1)、风干(T2)和干燥(T3)3类土壤,过2、1、0.15 mm筛处理对离子含量光谱拟合模型精度的影响,建立了基于支持向量机的土壤主要盐分离子光谱反演模型,并对模型的精度和普适性进行了检验。结果表明:土壤原始特征光谱与盐分离子含量均不存在显著相关性,最大相关系数为Na+的0.41;通过光谱数据变换能够明显增强特征波段与离子含量的相关性,K+、Na+、Mg2+、Ca2+、SO_4~(2-)、Cl-和HCO-3的最优变换形式分别为(lgR)'、(lgR)'、R'、(lgR)'、CR、R'和CR,T1处理构建的拟合模型均不能很好地反演离子含量,T3处理的模型估测精度优于T2,土壤粒径越细对土壤离子含量的光谱反演效果越好。分析各处理模型的决定系数和标准误差表明,经T3处理、过0.15 mm筛所构建的离子拟合模型预测精度最高,其中K~+、Na~+、Ca2+和SO_4~(2-)的RPD分别为2.153、2.674 5、2.051和2.786 4,以未参与建模和检验的石河子垦区土样对4种离子模型的普适性检验,其R2分别为0.621 4、0.689 7、0.614 4和0.650 7,说明构建的模型适于估算该区域土壤K+、Na+、Ca2+和SO_4~(2-)的含量。