Mechanisms of silicon-mediated alleviation of abiotic stresses in higher plants: a review

Although silicon (Si) is the second most abundant element both on the surface of the Earth's crust and in soils, it has not yet been listed among the essential elements for higher plants. However, the beneficial role of Si in stimulating the growth and development of many plant species has been generally recognized. Silicon is known to effectively mitigate various abiotic stresses such as manganese, aluminum and heavy metal toxicities, and salinity, drought, chilling and freezing stresses. However, mechanisms of Si-mediated alleviation of abiotic stresses remain poorly understood. The key mechanisms of Si-mediated alleviation of abiotic stresses in higher plants include: (1) stimulation of antioxidant systems in plants, (2) complexation or co-precipitation of toxic metal ions with Si, (3) immobilization of toxic metal ions in growth media, (4) uptake processes, and (5) compartmentation of metal ions within plants. Future research needs for Si-mediated alleviation of abiotic stresses are also discussed.     

Effect of Si-rich substances on phosphorous adsorption by sandy soils

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The poor adsorption capacity of sandy soils is one of the primary reasons of a high level of phosphorus (P) leaching. Silicon (Si)-rich soil...     

Revisiting the plant hyperaccumulation criteria to rare plants and earth abundant elements

The several established criteria to define a hyperaccumulator plant were applied to a rare and endangered species, Plantago almogravensis, and to the 3rd most abundant element in the earth crust, Al. Using the most common criteria, P. almogravensis undoubtedly is an Al hyperaccumulator plant. If the recent proposed requirements were considered, most of them matching those for a plant to be used in phytoextraction, it can only be considered an unusual accumulator of Al. A discussion is made concerning the several criteria of a hyperaccumulator plant in order to include rare and endemic ones and abundant elements. In ecological terms, the enrichment in Al and Fe observed may account for the differences in the vegetation pattern. Due to the rarity and endangered nature of this plant, the contribution of this work is also relevant for the ecological understanding and the development of conservation options of this endemic species.     

进水碳负荷浓度对垂直潜流式人工湿地中植物根系微生物动态的影响

植物的不同生长发育阶段是影响根系微生物功能多样性的原因之一。植物的生长改变了微生物的群落结构。在低有机负荷或高有机负荷下,植物幼苗与成苗根系的微生物整体活性均差异明显,一般成苗期具有较高AWCD值。有植物湿地中微生物Simpson和Mcintosh多样性指数在植物成苗期均明显高于幼苗期(P0.05),但Shannon指数变化不明显(P0.05)。无植物湿地中微生物Simpson和Mcintosh指数受季节影响差异显著(P0.05)。主成分和聚类分析结果表明,不同生长发育阶段其微生物种类存在差异,而且不同进水条件下有植物湿地和无植物湿地各自有相似的微生物群体结构。     

Plant–bacteria partnerships for the remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soils

Plant–bacteria partnerships have been extensively studied and applied to improve crop yield. In addition to their application in agriculture, a promising field to exploit plant–bacteria partnerships is the remediation of soil and water polluted with hydrocarbons. Application of effective plant–bacteria partnerships for the remediation of hydrocarbons depend mainly on the presence and metabolic activities of plant associated rhizo- and endophytic bacteria possessing specific genes required for the degradation of hydrocarbon pollutants. Plants and their associated bacteria interact with each other whereby plant supplies the bacteria with a special carbon source that stimulates the bacteria to degrade organic contaminants in the soil. In return, plant associated-bacteria can support their host plant to overcome contaminated-induced stress responses, and improve plant growth and development. In addition, plants further get benefits from their associated-bacteria possessing hydrocarbon-degradation potential, leading to enhanced hydrocarbon mineralization and lowering of both phytotoxicity and evapotranspiration of volatile hydrocarbons. A better understanding of plant–bacteria partnerships could be exploited to enhance the remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soils in conjunction with sustainable production of non-food crops for biomass and biofuel production.     

