Trace element uptake in plants grown on fly ash amended soils

Four crop plants were grown in a greenhouse in soils amended with 0, 5, 10, and 20% by weight of coal combustion fly ash to evaluate potential trace element uptake by the vegetation. The leaves and stems from each plant were harvested and analyzed for As, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Mo, Pb, Se, Tl, and Zn content during early, middle, and late growth. The trace element data were statistically analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to determine whether the trace element uptake in the four crop plants differed significantly between the soil treatments, and to identify significant differences in trace element uptake through time. The results show that the amount of amended fly ash does not significantly influence the concentration of most trace elements in plant tissue, and that some concentrations actually decrease with time. Although this study did not find a significant increase in trace element uptake, care must be taken in a natural environment where plants may behave differently.     

不同pH与重金属Cd胁迫对紫穗槐萌发和幼苗生长的影响

为了探索紫穗槐修复酸性矸石山的机制,研究了含有0—20μmol.L-1CdCl2的不同pH(3.0—7.5)溶液对紫穗槐种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响.种子萌发结果表明,不同pH溶液处理对紫穗槐萌发率(约62%)和发芽势(约48%)无显著影响;当在不同pH(3.0—7.5)溶液中添加10—20μmol.L-1CdCl2时,10μmol.L-1Cd2+可促进种子萌发,20μmol.L-1Cd2+则抑制种子萌发.萌发露白的紫穗槐种子在不同pH溶液处理10 d时,幼苗的根长和株高在pH 4.5—5.0的酸性溶液最大,而在pH 3.0溶液中最小.添加CdCl2后,幼苗的根长变化趋势与单一pH结果一致,但均低于相应的pH.紫穗槐幼苗在单一pH与pH+10μmol.L-1CdCl2联合处理20 d时,株高和根长在pH 4.5—5.0溶液中最大,Cd可显著抑制幼苗根的生长.研究结果说明,pH 3.0—5.0酸性水不影响紫穗槐种子萌发,20μmol.L-1Cd显著抑制种子萌发;紫穗槐幼苗能耐pH 3.5—5.0酸性和10μmol.L-1Cd胁迫,为紫穗槐修复酸性矸石山提供了理论依据.     

三叶鬼针草对蚕豆根尖遗传毒性的研究

化感作用是外来植物成功入侵和快速扩散的机制之一,为了探讨入侵植物三叶鬼针草(Bidens pilosa L.)的化感作用机制,运用蚕豆根尖微核技术和植物切片技术,研究了不同质量浓度的三叶鬼针草水浸提液对蚕豆(Vicia faba L.)根尖细胞的遗传损伤和对根生长的影响。结果表明,三叶鬼针草水浸提液对蚕豆根尖细胞有丝分裂及生长产生不同程度的抑制和损伤,具有明显的遗传毒性。水浸提液对蚕豆根尖的影响存在显著的时间效应和质量浓度效应。经切片测量统计,水浸提液促进了成熟区细胞平周分裂,使根尖细胞层数增加;同时显著地抑制了细胞伸长,使根尖缩短,整体表现为使根尖加粗变短。三叶鬼针草水浸提液抑制了细胞有丝分裂的正常进行,并随着水浸提液质量分数的升高,分裂期细胞数目下降,微核率逐渐升高。本研究结果表明三叶鬼针草水溶性化感物质对植物的遗传稳定性及细胞形态结构具有一定的影响,三叶鬼针草的化感作用可能是其成功入侵的机制之一。     

Effect of rubber factory effluent on seed germination and seedling growth of Vigna radiatus L

Physico-chemical analysis of the rubber factory effluents revealed high amounts of total suspended and dissolved solids. Sulphate, phosphate, total nitrogen were also present in significant amounts. At higher concentration (above 50%) of effluent, the seed germination percentage was retarded. Diluted effluent (upto 50%) favoured seedling growth. Length of root system, shoot system and number of lateral roots were increased by low concentrations of effluent.     

UVR-induced toxicity of sludge and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on seed germination and seedling growth of Triticum aestivum L.

