Response in germination and seedling growth in Phaseolus mungo under salt and drought stress

The effect of salt and drought stress at the water potentials of-2, -4,-6and -8 bars induced by NaCl and PEG 6000 (Polyethylene glycol 6000) each, on germination and early seedling growth, were investigated for two varieties (PU-19 and Type-9). Electrical conductivity (EC) value of the NaCl solutions were 4.5, 8.8, 12.7 and 16.3 dS m(-1). Germination percentage, root and shoot length, and seedling fresh and dry weight were measured in the study. The objective was to determine genotypic differences among P. mungo varieties in terms of salt and drought stress and to determine factors (salt toxicity or osmotic stress due to PEG) inhibiting seed germination. The germination results revealed that the genotypes significantly differed for salt and drought stress. PU-19 appeared to be more tolerant to salt and drought stress comparable to var Type-9. Both NaCl and PEG inhibited germination and seedling growth in both the varieties, but the effects of NaCI compared to PEG was less on germination and seedling growth. All varieties were able to germinate at all NaCl levels without significant decrease in germination, while a drastic decrease in germination was recorded at -6 and -8 bars of PEG. It was concluded that inhibition in germination at equivalent water potential of NaCl and PEG was mainly due to an osmotic effect rather than salt toxicity.     

Seed germination of Cistus creticus L. and Cistus laurifolius L. as influenced by dry-heat, soaking in distilled water and gibberellic acid

The effects of dry-heat and seed soaking in distilled water or in gibberellic acid on germination performance of Cistus creticus L. and C. laurifolius L. were studied in the present study Germination percentages of two Cistus species were low due to dormancy Soaking in distilled water for 24 hr resulted in 28% germination in C. creticus and 43% in C. laurifolius. Gibberellic acid applications (20, 100 and 250 mg l(-1)) for 24 hr gave 32, 30 and 23% germination, respectively in Cistus creticus and 33, 37 and 28% germination, respectively in C. laurifolius. Dry-heat pretreatments at 50, 80 and 100 degrees C for several times (1-60 min) also significantly increased germination percentage in two species. The highest germination in C. creticus was obtained with dry-heat at 100 degrees C for 1 or 5 min (80% and 83%, respectively) and in C. laurifolius at 100 degrees C for 5 min (87%). A significant increase in germination rate was also achieved under different pretreatments. The physiological dormancy caused by an impermeable seed coat can be overcome by dry-heat pretreatments in two Cistus species.     

Seed germination of three provenances of Pinus brutia (Ten.) as influenced by stratification, temperature and water stress

Seeds from three provenances of Pinus brutia were stratified for 0 or 45 d (days) at 4 +/- 1 degrees C and then germinated at 15 degrees C or 20 degrees C on filter paper saturated with polyethylene glycol solutions to provide water potentials of 0, -0.2 and -0.4 MPa (mega Pascal). Regardless of stratification, germination was lower at 15 degrees C than 20 degrees C for seeds of all provenances. Stratification significantly increased germination percentage at all water potentials regardless of the germination temperatures. Lowering the water potential to -0.4 MPa reduced germination for all three provenances in unstratified and stratified seeds when averaged for two temperatures, but reaction to the increased water stress was different among the provenances. Combined over two temperatures, stratified or unstratified seeds from the highest elevation (Cehennemdere) had the lowest germination performance at all water potentials, and stratified and nonstratified seeds from a coastal elevation (Silifke) had the highest germination parameters at the lowest water potential (-0.4 MPa). It might be concluded that seed germination and resistance to water stress vary according to provenance and stratification.     

