Differential Sensitivity of Rice Cultivars to Salinity and Its Relation to Ion Accumulation and Root Tip Structure

Abstract

Effects of NaCl on the growth, ion content, root cap structure and Casparian band development were examined in four rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars with different salt resistance (salt-sensitive indica-type IR 24 and japonica-type Nipponbare and salt-resistant indica-type Nona Bokra and Pokkali). Experiments were conducted to find the differences in salinity resistance during early seedling and developed seedling stages among the cultivars. For salinity treatment, sodium chloride (NaCl) was added to nutrient solution at concentrations of 0, 25 and 50 mM for 7 days from germination to the 7th day (early seedling stage) or from the 7th day to 14th day (developed seedling stage). Growth inhibition by salinity was more prominent in the early seedling stage than in the developed seedling stage. Based on the growth, the order of the sensitivity was IR24 > Nipponbare > Nona Bokra > Pokkali. The growth of NaCl-treated rice cultivars relative to control was significantly and negatively correlated with the Na⁺ content and Na⁺/K⁺ ratio in roots and shoots in both stages. Scanning electron microscopic observation revealed that the root cap tissues proliferated and extended to the basal part of the root tip by salinity. The length of root cap was, however, reduced by 50 mM NaCl in sensitive cultivars due to peeling off. An endodermal Casparian band was formed in the basal region of the root tip. Development of the Casparian band was more prominent in sensitive cultivars than in tolerant cultivars. Root cap proliferation might be related to NaCl resistance in rice seedlings, but the Casparian band may not function efficiently in Na⁺ exclusion. Essentially the present results suggest that exclusion of Na⁺ from roots plays a critical role in expression of Na⁺ resistance in rice seedlings and the root cap is important for Na⁺ exclusion.     

The influence of nitrate and ammonium forms of nitrogen fertilizer on the growth and osmoregulation of digitaria eriantha and Chloris gayana grown under saline conditions

Abstract

Digltaria eriantha and Chloris gayana were grown under controlled conditions for three months and were treated with a nutrient solution containing 150 mMol NaCl and the following nitrogen sources: 25 or 200 mg/l NH₄ ⁺‐N or NO₃ ^?‐N or no nitrogen. The application of nitrogen was found to stimulate growth, i.e. leaf area and dry mass in both grasses, with a greatest growth response to both NH₄ ⁺—N treatments in D. eriantha, and NH₄ ⁺‐N and NO₃ ^?—N treatments in C. gayana. Proline accumulated in both grasses, but this accumulation followed different trends in the two grasses. Soluble sugars (non‐structural) accumulated in the above ground component in D. eriantha, while in C. gayana soluble sugars accumulated predominantly in the roots, possibly as osmotica, or for storage and may thus have been available for regrowth.     

不同锌源对鲫鱼生长、血液指标及骨锌含量的影响

试验旨在研究饲料中添加不同锌源对鲫鱼生长性能、骨锌含量和5'-核苷酸酶和碱性磷酸酶活性的影响,为在水产饲料中合理选择锌源提供科学的参考。试验选用初均重为（3.33±0.22）g/尾的芙蓉鲫180尾,随机分为3个处理,每处理3个重复,每重复20尾。以常规蛋白源设计基础饲料,对照组饲喂基础饲料（93.03 mg/kg Zn）,试验组在基础饲料中分别添加50 mg/kg Zn水平的不同锌源,即分别为一水硫酸锌(硫酸锌组)、碱式氯化锌(碱式氯化锌组)。以天然水库水为水源,在室内桶中饲喂72 d。结果显示：①不同处理组鲫鱼增重率、平均日增重及特定生长率以碱式氯化锌组最高,显著或极显著高于对照组（P<0.05,P<0.01）。而硫酸锌组增重率、特定生长率和铒料系数与对照组相比无显著差异。与硫酸锌组对比,碱式氯化锌组鲫鱼增重率、平均日增重及特定生长率有升高趋势,分别高于硫酸锌组5.38%、3.19%和4.2%（P>0.05）。②碱式氯化锌组鲫鱼血清碱性磷酸酶活力高于硫酸锌组173.02%(P<0.05),5'-核苷酸酶活力高于硫酸锌组59.41%（P<0.05）。③碱式氯化锌组鲫鱼脊椎骨微量元素锌的含量比硫酸锌组高8.64%,比对照组提高了15.66%。以上结果说明,碱式氯化锌是一种比硫酸锌生物效价更高的营养性锌源,更有利于提高鲫鱼的生产性能。     

Effect of sodium chloride on gluten network formation,dough microstructure and rheology in relation to breadmaking

Sodium chloride (NaCl) is an essential ingredient to control the functional properties of wheat dough and bread quality. This study investigated the effect of NaCl at 0, 1 and 2%, (w/w, flour base) on the gluten network formation during dough development, the dough rheology, and the baking characteristics of two commercial flours containing different levels of protein (9.0 and 13.5%) and with different glutenin-to-gliadin ratios. Examination of the dough structure by confocal microscopy at different stages of mixing show that the gluten network formation was delayed and the formation of elongated fibril protein structure at the end of dough development when NaCl was used. The fibril structure of protein influenced the dough strength, as determined by strain hardening coefficient and hardening index obtained from the large deformation extension measurements. NaCl had a greater effect on enhancing the strength of dough prepared from the low protein flour compared to those from the high protein flour. The effect of NaCl on loaf volume and crumb structure of bread followed a similar trend. These results indicate that the effect of NaCl on dough strength and bread quality may be partially compensated by choosing flour with an appropriate amount and quality of gluten protein.     