The depletion of the ozone layer and enhancement of solar radiation may exert an adverse influence on the ecosystem. Phototoxicity of sludge and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) under ultraviolet radiation (UVR) to seedling was studied. Seeds of wheat (Triticum aestivum) were planted in sludge and PAHs (anthracene (An), benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) and pyrene (Py)) with and without UVR. Toxicity of sludge increased in the presence of UVR in wheat. UVB radiation was found to be more hazardous than UVA radiation. Results demonstrated that An, BaP and Py induced phototoxicity at various concentrations (1–10?µg/mL) under UVA (1.5?mW/cm²) or UVB (1.08?J/cm²) exposure. The pattern of phototoxicity was An?>?Py?>?BaP to shoot length, root length, and fresh weight; chlorophyll, protein content, enzyme activity of catalase and α-amylase were reduced while the activity of superoxide dismutase and starch was enhanced. Reduction in seedling growth and biochemical parameters may be related to less photosynthesis, less nutritional uptake, and distortion of root cap. Thus, the synergistic effect may be due to alterations in photosynthesis, phytohormones, or nutritional uptake.     

Infectivity and efficacy of Glomus aggregatum and growth response of Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. in flyash amended sterile soil

In the present investigation a pot culture experiment was conducted using sterile, phosphorus deficient soil to study the effect of flyash at 3 different concentrations (10g, 20g and 30g flyash/kg soil) on the infectivity and effectiveness of VAM fungus Glomus aggregatum in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) cv Maruti. The flyash amendment in soil at all the 3 different concentrations was found to affect significantly the intensity of VAM fungal colonization inside the plant roots and also suppressed the formation of VAM fungal structure (vesicles and arbuscules) completely at higher concentration (30g flyash/kg soil). The response of the pigeonpea plants, as judged by their higher and dry weight, under the influence of flyash amendment in VAM fungus infested soils was found to be considerably less (though not significant enough) when compared to the control plants (without flyash) that have otherwise shown significant increase in growth over the plants without Glomus aggregatum inoculation. However, flyash amendment without VAM inoculation was also found to enhance the growth of plants as compared to control plants (without flyash and VAM inoculum).     

Soil organic matter and salinity affect copper bioavailability in root zone and uptake by Vicia faba L. plants

Processes that control the mobility, transformation and toxicity of metals in soil are of special importance in the root-developing zone. For this reason, there is a considerable interest in understanding trace elements (TEs) behavior in soil, emphasising the processes by which plants take them up. Increased root-zone salinity can affect plant TEs uptake and accumulation in plant tissue. Furthermore, copper (Cu) complexation by soil organic matter (SOM) is an effective mechanism of Cu retention in soils, controlling thus its bioavailability. Therefore, a greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of soil Cu contamination in a saline environment on faba bean (Vicia faba L.) element uptake. Treatment with NaCl salinity was applied (control, 50 mM NaCl and 100 mM NaCl) on faba bean plants grown in a control and in a soil spiked with Cu (250 and 500 mg kg^?1). Low and high SOM content trial variants were studied. Cu accumulation occurred in faba bean leaf, pod and seed. Cu contamination affected plant element concentrations in leaves (Na, Ca, Mg, Mn), pod (Zn, Mn) and seed (Mn, Mo, Zn). Root-zone salinity also affected faba bean element concentrations. Furthermore, Cu contamination—salinity and salinity—SOM interactions were significant for pod Cu concentration, suggesting that Cu phytoavailability could be affected by these interactions. Future research will be focused on the mechanisms of Cu translocation in plant and adaptation aspects of abiotic stress.     

