ALLEVIATION OF CADMIUM-TOXICITY BY APPLICATION OF ZINC AND ASCORBIC ACID IN BARLEY

ABSTRACT

Effect of cadmium (Cd) on biomass accumulation and physiological activity and alleviation of Cd-toxicity by application of zinc (Zn) and ascorbic acid in barley was studied, using semisolid medium culture including 15 treatments [four Cd concentration treatments: 0.1, 1, 5, 50?µmol?L^?1, four treatments with addition of 300?µmol?L^?1 Zn or 250?mg?L^?1 ascorbic acid (ASA) based on these four Cd concentrations, respectively, and three controls: basic nutrient medium, and with Zn or ASA, respectively]. Cadmium addition to semisolid medium, at a concentration of 1, 5, and 50?µmol?L^?1, inhibited biomass accumulation and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content of barley plants, while the addition of 0.1?µmol?L^?1 Cd increased slightly dry mass. There was a tendency to a decrease in Zn, copper (Cu) concentrations both in shoots and roots and iron (Fe) in shoots of barley plants exposed to 1 to 50?µmol?L^?1 Cd. In addition, there were indications of a stress repose characterized by increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities relative to plants not subjected to Cd. The physiological changes caused by Cd toxicity could be alleviated to different extent by application of 300?µmol?L^?1 Zn or 250?mg?L^?1 ASA in Cd stressed plants. The most pronounced effects of adding Zn or ASA in Cd stressed medium were expressed in the decreased MDA and increased biomass accumulation, e.g., MDA contents were reduced (p≤0.01) by 4.8%–17.8% in shoots and 0.5%–19.7% in roots by adding 300?µmol?L^?1 Zn, in 50?µmol?L^?1 Cd stressed plants, and by 1.3%–7.4% in shoots and 2.6%–4.5% in roots by application of 250?µmol?L^?1 ASA, respectively. However, ASA addition may enhance Cd translation from root to shoot, accordingly, ASA would be unsuitable for the edible crops grown in Cd contaminated soils to alleviate phytotoxicity of Cd.     

60Co-γ辐射及PEG胁迫对桑树幼苗生理特性和相关基因表达的影响

为了探究不同剂量⁶⁰Co-γ辐射和聚乙二醇(PEG)胁迫对桑树幼苗生理特性的影响,筛选有助于增强桑树抗旱性的辐射剂量,以桑树品种桂优12号为试验材料,对种子进行不同剂量(0、100、200、300、400 Gy)⁶⁰Co-γ辐射,用10% PEG模拟干旱胁迫,测定胁迫下桑树幼苗叶片和根部质膜相对透性,丙二醛(MDA)含量,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性,可溶性蛋白和脯氨酸含量,分析氧化物酶基因POD1、超氧化物歧化酶基因sodC和脯氨酸合成关键酶吡咯啉-5-羧酸合成酶基因P5CS的表达水平。结果表明,低剂量⁶⁰Co-γ辐射(≤200 Gy)能够降低桑树幼苗叶片和根中质膜相对透性和MDA含量,提高SOD、POD、CAT活性,增加可溶性蛋白、脯氨酸含量,POD1、sodC、P5CS表达上调,桑树幼苗抗旱性提高;而高剂量⁶⁰Co-γ辐射(≥300 Gy)则加剧了胁迫伤害。综合分析,以200 Gy⁶⁰Co-γ辐射的种子抗旱性最强。本研究为桑树旱地栽培及育种提供了理论参考。     

Hydraulic energy indices reveal spatial dependence in a subtropical soil under maize crop in Southern Brazil

Soil physical quality (SPQ) assessment is an important part in the evaluation of soil use, management, and conservation. It can be assessed using several physical properties, hydraulic indices, and functions. Soils from tropical and temperate regions represent different physical behaviors, and the quantification of their physical properties is important to support soil evaluation and modelling. The objective of this study was to evaluate the SPQ in a subtropical field under maize crop cultivation according to its physical properties, hydraulic indices, and functions in an attempt to infer the spatial variability and to determine the behavior of soil physical structure across a spatial domain. Commonly used soil key physical variables, such as texture, bulk density, total porosity, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and organic carbon content, were measured in a regular grid with a soil sampling density of 30 points per hectare, covering an area of 0.5 ha. Saturated hydraulic conductivity varied strongly between subsamples and in the field, suggesting the heterogeneity of the soil structure regarding water drainage. The physical variables were combined with other indicators, which were based on the soil water retention curve and the pore size distribution (PSD) function. Correlation analysis was performed to verify the relationship between the measured and calculated variables, and some strong linear correlations were revealed, such as between aeration energy index and microporosity (r = 0.608) and water retention energy index with microporosity (r = 0.532) and with bulk density (r = 0.541). For most sampled locations, the shape and location parameters of PSD showed results outside of the optimum ranges, whereas the hydraulic energy indices and cumulative hydraulic energy functions presented values that were similar to those found for some tropical soils described in the literature. The spatial variability of these indices was described using semivariograms and kriged maps, indicating the variability of the SPQ in this field.     

