Investigation of arsenic accumulation and tolerance potential of Sesuvium portulacastrum (L.) L

Sesuvium portulacastrum (L.) L., a facultative halophyte, is considered a suitable candidate for the phytoremediation of metals. An investigation of As accumulation and tolerance was conducted in Sesuvium plants upon exposure to As(V) (100-1000 μM) for 30 d. Plants demonstrated a good growth even after prolonged exposure (30 d) to high As(V) concentrations (1000 μM) and a significant As accumulation (155 μg g⁻¹ dry weight) with a bioaccumulation factor of more than ten at each concentration. The results of shoot and root dry weight, malondialdehyde accumulation, photosynthetic pigments, and total soluble proteins demonstrated that plants did not experience significant toxicity even at 1000 μM As(V) after 30 d. However, metabolites (total non-protein thiols and cysteine) and enzymes (serine acetyltransferase, cysteine synthase and γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase) of thiol metabolism, in general, remained either unaffected or showed slight decline. Hence, plants tolerated high As(V) concentrations without an involvement of thiol metabolism as a major component. Taken together, the results indicate that plants are potential As accumulator and may find application in the re-vegetation of As contaminated sites.     

Phosphorus and cadmium interactions in Kandelia obovata (S. L.) in relation to cadmium tolerance

This study focused on the cadmium (Cd) tolerance of mangroves with application of phosphate (P) in order to explore whether exogenous P can alleviate Cd stress on these intertidal species. Kandelia obovata (S. L.) seedlings were cultivated in rhizoboxes under different levels of Cd and P concentrations. The speciation distributions of Cd in the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere sediments were examined by sequential extraction procedures; organic acid in plant tissues and soil solution was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography; Cd and P accumulation in the plants was also determined. Results showed that considerable differences existed in Cd speciation distributions between rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere sediments. Root activity influenced the dynamics of Cd, P application increased the organic acid content in root tissues, P also increased Cd accumulation in roots whilst lowering Cd translocation from root to the above-ground tissues, and a significant positive correlation was found between Cd and P in roots (r?=?0.905). It is postulated that Cd detoxification of K. obovata (S. L.) is associated with higher Cd immobilization in the presence of higher P and organic acid contents in root tissue.     

Melatonin and nitric oxide enhance cadmium tolerance and phytoremediation efficiency in Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - In this study, a pot experiment was performed to evaluate the effects of foliar spray with sodium nitroprusside (200 μM SNP) and melatonin (100...     

Effects of nitrogen dioxide on growth and yield of black turtle bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cv. 'Domino'

Twenty-six-day-old black turtle bean cv. 'Domino' plants were exposed to nitrogen dioxide (0.0, 0.025, 0.05 and 0.10 microl liter(-1)), 7 h per day for 5 days per week for 3 weeks, under controlled environment. Data were collected on net photosynthesis rate (PN), stomatal resistance (SR), and dark respiration rate (DR), immediately after exposure, 24 h after the termination of exposure and at maturity (when the leaves had just started turning yellow), using a LICOR 6000 Portable Photosynthesis System. Chlorophyll-a (Ch-a), chlorophyll-b (Ch-b), total chlorophyll (tot-Ch) and leaf nitrogen were measured immediately after exposure and at maturity. Growth characteristics-relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR), leaf area ratio (LAR) and root: shoot ratio (RSR)-were computed for treated plants. Net photosynthesis rate increased by 53% in 0.10 microl liter(-1) NO2 treated plants immediately after exposure compared to control plants. Dark respiration rates were also higher in treated plants. Ch-a, Ch-b and tot-Ch showed significant increases with 0.1 microl liter(-1) NO2 treatment immediately after exposure. Foliar nitrogen content showed an increase in treated plants both immediately after exposure and at maturity. Increases were also seen in RGR and NAR. Plant yield increased by 86% (number of pods), 29% (number of seeds) and 46% (weight of seeds), respectively. Nitrogen dioxide stimulated the overall plant growth and crop yield.     

Evaluation of primary and secondary treated and disinfected wastewater irrigation of tomato and cucumber plants under greenhouse conditions, regarding growth and safety considerations.

