5-Aminolevulinic acid ameliorates cadmium-induced morphological, biochemical, and ultrastructural changes in seedlings of oilseed rape

Due to its prolific growth, oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) can be grown successfully for phytoremediation of cadmium (Cd)-contaminated soils. Nowadays, use of plant growth regulators against heavy metals stress is one of the major objectives of researchers. The present study evaluates the ameliorate effects of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA, 0, 0.4, 2, and 10 mg/l) on the growth of oilseed rape (B. napus L. cv. ZS 758) seedlings under Cd stress (0, 100, and 500 μM). Results have shown that Cd stress hampered the seedling growth by decreasing the radical and hypocotyls length, shoot and root biomass, chlorophyll content, and antioxidants enzymes. On the other hand, Cd stress increased the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and production of H₂O₂ and accumulation of Cd in the shoots. The microscopic study of leaf mesophyll cells showed that toxicity of Cd totally destroyed the whole cell structure, and accumulation of Cd also appeared in micrographs. Application of ALA at lower dosage (2 mg/l) enhanced the seedling growth and biomass. The results showed that 2 mg/l ALA significantly improved chlorophyll content under Cd stress and decreased the level of Cd contents in shoots. Application of ALA reduced the MDA and H₂O₂ levels in the cotyledons. The antioxidants enzymes (ascorbate peroxidase, peroxidase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and superoxide dismutase) enhanced their activities significantly with the application of 2 mg/l ALA under Cd stress. This study also indicated that higher dosage of ALA (10 mg/l) imposed the negative effect on the growth of oilseed rape. Microscopic study showed that application of ALA alleviated the toxic effects of Cd in the mesophyll cell and improved the cell structure. Use of 2 mg/l ALA under 500 μM Cd was found to be more effective, and under this dosage, cell structure was clear, with obvious cell wall and cell membrane as well as a big nucleus, which was found with well-developed two or more nucleoli. Chloroplast was almost round in shape and contained thylakoids membranes and grana, but starch grains were not found in chloroplast comparatively to other treatments. On the basis of our results, we can conclude that ALA has a promotive effect which could improve plant survival under Cd stress.     

Changes in photochemical and antioxidant enzyme activities in maize (Zea mays L.) leaves exposed to excess copper

Changes in photosynthetic and antioxidant activities in maize (Zea mays L.) leaves of cultivars 3223 and 31G98 exposed to excess copper (Cu) were investigated. Cu treatment reduced the shoot and root length of both cultivars. No significant difference of Cu accumulation in the roots of both cultivars was observed while the cultivar 3223 accumulated significantly higher Cu in leaves than 31G98. The observed decreases in effective quantum efficiency of PSII, ETR and qP indicate an over excitation of photochemical system in 3223 compared to 31G98. The leaf chlorophyll and carotenoid contents of both cultivars decreased with increasing Cu concentration. A far higher production of anthocyanins in 31G98 has been observed than that of 3223. At 1.5 mM Cu concentration, all antioxidant enzyme activities increased in leaves of the cultivar 31G98 while there were no significant changes in SOD and GR activities in 3223 compared to the control except increased APX and POD activities. The lower Cu accumulation in leaves and higher antioxidant enzyme activities in 31G98 suggested an enhanced tolerance capacity of this cultivar to protect the plant from oxidative damage.     

Behavior and fate of chlorpyrifos introduced into soil-crop systems by irrigation

The effect of chlorpyrifos added in irrigation water to a red soil from Central South China on the growth of wheat and oilseed rape seedlings, together with its uptake, was studied in a pot experiment. Addition of chlorpyrifos (1-10 microg g-1) in a single irrigation with distilled water resulted in absorption of chlorpyrifos by wheat (0.257-4.50 microg g-1) and also oilseed rape seedlings (0.249-2.02 microg g-1) during 20 d of plant growth. An initial concentration of chlorpyrifos in soil that is equivalent to or below 10 microg g-1 did not significantly influence the growth of wheat seedlings. Similarly, an initial concentration equivalent to or below 5 microg g-1 did not significantly influence the growth of oilseed rape seedlings. The degradation rate of chlorpyrifos was 1.4-4.2 times larger in oilseed rape rhizosphere soil than in unvegetated soil. The numbers of bacteria and fungi in oilseed rape rhizosphere soil were 3.18 times and 1.84 times larger, respectively, than those in unvegetated soil. This helps to explain the difference in degradation rates obtained.     

不同镉污染农田土壤上秸秆和炭化秸秆分解动态及其对土壤镉的吸附特征

通过温室土壤培养实验，研究不同镉污染农田土壤上不同的作物秸秆和炭化作物秸秆还田后的分解动态和还田秸秆材料对污染土壤中镉的吸附特征，探讨秸秆和炭化秸秆还田做为重金属镉污染农田土壤修复剂的可行性。实验结果表明，还田的油菜秸秆和玉米秸秆在2种镉污染水稻土壤上6个月分解了43％-65％，秸秆炭化后还田则很稳定，2种镉污染土壤上还田6个月时累计分解量小于5％。2种镉污染土壤上还田的秸秆和炭化秸秆随还田时间延长镉含量逐渐增加。模拟镉污染土壤上，相同时期油菜秸秆中镉含量显著高于玉米秸秆，油菜秸秆炭中镉含量显著高于玉米秸秆炭。在镉污染土壤上，还田的玉米秸秆、油菜秸秆、玉米秸秆炭和油菜秸秆炭对土壤镉的净吸附量相近，均小于1．1μg／g。在模拟镉污染土壤上还田的油菜秸秆和油莱秸秆炭对土壤镉净吸附量最高分别达到2．74μg／g和7．03μg／g，分别是玉米秸秆和玉米秸秆炭的2倍，且显著高于其在镉污染土壤上的净吸附量，具有高的吸附能力。     

Immobilization of aluminum with mucilage secreted by root cap and root border cells is related to aluminum resistance in Glycine max L

The root cap and root border cells (RBCs) of most plant species produced pectinaceous mucilage, which can bind metal cations. In order to evaluate the potential role of root mucilage on aluminum (Al) resistance, two soybean cultivars differing in Al resistance were aeroponic cultured, the effects of Al on root mucilage secretion, root growth, contents of mucilage-bound Al and root tip Al, and the capability of mucilage to bind Al were investigated. Increasing Al concentration and exposure time significantly enhanced mucilage excretion from both root caps and RBCs, decreased RBCs viability and relative root elongation except roots exposed to 400 μM Al for 48 h in Al-resistant cultivar. Removal of root mucilage from root tips resulted in a more severe inhibition of root elongation. Of the total Al accumulated in root, mucilage accounted 48–72 and 12–27 %, while root tip accounted 22–52 and 73–88 % in Al-resistant and Al-sensitive cultivars, respectively. A ²⁷Al nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of the Al-adsorbed mucilage showed Al tightly bound to mucilage. Higher capacity to exclude Al in Al-resistant soybean cultivar is related to the immobilization and detoxification of Al by the mucilage secreted from root cap and RBCs.     

Predicting molybdenum toxicity to higher plants: Influence of soil properties

The effect of soil properties on the toxicity of molybdenum (Mo) to four plant species was investigated. Soil organic carbon or ammonium-oxalate extractable Fe oxides were found to be the best predictors of the 50% effective dose (ED₅₀) of Mo in different soils, explaining > 65% of the variance in ED₅₀ for four species except for ryegrass (26-38%). Molybdenum concentrations in soil solution and consequently plant uptake were increased when soil pH was artificially raised because sorption of Mo to amorphous oxides is greatly reduced at high pH. The addition of sulphate significantly decreased Mo uptake by oilseed rape. For risk assessment, we suggest that Mo toxicity values for plants should be normalised using soil amorphous iron oxide concentrations.     

Response of hydrogen peroxide scavenging system in two soybean cultivars exposed to SO2: experimental evidence for the detoxification of SO2 by enhanced H2O2 scavenging components

The impact of SO(2) on superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the ascorbate-glutathione cycle was investigated in a tolerant (cv. Punjab-1) and a sensitive (cv. JS 7244) cultivar of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). In spite of SO(2) stimulated SOD activities in both the cultivars, only cv. JS 7244 has significantly enhanced Malondialdehyde (MDA) contents. This differential response was attributed to the ability of cv. Punjab-1 to enhance glutathione reductase (GR) activity and to maintain high GSH/GSSG and ASA/DHA ratios. Post-fumigation analysis indicated the ability of cv. Punjab-1 to maintain SO(2)-enhanced antioxidants, whilst they declined in cv. JS 7244 the moment fumigation was terminated. Exposure of SO(2)-acclimated plants (cv. Punjab-1) with their enhanced antioxidants to 250 microg m(-3) SO(2) for 6 h exhibited no enhanced cellular injury (MDA content) when compared to that of control plants with their normal antioxidant levels. These results indicate a relation between the ability of a plant to maintain reduced glutathione (GSH) and ascorbate (ASA) and SO(2) tolerance, and they also present evidence for the ability of plants, with elevated antioxidants, to tolerate SO(2)-induced oxygen-free radical toxicity.     

Predicting molybdenum toxicity to higher plants: Estimation of toxicity threshold values

Four plant species (oilseed rape, Brassica napus L.; red clover, Trifolium pratense L.; ryegrass, Lolium perenne L.; and tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum L.) were tested on ten soils varying widely in soil properties to assess molybdenum (Mo) toxicity. A larger range (66-fold-609-fold) of added Mo concentrations resulting in 50% inhibition of yield (ED₅₀) was found among soils than among plant species (2-fold-38-fold), which illustrated that the soils differed widely in the expression of Mo toxicity. Toxicity thresholds based on soil solution Mo narrowed the variation among soils compared to thresholds based on added Mo concentrations. We conclude that plant bioavailability of Mo in soil depends on Mo solubility, but this alone did not decrease the variability in observed toxicity enough to be used in risk assessment and that other soil properties influencing Mo toxicity to plants need to be considered.     

Feedstock quality and growth of bioenergy crops fertilized with sewage sludge

Sewage sludge is rich in essential plant nutrients, but its use is restricted for crop production due to the pollutants it contains, such as metalloids and heavy metals. Sludge is also very sticky and compact. Therefore, the objectives of this work were to evaluate (1) the impact of various amounts of sludge on bioenergy crop productivity and quality and (2) the use of peat as an adjuvant to reduce the stickiness, density and nutrient richness of the sludge. Three different applications of sludge were examined, high, low (50% of high) and low mixed with an equal volume of peat. The sludge-peat mix increased significantly leaf area and biomass accumulation of maize and hemp. High sludge and sludge-peat mix applications increased significantly the leaf area and biomass accumulation as well as the net photosynthesis of oilseed rape. High sludge application resulted in the highest heavy metal and metalloid accumulation in maize and hemp. Sludge-peat mix resulted in the highest heavy metal and metalloid accumulation in oilseed rape. However, the sludge-peat mix application provided the best feedstock quality in all three crops, since chloride, silicon and sulfur concentrations and ash content in plant material were the lowest of the three sludge treatments.     

Seeds’ physicochemical traits and mucilage protection against aluminum effect during germination and root elongation as important factors in a biofuel seed crop (Ricinus communis)

We determined the length, volume, dry biomass, and density in seeds of five castor bean cultivars and verified notable physicochemical trait differences. Seeds were then subjected to different toxic aluminum (Al) concentrations to evaluate germination, relative root elongation, and the role of root apices’ rhizosphere mucilage layer. Seeds’ physicochemical traits were associated with Al toxicity responses, and the absence of Al in cotyledons near to the embryo was revealed by Al-hematoxylin staining, indicating that Al did not induce significant germination reduction rates between cultivars. However, in the more sensitive cultivar, Al was found around the embryo, contributing to subsequent growth inhibition. After this, to investigate the role of mucilage in Al tolerance, an assay was conducted using NH₄Cl to remove root mucilage before or after exposure to different Al concentrations. Sequentially, the roots were stained with hematoxylin and a quantitative analysis of staining intensity was obtained. These results revealed the significant contribution of the mucilage layer to Al toxicity responses in castor bean seedlings. Root growth elongation under Al toxicity confirmed the role of the mucilage layer, which jointly indicated the differential Al tolerance between cultivars and an efficient Al-exclusion mechanism in the tolerant cultivar.     

Status of feral oilseed rape in Europe: its minor role as a GM impurity and its potential as a reservoir of transgene persistence

Purpose  

Feral oilseed rape has become widespread in Europe on waysides and waste ground. Its potential as a source of GM impurity in oilseed rape harvests is quantified, for the first time, by a consistent analysis applied over a wide range of study areas in Europe.     

Chromium exhibits adverse effects at environmental relevant concentrations in chronic toxicity assay system of nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Here we investigated whether the assay system (10-d) in Caenorhabditis elegans can be used to evaluate chronic toxicity of chromium (Cr(VI)) at environmental relevant concentrations ranging from 5.2 μg L⁻¹ to 260 μg L⁻¹. The results indicated that lethality, locomotion behavior as revealed by head thrash, body bend, and forward turn, metabolism as revealed by pumping rate and mean defecation cycle length, intestinal autofluorescence, and ROS production were severely altered in Cr chronically exposed nematodes at environmental relevant concentrations. The most surprising observations were that head thrash, body bend, intestinal autofluorescence, and ROS production in 13 μg L⁻¹ Cr exposed nematodes were significantly influenced. The observed adverse effects of Cr on survival, locomotion behavior, and metabolism were largely due to forming severe intestinal autofluorescence and ROS production. Therefore, our findings demonstrate the usefulness of chronic toxicity assay system in C. elegans in evaluating the chronic toxicity of toxicants at environmental relevant concentrations.     

Chromium phytoextraction from tannery effluent-contaminated soil by Crotalaria juncea infested with Pseudomonas fluorescens

The aim of present study was to remediate chromium (Cr)-contaminated soil by Crotalaria juncea in the presence of Pseudomonas fluorescens. Inoculation of P. fluorescens in pot soil grown with C. juncea significantly increased (~2-fold) the water-soluble (Ws) and exchangeable (Ex) Cr contents in contaminated soil under greenhouse condition. It also enhanced the chlorophyll content by 92 % and plant biomass by 99 % as compared to the uninoculated C. juncea plant. The analysis showed that root and shoot uptake of Cr in C. juncea inoculated by P. fluorescens was 3.08- and 2.82-fold, respectively. This research showed that the association of C. juncea and P. fluorescens could be a promising technology for increasing the soil Cr bioavailability and plant growth for successful phytoextraction of Cr from the contaminated soil.     

Elevated atmospheric ozone increases concentration of insecticidal Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry1Ac protein in Bt Brassica napus and reduces feeding of a Bt target herbivore on the non-transgenic parent

Sustained cultivation of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) transgenic crops requires stable transgene expression under variable abiotic conditions. We studied the interactions of Bt toxin production and chronic ozone exposure in Bt cry1Ac-transgenic oilseed rape and found that the insect resistance trait is robust under ozone elevations. Bt Cry1Ac concentrations were higher in the leaves of Bt oilseed rape grown under elevated ozone compared to control treatment, measured either per leaf fresh weight or per total soluble protein of leaves. The mean relative growth rate of a Bt target herbivore, Plutella xylostella L. larvae was negative on Bt plants in all ozone treatments. On the non-transgenic plants, larval feeding damage was reduced under elevated ozone. Our results indicate the need for monitoring fluctuations in Bt toxin concentrations to reveal the potential of ozone exposure for altering dosing of Bt proteins to target and non-target herbivores in field environments experiencing increasing ozone pollution.     

The effect of excess Zn on mineral nutrition and antioxidative response in rapeseed seedlings

Zinc (Zn) is a necessary element for plants, but excess Zn can be detrimental. To investigate Zn toxicity, rapeseed (Brassica napus) seedlings were treated with 0.07–1.12 mM Zn for 7 d. Inhibition of plant growth along with root damage, chlorosis and decreased chlorophyll (a and b) content in newly expanded leaves (the second and third leaves formed following cotyledons) were found under Zn stress. The Zn content increased in plants under external Zn stress, while concentrations of phosphorus, copper, iron, manganese and magnesium reduced significantly, especially in roots. Meanwhile, increased lipid peroxidation was detected biochemically and histochemically. Compared with controls, NADH oxidase and peroxidase (POD) activity increased in leaves and roots of plants under high Zn, but superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activities decreased. The changes in glutathione S-transferase activity and in ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbate, non-protein thiols and glutathione contents were also measured under Zn stress. Isoforms of SOD and POD were separated using non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and their activities were analyzed. Our results suggested that excess Zn exerts its toxicity partially through disturbing nutrient balance and inducing oxidative stress in plants. These data will be helpful for better understanding of toxicity of Zn and the adaptive mechanism in Zn non-hyperaccumulator plants.     

Effect of zinc fertilization on cadmium toxicity in durum and bread wheat grown in zinc-deficient soil

The effect of increasing application of zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) on shoot dry weight and shoot concentrations of Zn and Cd was studied in bread and durum wheat cultivars. Plants were grown in severely Zn-deficient calcareous soil treated with increasing Zn (0 and 10 mg kg(-1) soil) and Cd (0, 10 and 25 mg kg(-1) soil) and harvested after 35 and 65 days of growth under greenhouse conditions. Growing plants without Zn fertilization caused severe depression in shoot growth, especially in durum wheat and at high Cd treatment. Cadmium treatments resulted in rapid development of necrotic patches on the base and sheath parts of the oldest leaves of both wheat cultivars, but symptoms were more severe in durum wheat and under Zn deficiency. Decreases in shoot dry weight from increasing Cd application were more severe in Zn-deficient plants. Severity of Cd toxicity symptoms in durum and bread wheat at different Zn treatments did not show any relation to the Cd concentrations in shoot. Increasing Cd application to Zn-deficient plants tended to decrease Zn concentrations in Zn-deficient plants, whereas in plants with adequate Zn, concentrations of Zn were either not affected or increased by Cd. The results show that durum wheat was more sensitive to both Zn deficiency and Cd toxicity as compared to bread wheat. Cadmium toxicity in the shoot was alleviated by Zn treatment, but this was not accompanied by a corresponding decrease in shoot concentrations of Cd. Our results are compatible with the hypothesis that Zn protects plants from Cd toxicity by improving plant defense against Cd-induced oxidative stress and by competing with Cd for binding to critical cell constituents such as enzymes and membrane protein and lipids.     

Remediation mechanisms of mercapto-grafted palygorskite for cadmium pollutant in paddy soil

The immobilization agent was the key factor that determined the success of remediation of heavy metal polluted soil. In this study, mercapto-grafted palygorskite (MP) as a novel and efficient immobilization agent was utilized for the remediation of Cd-polluted paddy soil in pot trials, and the remediation mechanisms were investigated in the aspect of soil chemistry and plant physiology with different rice cultivars as model plants. Mercapto-grafted palygorskite at applied doses of 0.1–0.3% could reduce Cd contents of brown rice and straws of different cultivars significantly. Both reduced DTPA-extractable Cd contents in rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil and decreasing Cd contents in iron plaques on rice root surfaces confirmed that MP was an efficient immobilization agent for Cd pollutant in paddy soil. In the aspect of soil chemistry, the pH values of rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils had no statistical changes in the MP treatment groups, but their zeta potentials decreased obviously, indicating that MP could enhance the fixation or sorption of Cd on soil compositions. In the aspect of antioxidant system, MP could increase POD activity of rice roots significantly to alleviate the stress of Cd to roots, and resulted in the decrease of T-AOC, SOD, and CAT activities of rice roots of the selected cultivars. MP had no inhabitation or enhancement effects on TSH of rice roots but enhance the contents of MTs and NPT to binding Cd to complete detoxification process. MP as a novel and efficient immobilization agent could complete the remediation effects through soil chemistry and plant physiological mechanisms.

     

Yield responses of different crop species to long-term fumigation with sulphur dioxide in open-top chambers

Potted plants of commercial cultivars of rape (Brassica napus L., cv. 'callypso'), summer barley (Hordeum vulgare L., cvs. 'arena' and 'hockey') and bush beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L., cvs. 'rintintin' and 'rosisty') were continuously exposed in open-top chambers to sulphur dioxide (SO(2)) for the whole growing season in order to assess effects of this pollutant on growth and various yield parameters. Treatments consisted of charcoal-filtered air (CF) and CF supplemented with four levels of SO(2), resulting in mean exposure concentrations (microg m(-3)) of approximately 8, 50, 90, 140 and 190. With the exception of the 1000 seeds weight, which was slightly reduced, dry matter production and yield parameters of rape remained unaffected by all SO(2) concentrations or were even stimulated. Compared to CF vegetative growth of both bean cultivars was reduced by 10-26% at all SO(2) levels; however, with significant effects only for cv. 'rintintin'. While all SO(2) additions reduced significantly the yield (dry weight of pods) of the bean cultivar 'rosisty' between 17% and 32%, cv. 'rintintin' showed a significant reduction of up to 42% only at the two highest pollutant concentrations. Dry matter production of the barley cultivars was mainly impaired at SO(2) concentrations > 100 microg m(-3) with a reduction of 30-52%. While nearly all yield parameters of cv. 'hockey' reacted similar to the dry matter production, the yield of cv. 'arena' was reduced already at the low SO(2) levels. At a treatment concentration of 90 microg SO(2) m(-3) a significant yield loss of 30% was recorded. A reduction of the 1000 grains weight mainly contributed to these yield losses observed for both barley cultivars. From these results, it may be assumed that SO(2) concentrations within the range 50-90 microg m(-3) are potentially phytotoxic to some crop species.     

Cumulative impact of GM herbicide-tolerant cropping on arable plants assessed through species-based and functional taxonomies

Background, aim and scope

In a gradualist approach to the introduction of crop biotechnology, the findings of experimentation at one scale are used to predict the outcome of moving to a higher scale of deployment. Movement through scales had occurred for certain genetically modified herbicide-tolerant (GMHT) crops in the UK as far as large-scale field trials. However, the land area occupied by these trials was still <1% of the area occupied by the respective non-GM crops. Some means is needed to predict the direction and size of the effect of increasing the area of GMHT cropping on ecological variables such as the diversity among species and trophic interactions. Species-accumulation curves are examined here as a method of indicating regional-scale impacts on botanical diversity from multiple field experiments.

Materials and methods

Data were used from experiments on the effect of (GMHT) crops and non-GM, or conventional, comparators in fields sown with four crop types (beet, maize, spring and winter oilseed rape) at a total of 250 sites in the UK between 2000 and 2003. Indices of biodiversity were measured in a split-field design comparing GMHT with the farmers’ usual weed management. In the original analyses based on the means at site level, effects were detected on the mass of weeds in the three spring crops and the proportion of broadleaf and grass weeds in winter oilseed rape, but not on indices of plant species diversity. To explore the links between site means and total taxa, accumulation curves were constructed based on the number of plant species (a pool of around 250 species in total) and the number of plant functional types (24), inferred from the general life-history characteristics of a species.

Results

Species accumulation differed between GMHT and conventional treatments in direction and size, depending on the type of crop and its conventional management. Differences were mostly in the asymptote of the curve, indicative of the maximum number of species found in a treatment, rather than the steepness of the curve. In winter oilseed rape, 8% more species were accumulated in the GMHT treatment, mainly as a result of the encouragement of grass species by the herbicide when applied in the autumn. (Overall, GMHT winter oilseed rape had strong negative effects on both the food web and the potential weed burden by increasing the biomass of grasses and decreasing that of broadleaf weeds.) In maize, 33% more species—a substantial increase—were accumulated in the GMHT than in the conventional, consistent with the latter’s highly suppressive weed management using triazine herbicides. In the spring oilseed rape and beet, fewer species (around 10%) were accumulated in the GMHT than the conventional. The GMHT treatments did not remove or add any functional (life history) types, however. Differences in species accumulation between treatments appeared to be caused by loss or gain of rarer species. The generality of this effect was confirmed by simulations of species accumulation in which the species complement at each of 50 sites was drawn from a regional pool and subjected to reducing treatment at each site. Shifts in the species-accumulation parameters, comparable to those measured, occurred only when a treatment removed the rarer species at each site.

Discussion

Species accumulation provided a set of simple curve-parameters that captured the net result of numerous local effects of treatments on plant species and, in some instances, the balance between grass and broadleaf types. The direction of effect was not the same in the four crops and depended on the severity of the conventional treatment and on complex interactions between season, herbicide and crop. The accumulation curves gave an indication of potential positive or negative consequences for regional species pools of replacing a conventional practice with GMHT weed management. In this and related studies, a range of indicators, through which diversity was assessed by both species and functional type, and at both site and regional scales, gave more insight into effects of GMHT treatment than provided by any one indicator.

Conclusions

Species accumulation was shown to discriminate at the regional scale between agronomic treatments that had little effect on species number at the field scale. While a comprehensive assessment of GM cropping needs to include an examination of regional effects, as here, the costs of doing this in all instances would be prohibitive. Simulations of diversity-reducing treatments could provide a theoretical framework for predicting the likely regional effects from in-field plant dynamics.

Recommendations and perspectives

Accumulation curves potentially offer a means of linking within-site effects to regional impacts on biodiversity resulting from any change in agricultural practice. To guide empirical measurement, there is a scope to apply a methodology such as individual-based modelling at the field scale to explore the links between agronomic treatments and the relative abundance of plant types. The framework needs to be validated in practice, using species-based and functional taxonomies, the latter defined by measured rather than inferred traits.