Impact of cadmium toxicity on leaf area,stomatal frequency,stomatal index and pigment content in mungbean seedlings

Effect of different concentrations of CdSO4 (10(-4) M, 5 x 10(-4) M and 10(-3) M) on leaf area, stomatal frequency, stomatal index and pigment content in 6 days old mungbean seedlings was studied under laboratory conditions. Except at 10(-4) M CdSO4, leaf area decreased with an increase in the concentration of CdSO4. Stomatal frequency on the leaf surface increased at 5 x 10(-4) M and 10(-3) M CdSO4 in comparison to untreated control. However, reverse was the case for stomatal index. Chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, total chlorophyll, and chlorophyll a/b ratio were increased at 10(-4) M CdSO4, and decreased thereafter with an increase in the concentration of Cd2+. Possible reasons for the stimulatory effect at low concentrations and inhibitory effect with higher concentrations are discussed.     

Amelioration of arsenic toxicity by phosphate salts in mungbean seedlings

Sodium arsenate (Na2HAsO4.7H2O) is a potent inhibitor of mungbean seed germination and seedling growth. Germination is totally stopped at or above 50 microM Na2HAsO4.7H2O. Inhibition of seedling elongation started at a lower concentration of 5 microM As(V) and was drastically reduced at 20 microM As(V). Nutrients like salts of macroelements viz., NaH2PO4.2H2O, KH2PO4, K2SO4, MgSO4.7H2O, CaCl2.2H2O, (NH4)2SO4 NH4NO3 solutions at a concentration of 10mM and microelements viz., ZnSO4, CuSO4.5H2O, Na2MoO4.2H2O, MnCl2.4H2O, CoCl2.6H2O, FeSO4.7H2O solutions at a concentration of 1mM could help to ameliorate the toxic effects of As(V) to different degrees. Amelioration of As(V) toxicity was possible only when the mungbean seeds were pretreated with the above mentioned nutrients for 24 hr and then transferred to sodium arsenate. Simultaneous treatment of nutrients with As(V) or using nutrient solutions following As(V) treatment were of no help to reverse the toxic effects of sodium arsenate.     

Differential effect of cadmium and mercury on growth and metabolism of Solanum melongena L. seedlings

The present investigation reports the results of the effect of cadmium and mercury individually on seed germination, seedling growth, number of lateral roots, fresh and dry weights and seedling metabolism in Solanum melongena. Effect of different concentrations of these two heavy metals (Cadmium--50, 100, 300, 500, 700, 1000, 3000, 5000, 7000 and 9000 ppm and Mercury--5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 ppm) and durations for 6, 12 and 24 h were employed for all seedling parameters of brinjal. Both Cd and Hg showed drastic effects at high concentrations and longer duration with regard to seedling growth and metabolism.     

Effect of manganese toxicity on pigment content,Hill activity and photosynthetic rate of Vigna radiata L. Wilczek seedlings

Effect of different concentrations, viz. 10(-4) M, 5 x 10(-4) M, 10(-3) M and 5 x 10(-3) M of manganese sulphate (MnSO4, 7H2O) on chlorophyll, carotenoid pigment content and photosynthesis of mungbean seedlings was examined Progressive increase in manganese sulphate concentration upto 5 x 10(-3) M brought about a progressive decrease in total chlorophyll and chl a content. Chl b content changed very little by excess manganese treatment. Total carotenoid pigment content decreased considerably in comparison to control with every concentration of manganese sulphate tried here. Hill activity of chloroplasts isolated from leaves of mungbean seedling and rate of photosynthesis in terms of CO2 uptake showed progressive reduction along with the increase in concentration of the manganese.     