Impact of osmotic stress on seed germination and seedling growth in black gram (Phaseolus mungo)

An experiment was conducted to see the impact of osmotic stress as it is one of the main cause in various soil and water disorders in agricultural field crops, speciallythe seed germination and seedling growth. The osmotic stress was generated using PEG-6000 and the seed germination, seedling growth were evaluated including the status of pigments i.e. chlorophyll (a, b and total), total carotenoids, pheophytin (a, b and total) and different enzymes like amylase, peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase. The various osmotic potentials generated (-2, -5 and -10 bars) showed significant decrease in germination percentage as at the osmotic potential of -10 bars it was observed 70 in comparison to 90% of control. All the seedling growth parameter also showed inhibition with increase in osmotic potential. Increase in osmotic stress decreased Chlorophyll 'a', while Chlorophyll 'b' was increased in -5 bars while total chlorophyll showed decrease in -5 bars osmotic potential. Total carotenoids and pheophytin (a, b and total) were highly increased in -5 bars and decreased in -10 bars osmotic concentration. Enzymatic activity was found to be decreased in amylase while peroixidase, catalase and SOD were increased at different osmotic gradients in comparison to control. The data observed in the experiment can be helpful to assess the impact of any kind of osmotic stress on plant growth and development in crops.     

Seed germination in response to chemicals: effect of nitrogen and pH in the media

Seed germination generally presents a peak in the next growing season after a fire. Among other factors associated with fire are the increase of soil nitrogen and changes in the pH of the soil. In this study, we addressed the question, whether or not the germination response of eight species is linked with the increase in pH and nitrogenous compounds in the germination media? We assessed the separate and combined effects of nitrogenous compounds and pH on the percentage and rate of germination of seeds of Medicago arabica (L.) Hudson, Epilobium hirsutum L., Foeniculum vulgare Miller, Daucus carota L., Thapsia villosa L., Cynosurus cristatus L., Dactylis glomerata L. and Rumex crispus L. All these species are well represented in the Mediterranean ecosystems of the central-west Spain. Water and CaCl2 were used as controls. Nitrogenous compounds increased percent germination (level) and rate in three of the species studied. High pH negatively affected the germination rate of seeds from most species, but had no effect on the per cent germination of any of the species. The higher concentration of the nutritious solutions affected negatively the germination level and rate. The different germination responses of seeds of the studied species could not be exclusively attributed to pH values in the media, whereas the amount and form of Nitrogen in the media has a greater effect on it. These differences in germination are species dependent.     

添加剂对绿色木霉JQF-04纤维素酶热稳定性的影响

如何提高酶蛋白的热稳定性是分子生物学、微生物学、生化工程学等学科长期所关注的重要研究课题之一.本文研究了多种添加剂对绿色木霉纤维素酶热稳定性的影响.在60℃的溶液中,多元醇(乙二醇、甘油、赤藓糖醇、木糖醇和山梨糖醇)能提高该酶的热稳定性,随着浓度的增加,赤藓糖醇、木糖醇和山梨糖醇促进酶的热稳定性呈线性增高;适当的多元醇分子长度对该酶的热稳定性有最优的保护效应;不同浓度和不同分子量的聚乙二醇对该酶的热稳定性具有明显的影响;在无机盐中,单价金属阳离子比二价金属阳离子更能显著地提高该酶的热稳定性;酶液溶剂的改变直接影响着该酶的热稳定性,该酶在D2O溶液中比在水溶液中稳定,其酶活半衰期延长了2.6倍.研究表明,热环境使酶蛋白分子的螺旋结构发生变化而失活,但某些溶质和溶剂的存在可能通过作用于蛋白质分子的三维结构而影响该酶的热稳定性.图7参15     

Chemical dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from dielectric oils

We studied the chemical dechlorination of the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in some dielectric oils via nucleophilic substitution of the chloro atoms by polyethylene alkoxide. The influence of temperature, ultrasounds, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and base type was investigated. Our findings show that dechlorination of PCBs by chemical treatment is effective at moderate temperature (90–100°C) and is strongly dependent on the nature of matrix oil. Stirring affects the process yield by influencing the homogeneity of the oil/glycol two-phase system. Ultrasounds can improve the process efficiency by making operating conditions less severe. Selected article from the 6th European Meeting on Environmental Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro organized by Prof. Dr. Branimir Jovancicevic ().     