Stress response to nanoplastics with different charges in Brassica napus L. during seed germination and seedling growth stages

● Higher concentrations of PS, PS-NH₂ and PS-SO₃H inhibited seed germination. ● PS, PS-NH₂ and PS-SO₃H influenced seedling growth in a dose-dependent manner. ● PS, PS-NH₂ and PS-SO₃H reduced essential nutrients uptake and plant quality. ● PS, PS-NH₂ and PS-SO₃H increased antioxidant enzyme activities and MDA content. ● Nanoplastic toxicity was related to surface charges. Nanoplastic pollution has become a significant problem in farmland systems worldwide. However, research on the effects of nanoplastics (NPs) with different charges on field crops is still limited. In our study, NPs with different charges, including unmodified polystyrene nanoplastics (PS), positively charged polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NH₂), and negatively charged polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-SO₃H), were investigated for their impacts on seed germination and seedling growth of rape. The results showed that seed water uptake (after 12 h), seed germination, seed vigour, and relative root elongation were all significantly reduced under exposure to NPs (200 mg/L). Similarly, remarkable decreases in plant biomass (root weight, shoot weight), growth (root length, plant height), photosynthesis ability (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids), essential nutrient uptake (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu), and plant quality (soluble protein, soluble sugar, crude fibre content) of rape seedlings were also observed after exposure to NPs. Among the three kinds of NPs, PS-NH₂ showed stronger effects. Moreover, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase activities of rape seedlings were changed, and the content of malondialdehyde was significantly increased under exposure to NPs. Furthermore, positively charged PS-NH₂ showed stronger effects on the phenotype, physiology, biochemistry, nutrient uptake, and plant quality of rape. Notably, a comprehensive toxicity evaluation revealed that PS-NH₂ had the strongest toxicity to rape. The present study provides important implications for the interaction and risk assessment of NPs and crops in soil-plant systems.     

Accumulation and translocation of heavy metals in soil and plants from fly ash contaminated area

The present investigation deals with the accumulation of heavy metals in fields contaminated with fly ash from a thermal power plant and subsequent uptake in different parts of naturally grown plants. Results revealed that in the contaminated site, the mean level of all the metals (Cd, Zn, Cr, Pb, Cu, Ni, Mn and Fe) in soil and different parts (root and shoots) of plant species were found to be significantly (p<0.01) higher than the uncontaminated site. The enrichment factor (EF) of these metals in contaminated soil was found to be in the sequence of Cd (2.33) > Fe (1.88) > Ni (1.58) > Pb (1.42) > Zn (1.31) > Mn (1.27) > Cr (1.11) > Cu (1.10). Whereas, enrichment factor of metals in root and shoot parts, were found to be in the order of Cd (7.56) > Fe (4.75) > Zn (2.79) > Ni (2.22) > Cu (1.69) > Mn (1.53) > Pb (1.31) > Cr (1.02) and Cd (6.06) approximately equal Fe (6.06) > Zn (2.65) > Ni (2.57) > Mn (2.19) > Cu (1.58) > Pb (1.37) > Cr (1.01) respectively. In contaminated site, translocation factor (TF) of metals from root to shoot was found to be in the order of Mn (1.38) > Fe (1.27) > Pb (1.03) > Ni (0.94) > Zn (0.85) > Cd (0.82) > Cr (0.73) and that of the metals Cd with Cr, Cu, Mn, Fe; Cr with Pb, Mn, Fe and Pb with Fe were found to be significantly correlated. The present findings provide us a clue for the selection of plant species, which show natural resistance against toxic metals and are efficient metal accumulators.     

Protective role of Ginkgo biloba on petroleum wastewater-induced toxicity in Vicia faba L. (Fabaceae) root tip cells