In vivo studies on the effect of Ocimum sanctum L. leaf extract in modifying the genotoxicity induced by chromium and mercury in Allium root meristems

In vivo cytogenetic assay in Allium cepa root tip cells has been carried out to detect the modifying effect of Ocimum sanctum aqueous leaf extract against chromium (Cr) and mercury (Hg) induced genotoxicity. It was observed that the roots post-treated with the leaf extract showed highly significant (p < 0.001) recovery in mitotic index (MI) and chromosomal aberrations (CA) when compared to pre-treated (Cr/Hg) samples and the lower doses of the leaf extract were found to be more effective than higher doses. The present study reveals that the Ocimum sanctum leaf extract possesses the protective effect against Cr/Hg induced genetic damage.     

水杨酸对铅胁迫下黄瓜幼苗叶片膜脂过氧化的影响

以黄瓜幼苗为材料,研究了外源水杨酸对铅胁迫下黄瓜幼苗叶片膜脂过氧化的影响。结果表明:水杨酸使铅胁迫的黄瓜幼苗叶片的丙二醛(MDA)含量下降,可溶性蛋白质含量升高,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性降低;在0~1 mmol.L-1范围内的外源SA对铅胁迫的黄瓜幼苗叶片的丙二醛含量下降量和超氧化物歧化酶活性增加量与水杨酸处理浓度呈正相关,与外源水杨酸处理浓度呈正相关,而过氧化物酶活性增加量与外源水杨酸浓度呈负相关。外源水杨酸的作用可能是通过提高黄瓜叶片对膜脂过氧化的抗性来提高黄瓜幼苗对铅毒害的耐受力。     

Solubilisation effect of spent wash on oxide-ores of manganese and iron

Samples of iron ore (haematite) and manganese ore (pyrolusite) of known compositions were equilibrated with aliquots of analysed sample of spent wash. The concentrations of iron(II), iron(III), complexed iron, manganese(II) ions and complexed Mn-ions were determined after increasing durations. One litre of the spent wash was found to extract out 141 mg of total iron and 161 mg of total manganese. In case of iron, the predominance was of iron(II) (92%), whereas in case of manganese it was of the complexed form (95%).     

Rice seedlings under cadmium stress: effect of silicon on growth,cadmium uptake,oxidative stress,antioxidant capacity and root and leaf structures

In this study, the effect of silicon (Si) addition on cadmium (Cd) toxicity in rice seedlings was investigated. After a series of screening experiments, 50 μmol·L^?1 of Cd and 10 μ mol·L^?1 of Si were selected. Treatment of rice seedlings with Cd (50 μ mol·L^?1) resulted in significant accumulation of this metal in roots and shoots. The data revealed that accumulation of Cd resulted in oxidative stress in rice seedlings as evidenced by increased accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and malondialdehyde (MDA; a peroxidation product of lipids). However, addition of Si (10 μ mol·L^?1) together with Cd prevented accumulation of Cd, H₂O₂ and MDA. Antioxidant capacity was decreased by Cd but enhanced by Si addition. Cd decreased the length and frequency of root hairs, stomatal frequency, and distorted leaf mesophyll cells and vascular bundles. However, addition of Si together with Cd reduced these abnormalities. The results showed that addition of exogenous Si protected rice seedlings against Cd toxicity by preventing Cd accumulation and oxidative stress (H₂O₂ and MDA accumulation) by increasing Si accumulation and antioxidant capacity, which maintained the structure and integrity of leaf and root.     

Effects of copper on chlorophyll, proline, protein and abscisic acid level of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seedlings

The effect of copperchloride (CuCl2) on the level of chlorophyll (a+b), proline, protein and abscisic acid in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seedlings were investigated Control and copper treated (0.4, 0.5 and 0.6 mM) seedlings were grown for ten days in Hoagland solution. Abscisic acid content was determined in root, shoot and leaf tissues of seedlings by HPLC. Copper stress caused significant increase of the abscisic acid contents in roots, shoots and leaves of seedlings. The increase was dependent on the copper salt concentration. Enhanced accumulation of proline in the leaves of seedlings exposed to copper was determined, as well as a decrease of chlorophyll (a+b) and total protein (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). It was observed that the level of chlorophyll (a+b) and total protein (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01) remarkably decreased as copper concentration increased to 0.6 mM, although the levels of proline and abscisic acid in the leaves of plants were increased--a dose-depended behavior The same trends were also observed with the level of abscisic acid of stems and roots. Copper has dose- depended effects on chlorophyll, proline, protein and abscisic acid level of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seedlings. Thus, we assumed that copper levels increase above some critical points seedling growth get negative effects. This assumption is in line with previous findings.     