Application of plant carbon source for denitrification by constructed wetland and bioreactor: review of recent development

Water quality standard for nitrate becomes more and more strict, and the plant carbon source is widely used for denitrification by constructed wetland (CW) and bioreactor. However, the nitrate removal efficiency by different types of plant carbon source are not evaluated comprehensively. Denitrification performance of different plant carbon sources, and the influence of dosing method and pretreatment are thoroughly reviewed in this paper, which aims to investigate the accurate utilization of plant carbon source for nitrogen (as nitrate) removal. It is concluded that plant carbon source addition for all types of CWs and bioreactors can improve the nitrate removal efficiency to some extent, and the dosing method of plant carbon source for denitrification should be further studied and optimized in the future. The popular carbon sources for CW and bioreactor denitrification enhancement are woodchip, chopped macrophytes, crop plants, macrophytes litters, etc. The recommended optimum C:N ratios for CW and bioreactor are 4.0:5.0 and 1.8:3.0, respectively. The physical and biological pretreatments are selected to supply organic carbon for long-term denitrification.     

Entry and Movement in Vegetation of Lead Derived From Air and Soil Sources

The body of information presented in this paper is directed to individuals concerned with the state of our knowledge on lead uptake and translocation by plants and its subsequent effects. Lead, a non-essential element, is taken up by many plant species primarily via their roots. Large amounts of lead are deposited on plant foliage and most remains as a topical deposit but foliar uptake has been demonstrated. To date it has been assumed that soil lead levels above 1000 ppm are required to cause observable plant effects. Environmental variables, plant age, and species are very important determinants of lead uptake. The few studies done with plant age and speciation, however, provide no clear generalization. Increasing soil lead availability increases plant uptake. Plant uptake decreases with increasing soil phosphorus, organic content, and pH. The lack of observable lead intoxication of native and agricultural plants is surprising in light of evidence that lead concentrations as low as 1 ppm have a profound effect on events associated with photosynthesis and respiration, this has been explained because even though large amounts of lead may be taken up by plant roots they are immobilized by dictyosome vesicles and deposited in the cell wall. It has been suggested that a similar process is operative throughout the plant. The extant data provide no basis for any fear that lead is an imminent dietary hazard to man.     

Climate change: potential effects of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), ozone (O3), and ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation on plant diseases

Continued world population growth results in increased emission of gases from agriculture, combustion of fossil fuels, and industrial processes. This causes changes in the chemical composition of the atmosphere. Evidence is emerging that increased solar ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation is reaching the earth's atmosphere, due to stratospheric ozone depletion. Carbon dioxide (CO(2)), ozone (O(3)) and UV-B are individual climate change factors that have direct biological effects on plants. Such effects may directly or indirectly affect the incidence and severity of plant diseases, caused by biotic agents. Carbon dioxide may increase plant canopy size and density, resulting in a greater biomass of high nutritional quality, combined with a much higher microclimate relative humidity. This would be likely to promote plant diseases such as rusts, powdery mildews, leaf spots and blights. Inoculum potential from greater overwintering crop debris would also be increased. Ozone is likely to have adverse effects on plant growth. Necrotrophic pathogens may colonize plants weakened by O(3) at an accelerated rate, while obligate biotroph infections may be lessened. Ozone is unlikely to have direct adverse effects on fungal pathogens. Ozone effects on plant diseases are host plant mediated. The principal effects of increased UV-B on plant diseases would be via alterations in host plants. Increased flavonoids could lead to increased diseased resistance. Reduced net photosynthesis and premature ripening and senescence could result in a decrease in diseases caused by biotrophs and an increase in those caused by necrotrophs. Microbial plant pathogens are less likely to be adversely affected by CO(2), O(3) and UV-B than are their corresponding host plants. Changes in host plants may result in expectable alterations of disease incidence, depending on host plant growth stages and type of pathogen. Given the importance of plant diseases in world food and fiber production, it is essential to begin studying the effects of increased CO(2), O(3) and UV-B (and other climate change factors) on plant diseases. We know very little about the actual impacts of climate change factors on disease epidemiology. Epidemiologists should be encouraged to consider CO(2), O(3) and UV-B as factors in their field studies.     

Waste converting through by-product synergy: an insight from three-echelon supply chain

By-product synergy (BPS) is an innovative method to convert waste into valuable by-products effectively. Based on a three-echelon supply chain composed of an upstream manufacturer, a processing plant with limited processing capacity, and a downstream manufacturer, this study derives the production quantity and waste disposal decisions of the upstream and downstream manufacturers as well as the optimal transfer price decision of the processing plant. Moreover, we assess the environmental performance of BPS. Analytical results suggest that the upstream manufacturer’s production quantity and waste disposal decisions and the processing plant’s transfer price decision are threshold dependent on the processing plant’s capacity, whereas the downstream manufacturer’s production quantity decision is threshold dependent on the processing plant’s capacity and price of raw materials. BPS is beneficial for all members of the supply chain to increase profit. The production promotion and cost-saving effects ensure that the supply chain members maximize their profit. However, BPS does not always have a positive effect on the environment; when the processing plant’s capacity and price of raw materials are below the threshold, implementing BPS results in a win-win situation of economic and environmental benefits.