The effect of spectral composition and light intensity on melatonin, stress and retinal damage in post-smolt Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar

Metal halide lights are currently used as standard in commercial Atlantic salmon sea cages as a means of enhancing productivity through grilse inhibition. However, such systems create bright point light sources that are neither environment specific nor species specific and could potentially compromise fish welfare. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are a new form of lighting technology currently being developed for the fish farming industry that can be tuned to environment and species sensitivities through narrow bandwidth outputs. However, prior to implementing these new high energy alternatives, any potential adverse effects must be determined in fish. The objectives of this study were thus (1) to determine the effect of increasing intensities of blue LED light (0.199–2.7 W m^− 2, at 0.1 m from the light source) on light perception and stress response, and (2) to examine potential retinal damage under these conditions in post-smolt Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar. A white LED light was also tested, as well as a very high intensity metal halide positive control. Results demonstrated firstly that salmon perceived blue LED light (basal melatonin levels maintained) irrespective of intensity. Secondly, fish exposed to high intensity blue LED light showed an increase in plasma cortisol and glucose levels within 3 h, returning to a basal state 24 h post-light onset. This typical acute stress response was not observed in fish exposed to the white LED light and lower blue light intensities which could indicate differential sensitivities to spectral content of the light. No effects on the non-specific immune system (lysozyme activity) were observed. Finally, extensive histological examination of the retina from fish exposed to these various light treatments revealed no signs of damage. This demonstrates the efficiency of the adaptive mechanisms to light developed in fish.     

Developmental rates,structural asymmetry,and metabolic fingerprints of steelhead trout (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus mykiss</Emphasis>) eggs incubated at two temperatures

Temperature stress on developing steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was evaluated using asymmetry of skeletal characters, fish condition factor, and metabolic fingerprints. Eggs from three female hatchery steelhead were fertilized by a single male. The eggs from each female were divided into two groups and incubated at either 8°C or 18°C. Mortality, growth, and condition factor were measured at stage 6 (32 cells), stage 20 (eyed), and stage 21 (caudal flexing). In addition, ¹H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was used to establish metabolic fingerprints of developing eggs at the three stages. After hatching, all alevins were moved to tanks at 18°C and allowed to develop to 60 days post-emergence (DPE), at which point they were examined for structural asymmetry. Eggs incubated at 18°C experienced higher mortality, with all eggs from one hen dying at the higher temperature. Eggs incubated at the higher temperature that did survive hatched as larger larval fish than eggs incubated at the lower temperature. Fish incubated at the higher temperature exhibited greater structural asymmetry than fish incubated at the lower temperature. A principle components (PC) analysis of the metabolic fingerprints indicated that PC1 and PC2 accounted for 60% of the variance in the metabolites. Separation along PC1 corresponded to differences in developmental stage, and separation along PC2 corresponded to differences in hen. Eggs incubated at 18°C lagged behind eggs incubated at 8°C along PC1, indicating a potential problem with embryo staging. PC1 scores were highly correlated with the accumulated thermal units during development, indicating that scores along PC1 were a robust measure of developmental stage.     

Cortisol and hematological response in Brazilian codling, Urophycis brasiliensis (Pisces, Phycidae) subjected to anesthetic treatment

The effects of benzocaine anesthesia on hematological parameters (erythrocyte and platelet number, hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit), plasma electrolytes (Na⁺, K⁺ and Cl⁻), cortisol, glucose and cholesterol levels in Brazilian codling (Urophycis brasilensis) exposed to a benzocaine bath solution were investigated. Cortisol and glucose levels 1 h after capture from the wild and on days 7 and 14 during the acclimatization period (20 days) were also determined. During the second week, cortisol levels reached to basal values (9 ng ml⁻¹). The use of benzocaine causes a significant increase in the erythrocyte number, in the concentration of hemoglobin and sodium and a decrease in chloride. Plasma cortisol and cholesterol levels were higher in fish exposed to the anesthetic, and glucose levels decreased significantly comparing with the control group, showing strong fluctuations between individuals in all the cases. These results show that the use of benzocaine causes an acute stress response that could be reverted quickly and it has to be considered during the evaluation of stress in fish.     