镉对花生苗期的毒害效应及其品种间差异

重金属在籽粒中的积累与植物对镉的生物学耐性和吸收特性有一定的内在联系。本研究通过比较不同花生（Arachis hypogaea L.）品种对镉胁迫的生物学耐性,旨在为进一步揭示花生籽粒镉积累的种内差异形成机制提供实验参数。在人工气候箱控制环境下的含镉的营养液砂培试验中,花生苗期对镉胁迫的反应具有显著的品种间遗传差异。基于植株生物量变化,可将花生的镉胁迫反应分为3种类型,即镉钝感型,品种有平度01、花育23和莱农13;敏感型,品种有中花4号、花育20、丰花3号、莱农29、豫花15和祁阳小籽;普通型,品种有湘农3010-w、湘农312、湘农55、丰花2号和湘农小果w2-7等。钝感型品种在5个加Cd水平下的茎叶干物量比对照平均降低22.8%,全株生物量平均降低11.7%;敏感型品种茎叶干物量平均降低38.0%,全株生物量降低29.2%;普通型品种茎叶干物量平均降低33.2%,全株生物量降低25.1%。随着Cd质量浓度提高和暴露时间延长,花生叶片的叶绿素质量分数显著降低,叶片和根系丙二醛质量分数及细胞膜透性显著提高,与钝感型品种相比,敏感型品种的上述生理指标变化速率较高,而且随着镉暴露时间延长,两者之间的差异性持续扩大。     

Effects of manganese waste on growth,nodulation, proline levels,and enzymatic activities in Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.

Phytoremediation studies were carried out on the waste of Kalakhunta manganese (Mn) mines located in Banswara, Rajasthan, which is rich in Mn and iron. Various treatments, including the addition of soil, farmyard manure, sawdust, and biogas slurry, as well as differing quantities of NPK and capping with 10% soil were undertaken to ameliorate the effects of inhospitable waste. The effect of unamended and variously treated amended waste was studied on the growth, nodulation, yield, leaf area, and enzymatic activity of the test plants to ascertain the degree of toxicosis that plants may encounter during the process of phytostabilization. The levels of proline and activities of polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase, acid phosphatase, and nitrate reductase were affected by the treatments applied. Data showed that addition of 10% soil + 3 NPK is the most suitable treatment for the purpose of revegetation of Mn-mine waste, as the plants displayed the highest growth under this treatment condition.     

温度对芦苇不同部位分解动态的影响

研究温度对芦苇不同部位分解动态的影响,结果表明,温度促进了各部分分解速度,在5、15和25℃下,7个月后叶片干物质剩余率为75%、64%和55%,茎秆为80%、68%和61%,茎鞘为83%、80%和74%.从5℃到25℃,叶片、叶鞘和茎秆分别多分解了20%、19%和9%,表明温度对各部分分解的影响存在差异.进一步由Q10可以看出,从5℃到15℃再到25℃,叶片、茎鞘和茎秆的Q10分别为1.3860和1.3059,1.5582和1.2602,1.141 2和1.2746.成分不同可能是引起这种差异的重要原因,此结果对于预测未来生态系统中C循环等生态过程具有重要意义.     

Effect of kinetin on leaf protein content and its profile in mung bean under salt stress

Application of NaCl resulted in about 67% reduction in amino acid content and 24% reduction in buffer soluble protein content in mung bean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek.] leaf as compared with the control. Gel electrophoretic profile of buffer soluble protein content in leaf of mung bean showed an extra band in between 29 kD and 45 kD in stress protein profile as compared with control. It was noted that the foliar spray of kinetin (6-furfuryl aminopurine) used in the present study was able to overcome up to certain extent the adverse effects of stress caused by NaCl.     