     

城市污水处理厂的自动控制设计要点

通过一个城市污水处理厂自动控制系统的选取与设汁过程作为实例,说明了可编程逻辑控制器(PLC)自动控制方案是当今城市污水处理厂的最佳选择。论文对PLC自动控制方案的设计过程提出了详细的指导,将基于PLC的生产过程自动化与办公自动化进行了有机结合,为大型污水处理厂自动化控制设计提供了极重要的借鉴。     

Brush and Trunk Burning Plant in the City of Detroit

For many years the City of Detroit was a flagrant violator of its own air pollution laws by the indiscriminate open burning of Dutch Elm diseased trees, brush and trunks. Cited for violation under the city’s air pollution control code as well as under threat of a private legal suit, the City administration approved a $250,000 expenditure for the design and installation of a unique six ton per hour brush and trunk burning incinerator plant. This plant was conceived by engineering personnel of the City Engineer’s office in consultation with engineering staff members of the Air Pollution Control Bureau. Information is provided on the basic plant layout and design, wet fly ash collector configuration, operating and maintenance experience, and recommended changes for any future similar installations. Stack emission test data are also reported. Due to the success of this plant, a similar plant is in the process of being constructed in another part of the city upon completion of which the City of Detroit will no longer be required to burn brush and trunk waste in open fires. The new plant has incorporated some design changes which should enable it to perform even more efficiently than the prototype unit and handle a wider variety of waste such as Christmas trees and wrecking waste. Because this plant is the first of its kind in the U. S. and the disposal of Dutch Elm diseased brush and trunks is a major problem in many urban areas, the experience of the City of Detroit should be of vital interest to many municipal officials.     

Climate change: potential impact on plant diseases

Global climate has changed since pre-industrial times. Atmospheric CO(2), a major greenhouse gas, has increased by nearly 30% and temperature has risen by 0.3 to 0.6 degrees C. The intergovernmental panel on climate change predicts that with the current emission scenario, global mean temperature would rise between 0.9 and 3.5 degrees C by the year 2100. There are, however, many uncertainties that influence these predictions. Despite the significance of weather on plant diseases, comprehensive analysis of how climate change will influence plant diseases that impact primary production in agricultural systems is presently unavailable. Evaluation of the limited literature in this area suggests that the most likely impact of climate change will be felt in three areas: in losses from plant diseases, in the efficacy of disease management strategies and in the geographical distribution of plant diseases. Climate change could have positive, negative or no impact on individual plant diseases. More research is needed to obtain base-line information on different disease systems. Most plant disease models use different climatic variables and operate at a different spatial and temporal scale than do the global climate models. Improvements in methodology are necessary to realistically assess disease impacts at a global scale.     

无锡太湖新城污水处理厂改良型A^2／O工艺的调试与运行

介绍了无锡市太湖新城污水处理厂的一期工程设计概况和所采用的改良型A^2/O脱氮除磷工艺，分析、探讨了污水处理厂的调试、培菌、试运行过程中出现的问题，并针对性地采用了一系列的解决措施。由监测数据表明，该工艺运行可靠，出水水质稳定，实现了污水处理厂的正常运行。     

Detection of sulphite in plants

Artificially SO(2)-fumigated plant material was investigated for its sulphite content. Experiments with moderate concentrations of SO(2) (0.15-0.45 mg m(-3) lasting for 3 weeks, showed no detectable amounts of sulphite present in peas. Considering the detection limit of the method, this indicates that the steady state level in plant tissues is below 4 x 10(-5)M sulphite. Only in pea plants exposed to very high SO(2)-doses of 2.6-26mg m(-3) for 12-48 h, was sulphite recorded. We conclude from our results that sulphite dioxide, taken up by pea plants, is very effectively removed by enzymic and non-enzymic processes, and this 'detoxification' prevents accumulation of sulphite in the plant tissue, and so only very small amounts of sulphite are to be expected in SO(2)-damaged plant material. The possible role of very low sulphite concentrations in plant tissues is discussed.     