Effects of Ammonium Chloride Fertilizer and its Application Stage on Cadmium Concentrations in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Grain

Abstract

Chloride (Cl) in saline soil increases the cadmium (Cd) concentration in crops. Here, we conducted a field experiment to investigate changes in Cd concentrations in wheat grain after the application of the Cl-containing fertilizer ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl), with the aim of reducing its potential health risk. Effects of the application stage of NH₄Cl fertilizer and leaching treatment (i.e., heavy rainfall) were also investigated in field and pot experiments. Both field and pot experiments showed that the Cd concentration of wheat grain was higher with NH₄Cl fertilizer than with ammonium sulfate or urea fertilizers. Grain Cd concentration in wheat fertilized with NH₄Cl at the tillering–jointing and flowering stages in the field experiment was 0.223 mg kg^–1, which was about 1.5 times higher than that fertilized with urea. This finding is important because, in Japan, compound fertilizers containing NH₄Cl are commonly used in fields for wheat cultivation. NH₄Cl fertilizer application at the tillering–jointing and flowering stages had nearly equal effects on the Cd concentration in wheat grain. Basal dressing with NH₄Cl fertilizer increased Cd concentrations in wheat grain to a greater extent than topdressing (at thetillering–jointing and flowering stage applications) in a pot experiment that was protected from rain. Leaching treatment (assuming two lots of 100 mm rainfall) negated the effect of NH₄Cl fertilizer application on Cd concentration in wheat grain. We recommend the use of ammonium sulfate or urea preferentially as the nitrogen fertilizer because heavy rainfall rarely occurs during this period in Japan.     

银杏幼胚离体诱导培养技术研究

该试验以银杏幼胚作为外植体,以0.1％HgCl2 溶液作为消毒剂,设置消毒时间为 6min、8min、10min 三个配比,采用4 种不同配比的诱导培养基配方对银杏幼胚进行诱导培养研 究。通过比较不同消毒时间下银杏幼胚的成活率、萌发率、污染率,及不同诱导培养基上银杏幼 胚萌发成苗的生长状态,最后结果得出:幼胚使用0.1％HgCl2 消毒8min 最佳;MS＋1.0 mg· L-1 6-BA＋1.0mg·L-1 NAA 配方最有利于银杏幼胚诱导。     

Sulfur metabolism in Allium cepa is hardly affected by chloride and sulfate salinity

Salinity as a major agricultural problem can affect crop growth and quality. Onion (Allium cepa L.) plant contains a wide variety of sulfur-containing compounds which may be involved in plant protection against salt stress. In the current study, a similar reduction in growth caused by chloride and sulfate salts was observed when onion was exposed to equimolar concentrations of Na⁺. Also, no difference was observed for shoot/root ratio and dry matter content of roots and shoots. Plants accumulated Na⁺ and the respective anions (chloride and sulfate) which in turn caused changes in the content of other nutrients. The content of potassium and calcium was decreased more than the other elements by both sodium salts. Sulfate salinity resulted in substantial increase in total sulfur and sulfate content but chloride salinity affected neither the total sulfur nor sulfate content of the roots and shoots, only in onion exposed to 200 mM chloride salt, those of roots and shoots were reduced. Furthermore, the water-soluble non-protein thiol content as well as the content of alliin remained rather unaffected. In conclusion, either salts affected the uptake and distribution of sulfate in onion, but had no or only a minor effect on the plant sulfur metabolism.     

The effect of four calcium‐based amendments on soil aggregate stability of two sandy topsoils

The structural stability of soil is a physical characteristic that affects soil degradation processes. Calcium‐based amendments, such as calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, and calcium oxide/hydroxide, have been shown to improve the stability of soil aggregates. This study seeks to determine which calcium‐based soil amendments, and at what concentration, are the most efficient in improving aggregate stability of sandy topsoils derived from granitic and metamorphic parent materials, and to analyze the mechanisms involved. In the pot experiment, soils amended with CaCO₃, CaCl₂, and CaSO₄ did not present significant differences in aggregate stability compared to the control or among each other. In contrast, Ca(OH)₂ soil amendment brought the greatest stability to the soil aggregates. A dose of 1% Ca(OH)₂ significantly increased the stability of soil aggregates. This effect is due to the reaction of Ca(OH)₂ with atmospheric CO₂ which leads to the formation of CaCO₃, a delayed reaction not showed by the other soil amendments tested. Likewise, the greater solubility of Ca(OH)₂ compared to CaCO₃ exerts a greater aggregation effect on soil. Thus, the mechanism of action of Ca(OH)₂ is related to cementation, rather than flocculation. Future studies should be carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of Ca(OH)₂ under field conditions.     

Gelation characteristics of Mesona chinensis polysaccharide-maize starches gels: Influences of KCl and NaCl

An investigation was conducted into the effects of potassium chloride (KCl) and sodium chloride (NaCl) on the gelation properties of maize starch-Mesona chinensis polysaccharide (MCP) gels. Waxy maize starch (WS), normal maize starch (NS), and high amylose maize starch (HS) were used to compare the effects of different amylose contents on the gel properties of maize starch-MCP gels. The results showed that KCl and NaCl have similar effects on the gelation, rheological, and structural properties of maize starch-MCP gels. The addition of KCl and NaCl increased the pasting viscosity, breakdown values, setback values, dynamic modulus, and apparent viscosity of maize starch-MCP gels, especially for HS-MCP gels. LF-NMR (Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance) showed that salts reduced bound water content while increasing the free water content of maize starch-MCP gels. CLSM (Confocal laser scanning microscopy) results also indicated that salt can restrict the expansion and maintain the integrity of starch granules, especially for WS-MCP gels.