Physiological and metabolic effect of mercury accumulation in higher plants system

Heavy metals, lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) are non-essential elements. Plants absorb these metals from soil, water and air through their roots and leaves. Heavy metals are the major environmental pollutants, which spread to soil through the use of pesticides, herbicides and micronutrient fertilizers, industrial effluents, decay of junk materials and sewage sludge, vehicular emissions, re-suspended road dust, diesel generator sets and coal-based thermal power plants. Sewage and sludge have contributed to heavy metal contamination of peri-urban lands and vegetable crops. The present review focuses on the effects of various concentrations of Hg on growth of young and mature seedlings as well as on nitrate reductase activity and nitrate assimilation in intact and excised seedling, especially the mechanism underlying nitrate reductase regulation by this heavy metal. Evidence indicates that mercury exerts significant adverse effects on the physiological activity of plants.     

湖南烟区烤烟锌含量与土壤有效锌的分布特点及关系分析

采用野外调查和室内分析相结合的方法,研究了湖南烟区烤烟锌含量与土壤有效锌含量的分布特点及关系。结果表明,(1)湖南烟叶锌含量总体适宜,平均为(36.30±14.05)mg·kg-1,变幅为10.50~100.50mg·kg-1;调查区域内有92.58%的烟叶样本锌含量落在20.00~80.00mg·kg-1区间内;不同等级烟叶锌含量的规律是:B2F>C3F>X2F。(2)湖南植烟土壤有效锌含量适中,平均为(2.27±3.74)mg·kg-1,变幅为0.13~62.59mg·kg-1,变异系数高达155.09%;有22.41%的土壤样本在不同程度上缺锌(≤1.00mg·kg-1),有7.36%的样本的有效锌含量超过4.00mg·kg-1,满足优质烟生长的土壤样本达到70.23%;不同土壤类型有效锌含量的变化规律是:鸭屎泥>黄泥田>黄灰土>黄壤土。(3)烟叶锌含量与土壤有效锌含量呈极显著正相关,相关系数为0.312;与土壤有效铜、有效铁和有效硫均呈极显著正相关,与土壤pH值、有效钾和水溶性氯均呈显著负相关。(4)在土壤有效锌含量分组后,不同等级烟叶锌含量均随着土壤有效锌含量的增加,而呈现先增加后下降的趋势,且各等级烟叶锌含量在组间差异达到5%的显著水平。     

Individual and combined effects of Ca/Mg ratio and water on trait expression in Mimulus guttatus

Low Ca/Mg ratios (a defining component of serpentine soils) and low water environmental conditions often co-occur in nature and are thought to exert strong selection pressures on natural populations. However, few studies test the individual and combined effects of these environmental factors. We investigated the effects of low Ca/Mg ratio and low water availability on plant leaf, stem, stolon, and floral traits of Mimulus guttatus, a bodenvag species, i.e., a species that occurs in serpentine and non-serpentine areas. We quantified genetic variation and genetic variation for plasticity for these leaf, stem, stolon, and floral traits at three hierarchical levels: field-habitat type, population, and family, and we evaluated the relative importance of local adaptation and plasticity. We chose two populations and 10 families per population from four distinct field "habitat types" in northern California: high Ca/Mg ratio (non-serpentine) and season-long water availability, high Ca/Mg ratio and seasonally drying, low Ca/Mg ratio (serpentine) and season-long water availability, and low Ca/Mg ratio and seasonally drying. Seedlings were planted into greenhouse treatments that mimicked the four field conditions. We only detected genetic variation for stem diameter and length of longest leaf at the field-habitat level, but we detected genetic variation at the family level for nearly all traits. Soil chemistry and water availability had strong phenotypic effects, alone and in combination. Our hypothesis of an association between responses to low water levels and low Ca/Mg ratio was upheld for length of longest leaf, stem diameter, corolla width, and total number of reproductive units, whereas for other traits, responses to Ca/Mg ratio and low water were clearly independent. Our results suggest that traits may evolve independently from Ca/Mg ratios and water availability and that our focal traits were not simple alternative measures of vigor. We found genetic variation for plasticity both at the field-habitat type and family levels for half of the traits studied. Phenotypic plasticity and genetic variation for plasticity appear to be more important than local adaptation in the success of these M. guttatus populations found across a heterogeneous landscape in northern California. Phenotypic plasticity is an important mechanism maintaining the broad ecological breadth of native populations of M. guttatus.     

Cadmium and manganese flux in eelgrass Zostera marina II. Metal uptake by leaf and root-rhizome tissues

Cadmium and manganese radionuclide uptake by Zostera marina L. tissues and translocation between rootrhizomes and leaves was examined. Cadmium concentrations in root-rhizomes increased with incubation time but appeared to reach saturation levels at 24 h of exposure. Translocation of cadmium between root-rhizomes and leaves occurred in both directions. A greater flux of cadmium downward suggested that root-rhizomes were a cadmium sink. Cadmium flux in either direction could be enhanced by a salt gradient. Cadmium appears to move through eelgrass by diffusion or mass flow through vascular tissues and apparent free spaces. Manganese is less mobile but is more readily fixed by leaves. Manganese mobility is not enhanced by salt gradients. Incorporation of cadmium and manganese into root-rhizomes from labelled anoxic sediments was several orders of magnitude less than that from labelled anoxic seawater media.This research was supported by grants to B. H. Brinkhuis from the New York Sea Grant Institute and the Nassau-Suffolk Regional Planning Board, and by a Jessie Smith-Noyes Fellowship and Sigma Xi grant to W. F. PenelloMarine Research Center Contribution No. 248     

盐胁迫下硅对黄瓜叶片抗氧化酶活性和膜脂过氧化物的影响

采用无土盆栽试验方法,研究了轻度和重度盐(NaCl)胁迫下,硅对黄瓜Cucumis sativus L.叶片超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶活性(CAT)活性及丙二醛(MDA)的含量的影响.施硅量设置5个水平,分别为0.0、0.1、0.2、0.3、0.4 g SiO2·kg-1基质;钠盐(NaCl)胁迫设置轻度(每kg基质2.0 g)和重度(每kg基质5.0 g)胁迫两个水平.结果表明:硅显著提高了黄瓜叶片抗氧化酶(SOD、POD、CAT)活性,与不施硅的盐分胁迫处理相比,SOD活性提高了3.65%～130.1%,POD活性提高了11.7%～85.9%,CAT活性提高了44.6%～117.1%;MDA含量显著降低了1.0%～25.8%.施硅量相同,重度盐分胁迫处理SOD、POD、CAT活性低于轻度盐分胁迫,MDA含量高于轻度胁迫处理.相同盐分胁迫下,施硅量愈大,SOD、POD、CAT活性愈高,MDA含量愈低;轻度盐分胁迫条件下,硅对SOD、POD、CAT活性的提升作用大于重度盐分胁迫.以上结果说明硅对黄瓜叶片抗氧化酶活性和膜质过氧化物的影响与施硅量和盐分胁迫程度密切相关.     

Metalaxyl effect on nitrogenase activity (acetylene reduction) and yield of mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) wilzek)

In an experiment, application of different levels of metalaxyl to a sandy loam soil significantly affected the nodulation and nitrogenase activity of mungbean. In both the compost amended and unamended soils, 0.5 mg kg(-1) of metalaxyl enhanced acetylene reduction activity and yield of mungbean, where as higher concentrations (1 mg and 2.5 mg kg(-1) of fungicide) inhibited the nodulation traits as well as economic traits of mungbean.