豆科牧草对4种农田常见杂草和水稻化感作用的研究

采用室内生测试验评价了白三叶、紫花苜蓿和毛苕子等3种豆科牧草新鲜茎叶的水浸提液对狗牙根、稗草、马唐和牛筋草等4种农田常见杂草种子萌发和幼苗生长的化感作用。利用盆栽试验研究3种豆科牧草的茎叶按不同比例与土混匀后对水稻秧苗生长的影响。结果表明：供体豆科牧草茎叶的水浸提液对狗牙根、稗草、马唐和牛筋草等的萌发率和幼苗生长均有不同程度的抑制作用,且随着水浸提液质量浓度的增加其抑制作用增强。浸提液质量浓度为0.1 g.mL-1时,毛苕子对稗草种子萌发的抑制作用强于其它3种,抑制率达50.8%;毛苕子对牛筋草幼苗根的抑制作用最强,抑制率达59.9%;白三叶对稗草幼苗茎的抑制率达54.3%。同时将豆科牧草的m（新鲜茎叶）-m（土）为1%和2%时,对水稻的苗高和地上部分的生物量有促进作用,3%时则抑制了水稻的生长。研究表明：施用适量的豆科牧草可以促进水稻生长,同时可有效控制稻田杂草。     

Interaction between water soluble and volatile compounds of Cistus ladanifer L.

Summary. Phytotoxic activity of single and combined application of water soluble and volatile compounds of Cistus ladanifer on germination and early root growth of subterranean clover was investigated. Total germination, lag and speed of germination were both inhibited and stimulated, with the activity of volatiles on total germination depending upon the presence of water solubles. Antagonism between water solubles and volatiles was always found, resulting in a reduction of inhibition or a shift from inhibition to stimulation. It is suggested that the simultaneous presence of water solubles and volatiles might result in changes of the chemical nature of metabolites released by C. ladanifer. Early root growth was always inhibited but only by water solubles, and no interaction was found. The ecological implications of these results are discussed in terms of the exhaustion of competitors seedbanks by a two-step process in which germination is less inhibited or even stimulated by water solubles and volatiles, followed by a stronger and volatiles-independent inhibition of early root growth. Received 13 June 2001; accepted 13 Dezember 2001.     

双负载双金属催化剂催化有机卤化物水相脱卤研究

通过把起相转移作用的聚乙二醇链固载在硅胶上（SiO2-PEG600）,再将聚乙稀吡咯烷酮（PVP）络合双金属Pd-Cu(PVP-PdCl2-CuCl2)后负载其中,制成一种新型双负载双金属水相脱卤催化剂PVP－PdCl2-CuCl2/SiO2-PEG600。以甲酸钠为氢转移试制,在水相中催化有机卤化物脱卤,研究结果表明：反应温度为800℃,Pd∶Cu=2∶1（摩尔比）,反应介质pH≈11.7左右时,该催化剂对芳香氯化物及α－氯代酮、酯具有良好的催化脱氯和重复使用性能。     

Allelopathic potential of Cistus ladanifer chemicals in response to variations of light and temperature

Summary. Earlier studies have demonstrated the allelopathic potential of the exudate of Cistus ladanifer leaves, and have identified the compounds responsible for the effect. It is here shown that the effect of each of these compounds and their interactions on germination and seedling development varies depending on the light and temperature parameters to which they are subjected. The allelochemicals show a fairly heterogeneous response when studied separately, there being no general pattern to the behaviour. When they act conjointly, however, their activity is enhanced by high temperatures, and the greatest phytotoxicity in inhibiting both germination and seedling development is attained with high temperatures and long photoperiods. These results suggest that the environmental factors temperature and photoperiod may alter the allelopathic effect of Cistus ladanifer. Received 5 December 2001; accepted 11 March 2002.     

Prediction of germination rates of weed species: Relationships between germination speed parameters and species traits

In fields, the timing of weed emergence flushes is mostly related to the timing and rate of seed germination, which depend on seed dormancy level, soil temperature and water potential conditions as well as soil tillage and crop sowing date. Seed germination parameters are essential in weed dynamics models to account for the effects of soil conditions on weed demography. Since these parameters are difficult to measure, our objective was to test the possibility of estimating them from easily accessible information. Seed germination parameters (germination lag-time, time to mid-germination and mid-germination rate) were measured or collected from the literature for 25 weed species with contrasted seed characteristics. Correlations were then searched for between these parameters and morphological, chemical and physiological seed traits as well as seed dormancy level. The dormancy level was positively correlated with speed of germination parameters. Earliness of germination was positively correlated with seed lipid content and the seed area to mass ratio. Germination was also earlier and faster in species with a high base temperature for germination. These relationships explained about half the observed variability in germination speed parameters but should be further tested before being used to predict the germination behaviour of weed species in the field in different seasons.     

Highly efficient microwave-assisted one-pot synthesis of 4-aryl-2-aminothiazoles in aqueous medium

The thiazole ring system is one of the most important heterocycles in nature, as it represents an important structural motif of many biological compounds, including vitamin B₁ (Thiamin), carboxylase and penicillin. There is, therefore, an urgent need to design rapid, efficient and environmentally benign protocols for the synthesis of thiazoles. Herein, we have developed a one-pot protocol for the synthesis of 4-aryl-2-aminothiazoles from the reaction of aromatic ketones, NBS (N-Bromosuccinimide) and thioureas under microwave irradiation at 80–85 °C in PEG (polyethylene glycol)-400 and water as a green reaction medium. The products were obtained in 84–89% yields in 28–32 min. The method has several advantages such as use of green solvent, easy work-up, excellent yield and avoiding use of lachrymatric α-haloketones.     

Removal of textile dyes from aqueous solution using PEG based aqueous biphasic system

Aqueous biphasic systems (ABSs) composed of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and salt have been examined for the removal of textile dyes from textile effluent. The partitioning of four dyes namely Cibacron Scarlet LS 2G, Rhodamine B, Brown ERN and Astacryl Red 3B was investigated. All the dyes studied were found to partition into the upper PEG rich layer. Sodium carbonate was found to be the most efficient salt for extraction of dyes. Sodium sulphate was found to be marginally less efficient. Sodium chloride did not cause partitioning at all. Partitioning occurred at all pH and was almost pH independent. The partitioning of these dyes in larger volume (100?mL) ABS was also demonstrated. Studies using dye bath effluent were also conducted. In all cases very high efficiencies consistently above 98% were obtained.     

盐生植物种子萌发的特点及其生理基础

用NaCl和等渗PEG处理8种盐生植物和2种非盐生植物种子。结果表明：NaCl和等渗PEG对所有种子的萌发率都产生抑制作用,而且PEG（对盐生植物）的抑制程度大于等渗NaCl,NaCl对盐生植物萌发的抑制水平随处理时间延长而降低,但对非盐生植物种子萌发率的抑制程度增大到8d以后即不再增大。另外,在0．6MPaNaCl下,随处理时间延长,盐地碱蓬和琐琐种子的α－淀粉酶活性不断提高,SOD活性基本不变,但小麦和大麦种子的α－淀粉酶活性在处理8d后接近最大值,SOD活性显著下降,这些结果说明,影响盐生植物种子萌发率的因素与渗透胁迫,种子内部一些关键酶的活性及萌发过程中大量吸收和积累盐离子等都有关系。图6参19     

不同地理种群紫茎泽兰种子萌发对干旱胁迫的响应

以不同渗透势的PEG(6000)溶液模拟水分胁迫条件,通过相对发芽率、萌发抗旱指数、活力指数3个指标,研究了14个不同地理种群紫茎泽兰(EupatoriumadenophorumSpreng.)的耐旱能力,并采用模糊隶属法用上述3个指标对14个不同种群的耐旱性进行综合评价.结果表明,LP、PZH、YJ种群较为耐旱,耐旱隶属函数总平均值分别0.766、0.689、0.658,SM种群则较为敏感,耐旱隶属函数总平均值为0.065.图2表3参23     

Preparation and application of a phosphorous free and non-nitrogen scale inhibitor in industrial cooling water systems

A novel environmentally friendly type of calcium carbonate, zinc (II) and iron (III) scale inhibitor Acrylic acid- allylpolyethoxy carboxylate copolymer (AA-APEL) was synthesized. The anti-scale property of the AA-APEL toward CaCO₃, zinc (II) and iron (III) in the artificial cooling water was studied through static scale inhibition tests. The observation shows that both calcium carbonate, zinc (II) and iron (III) inhibition increase with increasing the dosage of AA-APEL. The effect on formation of CaCO₃ was investigated with combination of scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis and fourier transform infrared spectrometer, respectively. The results showed that the AA-APEL copolymer not only influenced calcium carbonate crystal morphology and crystal size but also the crystallinity. The crystallization of CaCO₃ in the absence of inhibitor was rhombohedral calcite crystal, whereas a mixture of calcite with vaterite crystals was found in the presence of the AA-APEL copolymer. Inhibition mechanism is proposed that the interactions between calcium or iron ions and polyethylene glycol (PEG) are the fundamental impetus to restrain the formation of the scale in cooling water systems.     

Sorption and mobility of polyethylene glycol (PEG 4000) in tropical soils

Millions of tons of polyethylene glycols (PEGs) are manufactured worldwide and most of them will reach conventional sewage disposal systems after industrial utilization. This raises environmental concerns, but not much is known about the environmental fate of these polymers. The main goals of this research were to evaluate sorption and mobility of PEG in sandier soils of Brazil. PEG 4000 was applied to the soils either freely in solution or as a simulated bioassay residue. The bioassay was prepared to simulate PEG as it is present in the animal feces. It allowed us to compare PEG mobility for both forms of environment disposal. PEG showed very low sorption (<22% of the applied PEG) and high mobility potential (>43% of the applied amount in the free-PEG and >24% of the applied amount in the bioassay-PEG experiment) in the studied soils. When PEG was applied, simulating its supply to animal diets, about 30% of its applied amount was retained into the bioassay residues and its leaching potential was reduced, whereas the remaining amount (about 70%) was readily available in solution and could be directly released into the environment.     

诺氟沙星对芽期玉米的毒性和氧化损伤研究

畜禽养殖废弃物的农田处置,使大量抗生素进入环境,从而对环境生物产生潜在危害.为了研究诺氟沙星(norfloxacin,Nor)对玉米发芽和幼苗生长的影响,采用水培发芽实验,测定了不同浓度下,诺氟沙星对玉米种子的发芽率和玉米幼苗对诺氟沙星的吸收与传输的影响;另外还研究了诺氟沙星对玉米幼苗生物量、自由基水平、丙二醛(MDA)含量、抗氧化酶活性的影响.结果显示,诺氟沙星能被玉米根吸收并传输到地上部分.0.5mg·L-1～50mg·L-1的诺氟沙星暴露均不影响玉米的发芽率.当诺氟沙星浓度大于1mg·L-1时,幼苗的生长受到抑制,其敏感指标依次为根重>根长>芽长>芽重.诺氟沙星暴露使玉米根、芽中MDA含量明显增加,玉米根中谷胱甘肽硫转移酶(GST),过氧化物酶(POD),超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)等抗氧化酶的活度有显著改变,这表明诺氟沙星暴露能够引起玉米体内的氧化损伤.用电子自旋共振结合二级自由基自旋捕获技术测定了玉米根中自由基水平,发现诺氟沙星能够引起玉米根中大量羟基自由基的产生,为诺氟沙星引起玉米幼苗的氧化损伤提供了直接的证据.     

Effects of a dynamic membrane formed with polyethylene glycol on the ultrafiltration of natural organic matter

The formation of a dynamic membrane (DM) was investigated using polyethylene glycol (PEG) (molecular weight of 35000 g/mol, concentration of 1 g/L). Two natural organic matters (NOM), Dongbok Lake NOM (DLNOM) and Suwannee River NOM (SRNOM) were used in the ultrafiltration experiments along with PEG. To evaluate the effects of the DM with PEG on ultrafiltration, various transport experiments were conducted, and the analyses of the NOM in the membrane feed and permeate were performed using high performance size exclusion chromatography, and the effective pore size distribution (effective PSD) and effective molecular weight cut off (effective MWCO) were determined. The advantages of DM formed with PEG can be summarized as follows: (1) PEG interferes with NOM transmission through the ultrafiltration membrane pores by increasing the retention coefficient of NOM in UF membranes, and (2) low removal of NOM by the DM is affected by external factors, such as pressure increases during UF membrane filtration, which decreases the effective PSD and effective MWCO of UF membranes. However, a disadvantage of the DM with PEG was severe flux decline; thus, one must be mindful of both the positive and negative influences of the DM when optimizing the UF performance of the membrane.