Effects of capture,loading density and transport stress on the mortality,physiological responses,bacterial density and growth of rohu <Emphasis Type="Italic">Labeo</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic"> rohita</Emphasis> fingerlings

This study evaluated the effects of three levels of loading density (200, 300 and 400 g L⁻¹) and four levels of duration (1, 3, 6 and 9 h) on the mortality, plasma cortisol and chloride levels and growth of rohu Labeo rohita fingerlings in a transport simulation. While total immediate mortality was low (4–12%), delayed mortality was high (27–49%). Initial capture and handling were found to constitute the most stressful phase as indicated by elevated plasma cortisol. The levels of cortisol continued to rise at 6 and 9 h after transport, with the highest level observed at 9 h after transport. The level of plasma chloride fell after transport across all density levels and treatment durations. Specific growth rate (SGR, %/day) and total bacterial density (cfu/g) were not different between and within treatments, and between treatments and the controls. This study demonstrates that transport has a profound effect on the stress responses of rohu fingerlings. Although the level of immediate mortality was low, the higher level of delayed mortality has serious implications in terms of production inefficiency for grow-out farmers.     

Stocking density and cohort sampling effects on endocrine interactions in rainbow trout

Studies were conducted to explore the effect of cohort sampling and stocking density on the interactions between plasma growth hormone (GH), thyroid hormone and cortisol concentrations in rainbow trout. Depending on the experimental design, plasma GH concentrations were either suppressed, or elevated by sequential removal of cohorts from the holding aquarium. Since plasma cortisol concentrations consistently increased during cohort sampling, regardless of experimental design, it would appear that the apparent correlation (direct or inverse) is the result of concomitant changes, i.e. not necessarily a cause-effect relationship. Plasma GH concentrations of rainbow trout were not correlated with eviscerated body weight.Trout stocked at 150 kg m^–3 exhibited a significantly lower mean growth rate, hepatosomatic index, hepatic lipid reserve, plasma triiodo-l-thyronine (T₃) concentration andin vitro hepatic T₃ production than trout stocked at 60 kg m^–3. These observations are consistent with the former group being food deprived or ration restricted. Stocking density appeared to have no effect on plasma GH or cortisol concentrations, or on the pituitary-interrenal axis response to stressor challenge, or the thyroid tissue response to exogenous TSH challenge.     

枯草芽孢杆菌对氨氮胁迫下半滑舌鳎非特异性免疫酶活性、血液生化指标及相关基因表达量的影响

为探究益生菌对氨氮胁迫下半滑舌鳎的非特异性免疫酶活、血液生化指标及相关基因表达是否具有调节作用,实验首先选用枯草芽孢杆菌Y2益生菌对半滑舌鳎进行饲喂,然后对半滑舌鳎进行氨氮胁迫,胁迫过程中持续饲喂Y2并对相关指标进行监测。其中宏观生长指标结果显示,氨氮胁迫组半滑舌鳎体质量、体长低于非氨氮胁迫组,在氨氮胁迫及非氨氮胁迫条件下Y2组舌鳎体质量、体长高于空白对照组。免疫酶活测定结果显示,氨氮胁迫后半滑舌鳎血清过氧化氢酶(CAT)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、过氧化物酶(POD)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)活性均有所升高;在氨氮胁迫及非氨氮胁迫条件下饲喂Y2菌株的2组ACP、CAT和POD活性均高于其相应对空白照组。血液相关生化指标结果显示,非氨氮胁迫Y2组半滑舌鳎血清中白蛋白(ALB)和球蛋白(GLB)含量略高于空白对照组,白蛋白与球蛋白比值(A/G)较高,甘油三酯(TG)、胆固醇(CHO)含量差异较小;氨氮胁迫对照组舌鳎血清中ALB、CHO含量下降,GLB含量略有升高,血清中总蛋白(TP)及总脂肪呈下降趋势,且A/G降低,而氨氮胁迫Y2组比空白组舌鳎血清中ALB、TG及CHO含量升高,导致A/G升高。...