The Melet is one of Turkey's economically important rivers. Most of the petroleum plants are located at fairly nearby of the river This situation is considered as main source of heavy metal pollution in the river. The present study was designed to evaluate the protective role of Ginkgo biloba (GB) on cytotoxicity induced by petroleum wastewater in Vicia faba root tip cells. For this aim, we used the germination percentage, root length, weight gain and micronucleus (MN) frequency as indicators of cytotoxicity. Additionally to the cytological analysis, lipid peroxidation analyses were also performed in V. faba roots. Heavy metal concentrations in wastewater were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The V. faba seeds were divided into six groups. They were treated with petroleum wastewater and 10, 20 and 30 microM doses of GB. As a result, the mean concentrations of heavy metals in wastewater were observed in the order: Pb > A > Ni > Cr > Fe > Cu > Zn > Cd. The highest germination percentage was observed in the seeds of the control and positive control groups (in proportion as 98 and 96%, respectively). Wastewater treatment caused a significant decrease in the germination percentage of Group III (in proportion as 44%). The highest root length and weight gain were observed in the seeds of the control and positive control groups at the end of the experimental period. The least root length and weight gain were observed in the seeds of Group III treated with wastewater alone. In the control group, the final weights of all the seeds increased about 4.08 g according to initial weight. The root lengths of the control seeds were measured as 6.80 cm at the end of the experimental period. The final weights of the seeds exposed to wastewater alone increased about 0.90 g according to initial weight. Besides, there was a significantly increase in the MDA levels of the roots exposed to wastewater. Heavy metals in wastewater significantly affected the MDA production indicating lipid peroxidation. But, GB-treatment caused amelioration in indices of the germination percentage, root length, weight gain, MN frequency and lipid peroxidation when compared with group III. Each dose of GB provided protection against wastewater toxicity and its strongest protective effect observed at dose of 30 microM. In vivo results showed that GB is a potential protector against toxicity induced by petroleum wastewater and its protective role is dose-dependent.     

The investigation of cytotoxic effects of refinery wastewater on root tip cells of Vicia faba L

The present study was carried out to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of refinery wastewater collected from different stations of the Kizilirmak river on Vicia faba L. root tip cells. For this aim, we used the germination percentage, root length, weight gain and micronucleus (MN) frequency as indicators of cytotoxicity. Additionally to the cytological analysis, DNA analyses were performed in root tips meristems of Vicia faba seeds treated with refinery wastewater. Heavy metal concentrations in the water samples were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The concentrations of heavy metals in the water were in the order of Pb>Zn>Fe>Cu>Ni>Cd>Hg. The highest germination percantage was observed in the control group (in proportion as 96%). Heavy metals in the water samples collected from Station I, II and III caused a decrease in the germination percentage as 48, 18 and 30%, respectively. The highest root length and weight gain was observed in the control group at the end of the experimental period. The least root length and weight gain was observed in seeds treated with wastewater collected from Station I. In the control group, the weights of all the seeds increased about 4.08 g when compared with initial weight. The root lengths of the control seeds were determined as 6.38 cm at the end of the experimental period. The weights of the seeds exposed to wastewaters obtained from Station I, II and III increased about 1.08, 3.03 and 2.01 g according to initial weight, respectively. Microscopic examination of V. faba root tip meristem cells showed that any example of the MN formation was not seen in the control group. The highest frequency of MN was observed in group treated with wastewater collected from Station I and least frequency of MN was observed in group treated with wastewater collected from Station II. It was also observed that the yields of DNA in the seeds exposed to wastewater were lower than recorded in the controls. Hence, DNA yields exposed to wastewater were run ahead on agarose gel according to the control group. The results clearly indicate that refinery wastewater had important cytotoxic effects on V. faba root tip cells. It was also observed that V. faba seeds are very sensitive and useful biomarkers for monitoring these effects in waters contaminated with heavy metals.     

我国蚕豆根瘤菌的多样性和系统发育研究

采用数值分类、16S rDNA PCR-RFLP、IGS PCR-RFLP等方法对分离自我国11个省的50株蚕豆根瘤菌及11株参比菌株进行了表型测定和遗传型研究,同时对5株蚕豆根瘤菌的代表菌株进行了16S rDNA全序列测定.表型测定的结果表明,在80%的相似水平上供试菌株分为4个群,各群间存在地区交叉;16S rDNA PCR-RFLP的聚类结果与数值分类的聚类结果有很好的一致性;IGSRFLP反映的多样性更明显,形成的遗传群较多,可用于菌株间的鉴别.实验结果表明我国蚕豆根瘤菌具有极大的表型多样性和遗传多样性.系统发育研究结果表明,蚕豆根瘤菌的代表菌株均位于快生根瘤菌属(Rhizobium)系统发育分支,与R.leguminosarum USDA2370的全序列相似性达99.9%,说明蚕豆根瘤菌属于Rhizobium,系豌豆根瘤菌的一个生物型.图4表3参12     