Tomato and cucumber seedlings were distributed into 10 groups (five for each plant) of 15 plants each. The plants were irrigated for 10 weeks with primary treated wastewater (group A), secondary treated wastewater (group B), chlorinated secondary treated wastewater (group C), a fertilizer dilution (group F), and tap water (group M). All precautions were taken to secure that there was no direct contact between the wastewater and the edible portions of the crops. During this period and on a weekly basis, the height and number of leaves was monitored, while, at the end, the dry weight of leaves, stems, and roots for each plant of each group was measured. Based on these growth parameters, both types of plant in groups A and F recorded the most significant development compared to the other three groups. The plants irrigated with tap water recorded the smallest development, in every case. Plants in groups B and C were similar, with a slight (but not significant) superiority for the plants irrigated with secondary treated wastewater, probably as a result of some phytotoxic effects of residual chloride in the chlorinated wastewater. The presence of nutrients and specifically nitrogen in the various solutions explains the differences satisfactorily. The vegetables grown on the plants of each group were harvested, and their surface tissue analyzed for total coliforms (TC) and enterococci (EC). Tomatoes grown on the plants of groups A and B recorded the highest values for TC, with 505 and 490 cfu/g, respectively, whereas, for cucumbers, those values were 342 and 450 cfu/g, respectively. Enterococci were detected on the surface of harvested vegetables from groups A and B, but the small number of cases and their random character cannot support any strong relations between the used wastewater and their presence. The TC values in group C were very low, far lower than those if group F. No EC were found in either group C or group F. These primary results suggested that irrigation with appropriate disinfected wastewater, even of such high-risk cultivations of vegetables eaten raw, should not be discarded completely as unsafe, but be reconsidered and studied further. However, the use of undisinfected wastewater in such greenhouse cultivations, where all safety precautions have been taken to prevent any contact of the fruits with the soil or the wastewater, does not prove to be 100% safe.     

Raw and fungal-treated olive-mill wastewater effects on selected parameters of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) growth--the role of proline

Olive-mill wastewater (OMW) constitutes a major agricultural waste stream for which disposal is associated with significant environmental repercussions. No data are available on the effects of biotreated OMW and of the protective role of exogenously provided proline on plant physiology. In the present study, OMW was administered, either raw or previously treated by the white-rot fungus Pleurotus ostreatus, with or without proline amendment, to lettuce plants growing in sterilized sand. Biotreated OMW and proline addition resulted in significant moderation of OMW adverse effects on plant biomass production and ascorbic acid content, while their synergistic action alleviated the severe negative impact on net photosynthetic rate, water use efficiency and photosynthetic activity (Fv/Fo) invoked by the effluent. Moreover, biotreated OMW supplemented with proline, moderated the decrease in chlorophylls exerted by raw OMW, but it did not contribute at restoring carotenoids content. Restoration of plant transpiration was complete when biotreated OMW was used (with or without proline); proline alone mitigated the negative impact of OMW on photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm and Fv'/Fm'). It seems that key photosynthetic parameters could be exploited as suitable evaluators of wastewater-induced plant toxicity, while plant fertigation with biotreated and/or supplemented OMW could be an interesting prospect in valorizing this effluent.     

Evaluation of kapok (Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn.) as a natural hollow hydrophobic-oleophilic fibrous sorbent for oil spill cleanup

Oil sorption capacity and hydrophobic-oleophilic characteristics of an agricultural product, kapok (Ceiba pentandra), was thoroughly examined. The kapok fiber has a hollow structure with large lumen. Its performance was compared with that of a polypropylene (PP), a widely used commercial oil sorbent for oil spill cleanup. The oils investigated were diesel, hydraulic oil (AWS46), and engine oil (HD40). Reusability of the kapok after application to various oils was also evaluated. Both loose (at its natural state) and densely packed kapok assemblies were examined. Sorption capacities of the packed kapok assemblies were very much dependent on their packing densities. At 0.02gcm(-3), its oil sorption capacities were 36, 43 and 45gg(-1) for diesel, ASW46 and HD40, respectively. The values decreased to 7.9, 8.1 and 8.6gg(-1) at 0.09gcm(-3). Its sorption capacities for the three oils were significantly higher than those of PP. When the oil-saturated kapok assemblies were allowed to drain, they exhibited high oil retention ability, with less than 8% of the absorbed diesel and HD40, and 12% of the absorbed AWS46 lost even after 1h of dripping. When applied on oil-over-water baths, the kapok exhibited high selectivity for the oils over the water; almost all oils spilled could be removed with the kapok, leaving an invisible oil slick on water. After the 4th cycle of reuse, the reused kapok assembly only lost 30% of its virgin sorption capacity if packed at 0.02gcm(-3), and the loss in sorption capacity was much less at higher packing densities. The hydrophobic-oleophilic characteristics of the kapok fiber could be attributed to its waxy surface, while its large lumen contributed to its excellent oil absorbency and retention capacity.     