Nitrogen fertility and abiotic stresses management in cotton crop: a review

This review outlines nitrogen (N) responses in crop production and potential management decisions to ameliorate abiotic stresses for better crop production. N is a primary constituent of the nucleotides and proteins that are essential for life. Production and application of N fertilizers consume huge amounts of energy, and excess is detrimental to the environment. Therefore, increasing plant N use efficiency (NUE) is important for the development of sustainable agriculture. NUE has a key role in crop yield and can be enhanced by controlling loss of fertilizers by application of humic acid and natural polymers (hydrogels), having high water-holding capacity which can improve plant performance under field conditions. Abiotic stresses such as waterlogging, drought, heat, and salinity are the major limitations for successful crop production. Therefore, integrated management approaches such as addition of aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG), the film antitranspirant (di-1-p-menthene and pinolene) nutrients, hydrogels, and phytohormones may provide novel approaches to improve plant tolerance against abiotic stress-induced damage. Moreover, for plant breeders and molecular biologists, it is a challenge to develop cotton cultivars that can tolerate plant abiotic stresses while having high potential NUE for the future.     

Cadmium in naturally-occurring water hyacinths

Water hyacinth [$\text{Eichhornia}$$\text{crassipes}$ (Mart.) Solms] is an effective fertillizer, mulch, soil amendment and fodder for cattle and sheep. The consequences of the ability of the plant to accumulate heavy metals needs consideration. Small and large water hyacinth ecotypes collected from two “rural” rivers in Florida, the Peace and Withalachoochee respectively, were examined for an accumulation of cadmium from the natural environment. Less than trace amounts (below limits of detection, 2.5ppb) were present. Water hyacinths tested for cadmium accumulation under laboratory conditions exhibited a pronounced ability to absorb and accumulate the metal. The roots contained 0.982 mg of the 2.0 mg cadmium presented to the plant. The distribution of the metal within the plant was 76.7% in the roots, 22.4% in the stems with the remainder in the leaves. Of the total cadmium presented to the plant, 80.8 ± 3.0% was recovered by the plant after 7 days, the mean generation time of the plant. With increasing urbanization, accumulation of cadmium by water hyacinths exists. It is either an asset or a potential hazard and needs to be appreciated.     

Localization of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) in poplar and switchgrass plants using phosphor imager autoradiography

Phosphor imager autoradiography is a technique for rapid, sensitive analysis of the localization of xenobiotics in plant tissues. Use of this technique is relatively new to research in the field of plant science, and the potential for enhancing visualization and understanding of plant uptake and transport of xenobiotics remains largely untapped. Phosphor imager autoradiography is used to investigate the uptake and translocation of the explosives 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene within Populus deltoides × nigra DN34 (poplar) and Panicum vigratum Alamo (switchgrass). In both plant types, TNT and/or TNT-metabolites remain predominantly in root tissues while RDX and/or RDX-metabolites are readily translocated to leaf tissues. Phosphor imager autoradiography is further investigated for use in semi-quantitative analysis of uptake of TNT by switchgrass.     

Role of plant activity and contaminant speciation in aquatic plant assimilation of 2,4,5-trichlorophenol

Aquatic plants uptake, transform and sequester organic contaminants and are used as a bioremediation strategy for the removal of pollutants from wastewaters. A better understanding of factors affecting rate of uptake of contaminants by aquatic plants is needed to improve engineered systems for removal of pollutants from wastewaters. This work focused on delineating sorption to plant surfaces and understanding effects of plant metabolic activity, inhibition, and media pH on the uptake of the ionizable contaminant 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (TCP) by aquatic plant Lemna minor. During L. minor exposure to TCP (0.5-13.9 mg l(-1)), a range of plant metabolic activities was measured using oxygen production rate (0-18.4 micromol h(-1)). A positive correlation was shown between contaminant uptake rate and plant activity. Contaminant uptake was examined at a range of media pH values (6-9) and uptake rates were linearly correlated to fraction of contaminant in protonated form. These results demonstrated a link between plant activity and uptake of contaminant by plants and stress the importance of incorporating plant metabolic activity and contaminant speciation in development of natural and engineered phytoremediation systems. This research also indicates that aquatic plants can actively accumulate trace-organic contaminants and may ultimately serve as a sink for these materials in the natural environment.