Effects of gamma rays irradiation on seed germination and growth of hard wheat

The effects of irradiation with low doses (0, 10, 20 and 30 Gy) of radioactive cobalt (⁶⁰Co) γ rays on seed germination, shoot and epicotyl growth of hard wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) were investigated under laboratory and glasshouse conditions. Irradiated wheat seeds kept their germination speed and capacity levels compared to the control. However, improvements of +18 and +32% were, respectively obtained in root number and root length at the 20-Gy dose. Moreover, the 20-Gy-irradiation dose generated an increase of +33% in epicotyl length. The 20-Gy-irradiation dose improved the root length by +32% and root number by +75% in plants grown on liquid medium. A lower root length increase of +23% was obtained with the same treatment under glasshouse growing conditions. These results show that the in depth development stimulation of hard wheat roots following gamma ray treatment may be used for drought control.     

Stabilization of lead and copper contaminated firing range soil using calcined oyster shells and fly ash

A stabilization/solidification treatment scheme was devised to stabilize Pb and Cu contaminated soil from a firing range using renewable waste resources as additives, namely waste oyster shells (WOS) and fly ash (FA). The WOS, serving as the primary stabilizing agent, was pre-treated at a high temperature to activate quicklime from calcite. Class C FA was used as a secondary additive along with the calcined oyster shells (COS). The effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated by means of the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) and the 0.1 M HCl extraction tests following a curing period of 28 days. The combined treatment with 10 wt% COS and 5 wt% FA cause a significant reduction in Pb (>98 %) and Cu (>96 %) leachability which was indicated by the results from both extraction tests (TCLP and 0.1 M HCl). Scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDX) analyses are used to investigate the mechanism responsible for Pb and Cu stabilization. SEM–EDX results indicate that effective Pb and Cu immobilization using the combined COS–FA treatment is most probably associated with ettringite and pozzolanic reaction products. The treatment results suggest that the combined COS–FA treatment is a cost effective method for the stabilization of firing range soil.     

模拟氮沉降对大豆萌发和幼苗生长的影响

氮沉降是当今倍受关注的全球性环境问题.采用大田试验和室内培养的方法,研究大豆种子萌发和幼苗生长对氮沉降的响应.实验设4组处理(CK、T1、T2、T3),所施氮肥为NH4NO3,在室内培养实验中,4组处理的浓度分别为0、0.08、0.16、0.24mol/L.大田实验中,4组处理的氮施入量分别为0,50,100,150 kg·hm-2·a-1.结果表明:过量氮沉降对种子萌发有一定的抑制作用,降低了种子的发芽速度和发芽率;抑制了幼苗的生长速度,降低了植株的株高、叶面积和生物量,并减小了根冠比;随着氮施入量的增加幼苗的蒸腾速率逐渐降低,但叶片叶绿素含量逐渐增加.     

Activity of insect juvenile hormone III: seed germination and seedling growth studies

Summary. Juvenile hormones are sesquiterpenoids that regulate developmental processses such as metamorphosis and reproduction in insects. Insect juvenile hormone III (JH III), methyl-10R,11-epoxy-3,7,11-trimethyl-2E,6E-dodecadienoate, has also been identified in two sedge species, Cyperus iria and C. aromaticus (Toong et al. 1988). Potential allelopathic activity of this compound and the structurally related sesquiterpenoid farnesol was investigated using seed germination and seedling growth assays with radish, lettuce and rice. Treatment of seeds with JH III delayed lettuce seed germination and potently inhibited rice shoot growth. Both farnesol and JH III inhibited the growth of C. iria seedlings. The antimicrobial activity of JH III was also tested on a taxonomic and ecologically diverse range of fungi. Using the classic cytotoxic disk assay, JH III did not effect growth of the fungal species tested. We believe that JH III may contribute to the aggressive nature of this invasive weed species. Received 11 October 1999; accepted 26 February 2000     