The cytotoxic effect of wastewater from the phosphoric gypsum depot on common oak (Quercus robur L.) and shallot (Allium cepa var. ascalonicum)

The effect of wastewater from a phosphoric gypsum depot on common oak, Quercus robur L., at cytogenetical level was studied. Allium-test was used as a control. The treatment of common oak seedlings with wastewater under laboratory conditions caused mitodepressive effect. Chromosome aberrations and mitotic irregularities were found. Cytogenetic analysis of common oak seedlings grown from acorns collected near the depot did not show changes in mitotic activity in comparison to control but the number of aberrations was higher than in control. In comparison to Alliumtest common oak was found to be more tolerant to wastewater from the phosphoric gypsum depot.     

Bioaccumulation of lanthanum and cerium and their effects on the growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings

Through short-term exposure (7-d exposure), long-term exposure (16-d exposure) and exposure-recovery (7-d exposure + 9-d recovery), the bioaccumulation and distribution of La and Ce and their effects on growth of wheat seedlings were studied. Addition of La (0.5-25 mg/l) and Ce (0.5-25 mg/l) to the culture medium individually and in combination inhibited primary root elongation, reduced the dry weight of roots and shoots and the content of mineral elements (Ca, Mg, K, Cu, Zn). The damage increased with an increase in the concentrations of La and Ce in culture medium. Relative damage ratio increased with an increase in concentrations of La and Ce in the culture medium and with exposure time. Comparing exposure-recovery groups with long-term exposure groups, primary root lengths, dry weight of roots and shoots and the content of five mineral elements were higher. The accumulation of La and Ce in the seedlings was positively correlated with the concentrations of La and Ce in the culture medium and with exposure time. Bioaccumulation factors of La and Ce in roots were much higher than those of shoots. The uptake rates of La and Ce by the plants were much higher than the translocation rates from roots to shoots. The accumulation and distribution of La and Ce in the seedlings in exposure-recovery groups showed that there was very little excretion through metabolism during the recovery period, but redistribution occurred throughout the whole plant. No apparent selective uptake was found between La and Ce by the plants when they were applied in combination.     

Effect of landfill leachate irrigation on red maple (Acer rubrum L.) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) seedling growth and on foliar nutrient concentrations

Greenhouse experiments were conducted to investigate the nature and severity of stresses imposed on northern hardwood tree species (red maple (Acer rubrum L.) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.)) by the application of municipal landfill leachate. Red maple seedlings received applications of untreated and pretreated (lime, activated carbon) leachate, to both leaves and soil, at irrigation rates consistent with evapotranspirational demands. Plant height measurements indicated no significant growth effects arising from leachate application over a 7-week period. Stem diameter, however, was positively affected by applications of both untreated and lime-treated leachate diluted to 75% with deionized water. Iron foliar concentrations were significantly higher in seedlings irrigated with untreated leachate applied to leaves and soil, but not in seedlings where leachate was applied to soil only. Nitrogen foliar concentrations were substantially higher in seedlings receiving undiluted and untreated leachate applied to the soil only. The Cu concentration of the red maple foliage decreased appreciably in plants receiving moderate applications of leachate. Foliar Ca concentrations decreased notably in seedlings irrigated with untreated leachate applied to the soil and with diluted, carbon-treated leachate. The Cu concentration of the red maple foliage decreased appreciably in plants receiving applications of undiluted and 50% water-diluted lime-treated leachate while Mn levels were consistently high across all treatments. Leachate application did not cause any discernable changes in foliar concentrations of P, K, Mg, B or Zn. In an ancillary experiment, sugar maple seedlings were subjected to saturation/ drainage treatment cycles with undiluted and untreated leachate. Severe visible symptoms of vegetative stress were apparent within 24 h and 100% seedling mortality occurred after five such waterlogging cycles. Fe assimilation was apparent in both leachate treatments relative to the 24 h water treatment. Despite the short-term nature of the experiments, the results indicate how quickly forest vegetation may respond to altered chemical environments. This underscores the need for correct installation and control of leachate irrigation systems.     

Accumulation of potentially harmful elements (PHEs) in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) irrigated with wastewater: a systematic review and meta-analysis and probabilistic health risk assessment

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Water shortage and stress around the world lead to increasing wastewater reuse for the agricultural sector. In addition to its benefits, it can be a...     

Effects of scrubber by-product-stabilized dairy lagoon sludge on growth and physiological responses of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Brick manufacturing industries are challenged to comply with clean air mandates. Dry air scrubbers have been used to remove acid gases from the exhaust air from brick manufacturing plants. The use of dry air scrubbers results in the production of large quantities of an alkaline powder by-product. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the potential of using dairy lagoon sludge stabilized with the scrubber by-product as a soil amendment. Lagoon sludge was stabilized with scrubber by-product at an application rate of 20 gl(-1). The sludge-scrubber by-product mixture was applied to a sandy loam soil to provide amendments ranging between 28 and 168 kg of plant available nitrogen (PAN)/ha for the growth of Helianthus annuus (sunflower). Use of the sludge-scrubber by-product mixture as a nitrogen fertilizer did not adversely affect sunflower seedling emergence; however, significantly higher (p<0.05) plant volume indices, leaf area, dry shoot and root masses, and seed yields were obtained for mature plants grown in sludge-treated soil relative to the control or fertilizer treatment. The sludge amendment did not severely impact gas exchange or chlorophyll a fluorescence of the plants and nutrient content of the sunflower tissues was generally within a sufficient range. The increased growth and yield of sunflower plants indicated the potential of the sludge-scrubber by-product mixture as a soil amendment in agricultural crop production.     

Absorption and translocation of sulfometuron-methyl in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) at different growth stages

ABSTRACT

In Brazil, weed management in sugarcane fields is mainly done with the use of selective herbicide formulations. For many years, diuron+hexazinone was one of the main herbicide mixture formulations used in sugarcane. Later, sulfometuron-methyl was included in the same mixture, which was marketed as a new herbicide formulation for residual in-season weed control in sugarcane. The mixture diuron+hexazinone+sulfometuron-methyl has been widely used in commercial sugarcane fields in Brazil. However, recent field observations have shown that sugarcane plants at different growth stages varied in their phytotoxicity levels after treatment with diuron+hexazinone+sulfometuron-methyl. Greenhouse and laboratory studies were conducted to determine ¹⁴Csulfometuron-methyl absorption and translocation, as well as ¹⁴C distribution in sugarcane at two growth stages, 2 to 3 leaves and 5 to 6 leaves. ¹⁴Csulfometuron-methyl absorption by sugarcane did not differ between the two growth stages. Different patterns of ¹⁴C accumulation were observed, which may explain variations in sulfometuron-methyl phytotoxic responses observed in the field.     

Cadmium accumulation in and tolerance of rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties with different rates of radial oxygen loss

Cadmium (Cd) uptake and tolerance were investigated among 20 rice cultivars based on a field experiment (1.2 mg Cd kg⁻¹ in soil) and a soil pot trial (control, 100 mg Cd kg⁻¹), and rates of radial oxygen loss (ROL) were measured under a deoxygenated solution. Significant differences were found among the cultivars in: (1) brown rice Cd concentrations (0.11-0.29 mg kg⁻¹) in a field soil, (2) grain Cd tolerance (34-113%) and concentrations (2.1-6.5 mg kg⁻¹) in a pot trial, and (3) rates of ROL (15-31 mmol O₂ kg⁻¹ root d.w. h⁻¹). Target hazard quotients were calculated for the field experiment to assess potential Cd risk. Significant negative relationships were found between rates of ROL and concentrations of Cd in brown rice or straw under field and greenhouse conditions, indicating that rice cultivars with higher rates of ROL had higher capacities for limiting the transfer of Cd to rice and straw.     

Arsenite tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.) involves coordinated role of metabolic pathways of thiols and amino acids

Thiolic ligands and several amino acids (AAs) are known to build up in plants against heavy metal stress. In the present study, alteration of various AAs in rice and its synchronized role with thiolic ligand was explored for arsenic (As) tolerance and detoxification. To understand the mechanism of As tolerance and stress response, rice seedlings of one tolerant (Triguna) and one sensitive (IET-4786) cultivar were exposed to arsenite (0–25 μM) for 7 days for various biochemical analyses using spectrophotometer, HPLC and ICPMS. Tolerant and sensitive cultivars respond differentially in terms of thiol metabolism, essential amino acids (EEAs) and nonessential amino acids (NEEAs) vis-á-vis As accumulation. