The effects of exogenous salicylic acid on growth and H2O2-metabolizing enzymes in rice seedlings under lead stress

Salicylic acid （SA） was an essential component of the plant resistance to pathogens and also plays an important role in mediating plant response to some abiotic stress. The possible effects of SA on the growth and H2O2-metabolizing enzymes in rice seedlings under lead stress were studied. When rice seedlings grown in nutrient solution containing Pb^2＋ （0, 0.05, 0.15, 0.25 mmol/L） for 18 d, the plant biomass as well as the chlorophyll content of leaves decreased with increasing Pb concentration. The pre-treatment with SA （treated with 0.1 mmol/L SA for 48 h before Pb stress） partially protected seedlings from Pb toxicity. The chlorophyll contents were significant higher in leaves of Pb-exposed with SA pre-treatment seedlings than in Pb-exposed plants at the same Pb intensity. SA pre-treated alone could significantly increase the length of shoot and root of seedlings but the vigour difference was not marked under long-term exposure to Pb toxicity. SA pre-treated influence the H2O2 level in leaves of seedlings by up-regulating the activity of superoxide dismutase （SOD）, repressing the activity of catalase （CAT） and ascorbate peroxidase （APX） depending on the concentrations of Pb^2＋ in the growth medium. The results supported the conclusion that SA played a positive role in rice seedlings against Pb toxicity.     

Changes of plasma membrane AtPase activity, membrane potential and transmembrane proton gradient in Kandelia candel and Avicennia marina seedlings with various salinities

The salt-secreting mangrove, Avicennia marina, and non-salt-secreting mangrove, Kande/ia candel were cultivated in sand with various salinities(0‰, 100‰, 20‰, 30‰, 40‰) for 60 d. Plasma membrane vesicles of highpurity in leaves and roots of A. marina and K. candel seedlings were obtained by two-phase partitioning. The function of the plasma membranes, the activity of ATPase, membrane potential and transmembrane proton gradient, at various salinities were investigated. The results showed that within a certain range of salinity( A. marina and roots of K. candel: 0-30‰; leaves of K. candel: 0-20‰), the activity of ATPase increased with increasing salinity, while high salinity (above 30‰ or 20‰) inhibited ATPase activity. In comparison with A. marina, K.candel appeared to be more sensitive to salinity. The dynamics of membrane potential and transmembrane proton gradient in leaves and roots of A. marina and K. candel seedlings were similar to that of ATPase. When treated directly by NaCl all the indexes were inhibited markedly: there was a little increase within 0-10‰( K. candel) or 0-20‰( A. marina) followed by sharp declining. It indicated that the structure and function of plasma membrane was damaged severely.     

Ecophysiological responses of winter wheat seedling to aerosol wet deposition of Xi’an area, China

Aerosol leads to 30% reduction in solar radiation reaching the earth’s surface, and a similar reduction in crops yield for both wheat and rice. To determine the effect of aerosol wet deposition on crops, aerosol samples were collected in September, 2006 at Xi’an urban suburb (34?44 N, 109?49 E), and wheat seedlings were treated with aerosol of different concentrations in laboratory conditions. Changes in physiological and biochemical parameters of wheat seedlings were measured. In comparison with the control, the activities of superoxide dismudase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and the concentration malondialdehyde (MDA) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) of wheat seedlings increased progressively with increasing concentrations of added aerosol, while the opposite trend was seen for the activities of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), the concentrations of glutathione (GSH) and nitric oxide (NO), and the ratio of GSH/GSSG. When the seedlings were treated with the aerosol of 1 and 2 mg/L, the coleoptile elongation, shoot elongation and biomass accumulation were increased, the effect at treatment of 2 mg/L was most significant. However, aerosol treatments with rates of 3 and 4 mg/L resulted in a decrease in coleoptile elongation, shoot elongation and biomass accumulation in seedlings, and significant effect was for the treatment of 4 mg/L. Hence, lower concentrations of aerosol wet deposition were in favor of crops growth, but its higher concentrations could result in deleterious effects for crops and decreased crops growth.     

Influences of excessive Cu on photosynthesis and growth in ectomycorrhizal Pinus sylvestris seedlings

Growth and photosynthesis responses were measured for Scots pine( Pinus sylvestris L. cv. ) inoculated with ectomycorrhizal fungi ( Suillus bovinus ) under 6.5 and 25 mg/L Cu treatments to evaluate ectomycorrhizal seedlings‘ tolerance to heavy metal stress. Results showed that excessive Cu can significantly impair the growth and photosynthesis of pine seedlings, but such impairment is much smaller to the ectomycorrhizal seedlings. Under 25mg/L Cu treatment, the dry weight of ectomycorrhizal seedlings is 25% lower than the control in contrary to 53% of the non-mycorrhizal seedlings, and the fresh weight of ectomycorrhizal roots was significantly higher than those of non-mycorrhizal roots, about 25% and 42% higher at 6.5 and 25 mg/L Cu treatments respectively. Furthermore,ectomycorrhizal fungi induced remarkable difference in the growth rate and pigment content of seedlings under excessive Cu stress. At 2.5 mg/L Cu, the contents of total chlorophyll, chlorophyll-a and chlorophyll-b were 30% higher in ectomycorrhizal plants than those in non-mycorrhizal plants. O2 evolution and electron transport of PSI and PSII were restrained by elevated Cu stress. However, no significant improvement was observed in reducing the physiological restraining in ectomycorrhizal seedlings over the non-mycorrhizal ones.     

E ects of arsenic on seed germination and physiological activities of wheat seedlings

The effects of arsenic （As） were investigated on seed germination, root and shoot length and their biomass and some other factors to elucidate the toxicity of As. The results showed low concentrations of As （0-1 mg/kg） stimulated seed germination and the growth of root and shoot, however, these factors all decreased gradually at high concentrations of As （5-20 mg/kg）. The contents of O2^-, MDA, soluble protein and peroxidase （POD） activity all increased with increasing As concentrations. Soluble sugar content, ascorbate peroxidase （APX）, and superoxide dismutase （SOD） activities decreased at low concentrations of As, and increased at high concentrations of As. While acetylsalicylic acid （ASA） and chlorophyll contents, catalase （CAT） activity displayed increasing trend when the concentrations of As was lower than 1 mg/kg, and then decreasing trend. By polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis （PAGE）, As induced the expression of POD isozymes of wheat seedlings. As induced the expression of CAT isozymes but inhibited the expression of SOD isozymes of wheat seedlings at concentrations lower than 1 mg/kg. However, As inhibited the expression of CAT isozymes but induced the expression of SOD isozymes at concentrations higher than 5 mg/kg. The results indicated As could exert harmfulness in the early development stage of wheat at inappropriate concentrations.     

Cu(Ⅱ), Fe(Ⅲ) and Mn(Ⅱ) combinations as environmental stress factors have distinguishing effects on Enterococcus hirae

Pollution by various heavy metals as environmental stress factors might affect bacteria. It was established that iron(Fe(Ⅲ)), manganese(Mn(Ⅱ)) and copper(Cu(Ⅱ)) ion combinations caused effects on Enterococcus hirae that differed from the sum of the effects when the metals were added separately. It was shown that the Cu2+–Fe3+combination decreased the growth and ATPase activity of membrane vesicles of wild-type E. hirae ATCC9790 and atp D mutant(with defective FoF1-ATPase) MS116. Addition of Mn2+–Fe3+combinations within the same concentration range had no effects on growth compared to control(without heavy metals). ATPase activity was increased in the presence of Mn2+–Fe3+, while together with0.2 mmol/L N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide(DCCD), ATPase activity was decreased compared to control(when only 0.2 mmol/L DCCD was present). These results indicate that heavy metals ion combinations probably affect the FOF1-ATPase, leading to conformational changes. Moreover the action may be direct or be mediated by environment redox potential.The effects observed when Fe3+was added separately disappeared in both cases, which might be a result of competing processes between Fe3+and other heavy metals. These findings are novel and improve the understanding of heavy metals ions effects on bacteria,and could be applied for regulation of stress response patterns in the environment.     

Effects of chronic exposure to nonylphenol on locomotor activity and social behavior in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Nonylphenol(NP),a xenoestrogen ubiquitously found in aquatic ecosystems,is of high environmental concern.The present work assessed the effects of exposure to NP on locomotor activity and social behavior in male and female zebrafish(Danio rerio),to evaluate the possible hazard of NP to fish behavior and to pursue a potential biomarker of NP contamination.Fish were randomly divided into six groups.Five groups were receiving 0.1,1,10,50 and 100 μg/L nominal concentrations of NP for 60 days,respectively.A sixth control group was given the same treatment as the other five groups,but no NP.Locomotor activity,aggressive behavior,group preference and leaving shoal were examined.NP exposure showed marked influence on locomotor activity of the male zebrafish,whereas that of the female was not significantly affected by NP.Aggressive behavior and group preference were significantly affected by NP exposure in both male and female groups.Locomotor activity and aggressive behavior of the male and group preference of both male and female zebrafish were clearly inhibited at 100 μg/L NP.No significant alteration in leaving shoal was observed under NP exposure.The results suggested that changes in locomotor activity and aggressive behavior of the male and group preference of both male and female may be used as an ecologically relevant integrative biomarker of NP contamination.     

Effects of exogenous Ca2+ on the membrane permeability, MDA and SH group content of Alexandrium sp. LC3 under surfactant stress

The effect of Ca^2 on the removal of Alexandrium sp. LC3 under HDTMAB stress was investigated. The results showed that thetoxic effect of HDTMAB on Alexandrium sp. LC3 was significantly reduced in the presence of Ca^2 , especially under 4 mmol/L of Ca^2 .To understand the underlying mechanism, the SH group and MDA content of the cell membrane and membrane permeability weremeasured. It was found that the SH content of cell member increased, the MDA content and membrane permeability decreased whenAlexandrium sp. was treated with Ca^2 and HDTMAB complex, compared with using HDTMAB only. The data suggested that Ca^2 mightpromote HDTMAB stress resistance of Alexandrium sp. LC3 by reducing the permeability and increasing the stability of cell membrane.     

Effects of chitosan on growth of an aquatic plant (Hydrilla verticillata) in polluted waters with different chemical oxygen demands

Effects of chitosan on a submersed plant, Hydrilla verticillata, were investigated. Results indicated that H. venicillata could prevent ultrastructure phytotoxicities and oxidativereaction from polluted water with high chemical oxygen demand (COD). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in H. verticillata treated with 0.1% chitosan in wastewater increased with high COD (980 mg/L) and decreased with low COD (63 mg/L), respectively. Ultrastructural analysis showed that the stroma and grana of chloroplast basically remained normal. However, plant cells from the control experiment (untreated with chitosan) were vacuolated and the cell interval increased. The relict of protoplast moved to the center, with cells tending to disjoint. Our findings indicate that wastewater with high COD concentration can cause a substantial damage to submersed plant, nevertheless, chitosan probably could alleviate the membrane lipid peroxidization and ultrastructure phytotoxicities, and protect plant cells from stress of high COD concentration polluted water.     

Effects of salinity on activities of H+-ATPase, H+-PPase and membrane lipid composition in plasma membrane and tonoplast vesicles isolated from soybean (Glycine max L.) seedlings

The effects of NaCI stress on the H^＋-ATPase, H^＋-PPase activity and lipid composition of plasma membrane(PM) and tonoplast(TP) vesicles isolated from roots and leaves of two soybean cultivars( Glycine max L. ) differing in salt tolerance(Wenfeng^7,salt-tolerant; Union, salt-sensitive) were investigated. When Wenfeng^7 was treated with 0.3% (W/V) NaCI for 3 d, the H^＋ -ATP aseactivities in PM and TP from roots and leaves exhibited a reduction and an enhancement, respectively. The H^＋ -PPase activity in TP from roots also increased. Similar effects were not observed in roots of Union. In addition, the increases of phospholipid content and ratios of phospholipid to galactolipid in PM and TP from roots and leaves of Wenfeng^7 may also change membrane permeability and hence affect salt tolerance.     

Cd2+胁迫下中肋骨条藻细胞内多胺的生理响应

通过室内添加Cd2+培养中肋骨条藻(Skeletonema costatum),开展了Cd2+胁迫对中肋骨条藻生长的影响及藻细胞内超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、二胺氧化酶(DAO)、多胺氧化酶(PAO)的活性以及丙二醛(MDA)和各形态多胺含量变化的实验,以探究多胺对于海洋微藻在重金属胁迫下的响应及生理作用.结果显示,Cd2+对中肋骨条藻的生长产生胁迫作用,且Cd2+浓度越大对藻细胞生长的抑制作用越强.Cd2+胁迫下中肋骨条藻细胞内MDA含量略有升高,SOD活性显著降低,DAO和PAO活性分别增强.随着Cd2+胁迫作用的增强,藻细胞内游离态腐胺(Put)、亚精胺(Spd)、精胺(Spm)含量先降低后升高;结合态Put、Spd和Spm含量先升高后降低;束缚态Put、Spm和Spd含量及Put总量和Spm总量升高.表明Cd2+胁迫会导致中肋骨条藻细胞产生氧化损害,同时细胞内DAO和PAO活性的增强以及游离态Put、束缚态Spd和Spm、Put总量和Spm总量的升高可能会增强藻细胞抵抗Cd2+胁迫的能力.     

2011年春季东海赤潮演替过程中海水中的游离态多胺

利用高效液相色谱法测定了2011年东海赤潮演替过程中海水中的主要的游离态多胺腐胺、亚精胺和精胺的浓度.调查海区腐胺、亚精胺和精胺的浓度范围分别为0~48nmol/L,3~11nmol/L和2~17nmol/L,其中腐胺的平均浓度最高,亚精胺次之,精胺的浓度最低.从平面分布看,在4月份以中肋骨条藻为主的硅藻赤潮爆发期,和5月份以东海原甲藻为主的甲藻赤潮爆发期,赤潮爆发的区域多胺浓度相对较高;各个断面的多胺浓度随着赤潮爆发的过程发生变化,并且与DOC、POC、DON以及C/N等呈较明显的相关性.     

镧对UV-B胁迫下大豆幼苗类黄酮含量与抗氧化能力影响

为进一步认识La(Ⅲ)提高类黄酮含量及减轻UV-B辐射伤害植物机制,以大豆幼苗为材料,采用水培实验的方法研究了La(Ⅲ)对UV-B辐射胁迫下大豆幼苗类黄酮抗氧化能力的动态影响.结果表明, UV-B辐射(T1:0.15W·m-2和T2:0.45W·m-2)胁迫下,大豆幼苗类黄酮含量在胁迫期和恢复期均先升后降,质膜透性、MDA含量先升(1～5d)后降(6～11d),类黄酮对O·-2和·OH的清除率与其含量变化趋势近同.各处理组类黄酮含量La(Ⅲ) UV-B>UV-B>La(Ⅲ)>CK, La(Ⅲ) T1>La(Ⅲ) T2;质膜透性、MDA含量UV-B>La(Ⅲ) UV-B>CK>La(Ⅲ), La(Ⅲ) T2>La(Ⅲ) T1;类黄酮对O-2和·OH清除率La(Ⅲ) UV-B>UV-B>La(Ⅲ)>CK, La(Ⅲ) T1, La(Ⅲ) T2,表明La(Ⅲ)对类黄酮的调控作用,提高了清除活性氧自由基的运行效率,降低了MDA浓度,维持了质膜正常透性,且对低剂量(T1)的防护效果优于高剂量(T2),进而在防御系统层面实现了La(Ⅲ)对UV-B辐射伤害大豆幼苗的防护效应.     

模拟酸雨对水稻叶片质膜H~+-ATPase活性与矿质元素含量的影响

采用水培法研究模拟酸雨(p H=5.0、3.5、2.5)对水稻叶片质膜H+-ATPase活性与矿质元素含量的影响.结果显示:与对照(CK)相比,酸雨处理5 d(胁迫期)后,p H=5.0组质膜H+-ATPase活性与活化能、K+、Ca2+、Mg2+含量均无显著变化,仅细胞渗透势下降.p H=3.5酸雨导致细胞渗透势、K+含量下降,质膜H+-ATPase活性、H+-ATPase活化能、Ca2+含量明显上升,Mg2+含量无显著变化.p H=2.5组H+-ATPase活性、细胞渗透势和K+、Mg2+含量明显下降,H+-ATPase活化能和Ca2+含量上升,表明矿质元素含量不仅受H+-ATPase活性的调控,还与酸雨强度和离子价态有关.经5 d恢复(恢复期)后,p H=5.0组各指标均恢复到CK水平,p H=3.5组除细胞渗透势外均恢复至CK水平,p H=2.5处理组各指标虽未达到CK水平,但较胁迫期有所恢复.表明K+、Ca2+、Mg2+含量受H+-ATPase活性的调节,且恢复效果受酸雨强度影响.     

外源亚精胺缓解荇菜(Nymphoides peltatum)Cr6+毒害的生理研究

研究了不同浓度的Cr^6 胁迫下，荇菜叶中叶绿素含量、可溶性蛋白含量、O2^-产生速率、保护酶——超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性的动态变化及外施亚精胺后对上述各指标的影响．结果表明：(1)单一Cr^6 处理下，叶绿素和可溶性蛋白含量在Cr^6 浓度为1mg／L时达到最大值，而后迅速下降；外施亚精胺(Spd)可显著提高二者的含量，延缓它们的下降速度．(2)单一Cr^6 处理下，SOD、POD、CAT活性分别在2、4、2mg／L Cr^6 处理下达到最大值．而后下降；外施亚精胺可提高这三种保护酶的活性，使其上升或稳定时期变长，从而降低O2^-等活性氧的产生速率．由此可见外源亚精胺可缓解Cr^6 对荇菜的胁迫效应．     

Toxic effects of 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium bromide on the wheat seedlings

The toxic effects of 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium bromide ([C8mim]Br) on wheat seedlings were evaluated. Wheat seedlings were cultivated in aqueous solution with [C8mim]Br at di erent concentrations (0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 mg/L). The contents of photosynthetic pigment and proline, peroxidation of membrane lipid, and activities of antioxidation enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase) in leaves were measured on day 7 after treatment with [C8mim]Br. The results showed that [C8mim]Br significantly decreased the contents of photosynthetic pigments, activities of antioxidant enzymes in the wheat leaves and in dry weight of seedlings, while increased the proline content and membrane lipid peroxidation. The results suggested that [C8mim]Br can inhibit photosynthesis and lead to oxidative stress to wheat seedlings.     

UV-B辐射胁迫对大豆幼苗内源激素的影响

为了探索UV-B辐射胁迫对大豆幼苗内源激素的影响,试验以大豆幼苗为材料,采用水培实验的方法研究了UV-B辐射胁迫对大豆幼苗生长素(IAA)、生长素氧化酶(IAAO)、脱落酸(ABA)、赤霉素(GA)的影响.结果表明,UV-B辐射(T1:0.15W.m-2和T2:0.45 W.m-2)胁迫下,大豆幼苗IAAI、AAO、ABA、GA含量在胁迫期(1~5 d)和恢复期(6~11 d)分别呈现"先下降后有所回升"、"先升后降再升"、"先升后降"、"下降"趋势.进而从内源激素层面表明了UV-B辐射伤害大豆幼苗的机理效应。     

铜胁迫对黄芪幼苗的生理学毒性与凹凸棒黏土的缓解作用

为探究黄芪幼苗对铜离子（Cu²⁺）胁迫的耐性机理以及凹凸棒黏土对Cu²⁺污染的缓解作用,研究了不同浓度CuSO₄（2~20mmol/L）胁迫对黄芪幼苗的生理学毒性与凹凸棒黏土的缓解作用.结果表明,2mmol/L CuSO₄胁迫使得根系Cu²⁺含量、H₂O₂（过氧化氢）含量、MDA（丙二醛）含量分别较对照显著上升1.82倍、1.04倍、2.14倍.CuSO₄胁迫浓度达8mmol/L时,根系SOD（超氧化物歧化酶）活性、根尖膜损伤程度和叶片Cu²⁺含量分别较对照显著上升1.13倍、1.12倍和2.62倍;同时,叶片PS Ⅱ（光系统II）实际光化学效率[Y（II）]、光化学淬灭系数（qP）、PSⅡ电子传递速率（ETR）和叶绿素含量较对照分别显著降低22.88%、24.44%、21.49%和28.31%,而NPQ和qN（非光化学荧光猝灭系数）则较对照分别显著上升2.35倍和1.58倍.根系POD（过氧化物酶）和CAT（过氧化氢酶）活性、可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量在8mmol/L CuSO₄处理下达到最高值后呈下降趋势.CuSO₄浓度为15~20mmol/L时,根系APX活性和叶片光适应下PS II潜在最大光化学效率（F_v'/F_m'）,以及幼苗全株鲜重、全株干重、地下部鲜重、地下部干重较对照显著下降.在非CuSO₄胁迫条件下,基质中凹凸棒黏土的存在使得幼苗根系MDA含量较对照显著降低15.93%,但未对其它所测生理学指标产生显著影响;在20mmol/L CuSO₄胁迫条件下,基质中凹凸棒黏土的存在使得幼苗根系和叶片中Cu²⁺含量分别显著下降30.78%和23.12%;同时显著缓解了20mmol/L CuSO₄胁迫对根系活性氧水平、抗氧化酶活性、膜脂质过氧化程度、根尖膜损伤程度、可溶性蛋白和可溶性糖含量,叶片PS II光化学活性和叶绿素含量的不良影响,以及对幼苗生长的抑制作用.研究结果表明,培养基质中凹凸棒黏土的存在能够显著降低幼苗组织中Cu²⁺的生物有效性,继而缓解CuSO₄胁迫对黄芪幼苗的生理学毒性作用.