模拟酸雨对薇甘菊种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响

薇甘菊是入侵性杂草,已在我国华南地区及云南部分地区造成严重危害。我国华南地区同时也是强酸雨分布区域。采用不同pH值的模拟酸雨对薇甘菊种子及幼苗进行处理,测定其对种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响。测定了不同pH值下薇甘菊幼苗叶绿素含量、丙二醛含量、脯氨酸含量、超氧阴离子产生速率、超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化物酶活性。结果表明,薇甘菊种子具有较强的耐酸能力,pH≥3．5时均能正常萌发,pH≤3．0时不能萌发。不同pH值模拟酸雨对薇甘菊幼苗叶绿素含量影响不显著。随着模拟酸雨pH值下降,超氧阴离子产生速率上升,丙二醛含量、脯氨酸含量、超氧化物歧化酶活性和过氧化物酶活性呈先上升后下降。pH3．5时,丙二醛含量、脯氨酸含量、过氧化物酶活性均达最大值;pH4．0时超氧化物歧化酶活性达最大值。结果表明薇甘菊对华南地区酸雨胁迫表现出适应。     

The fly ash influenced the heavy metal status of the soil and the seeds of sunflower. A case study

In this study, four cultivars of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) were grown in the sandy loam soil, supplemented with graded (v/v) quantity (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100%) of the fly ash, released by the combustion of the coal from the thermal power plant. The presence of fly ash in the soil increased its porosity, water holding capacity, pH, E.C., C.E.C., the content of sulphate, carbonate, bicarbonate, chloride, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and various trace elements. However, in the seeds, except Fe, Pb, Mn and Zn, and other heavy metals remained untraced up to 40% of the fly ash, above that their quantity slightly increased but the values are very much under the permissible limits.     

Studies on seed germination and growth in weed species of rice field under salinity stress

An investigation was made to see the salt tolerance of 10 weed species of rice. Properly dried and treated seeds of weed species were placed on 9 cm diameter petridishes lined with Whatman No. 1 filter paper under 6 salinity regimes, viz. 0 (control), 4, 8, 16, 24 and 32 dS m(-1). The petri dishes were then kept in germinator at 25 +/- 1.0 degrees C and 12 hr light. The number of germinated seeds were recorded daily. The final germination percentage, germination index (GI), seedling vigour index, mean germination time and time for 50% germination were estimated. Root and shoot lengths of the weed seedlings were measured at 20 days after salt application and relative growth values were calculated. Results revealed that salinity decreased final germination percentage, seed of germination as measured by GI, and shoot and root length in all the species. Germination of most of the weed seeds was completely arrested (0) at 32 dS m(-1) salinity except in E. colona (12%) and C. iria (13.9%). The species C. iria, E. colona, J. linifolia and E. crusgalli showed better germination (above 30%) upto 24 dS m(-1) salinity level and were regarded as salt-tolerant weed species. J. linifolia, F. miliacea, L. chinensis and O. sativa L. (weedy rice) were graded as moderately tolerant and S. zeylanica, S. grosus and C. difformis were regarded as least tolerant weed species.     

农药氰戊菊酯和三氟氯氰菊酯对蚕豆根尖细胞的遗传损伤

采用蚕豆根尖微核技术研究了农药氰戊菊酯、三氟氯氰菊酯对蚕豆根尖细胞的遗传损伤.测定了不同浓度氰戊菊酯、三氟氯氰菊酯(5×10-10～5×10-2g·L-1)诱导下的蚕豆根尖细胞微核率、有丝分裂指数和染色体畸变率.结果表明,氰戊菊酯、三氟氯氰菊酯均能诱发较高的微核率,在一定浓度范围内,微核率随两种农药处理浓度的升高而增加,但随着处理浓度的进一步升高微核率反而呈下降趋势;两种农药均可使蚕豆根尖细胞有丝分裂指数增大;并能诱导蚕豆根尖细胞产生较高频率、多种类型的染色体畸变.氰戊菊酯和三氟氯氰菊酯对蚕豆根尖细胞具有明显的遗传毒性.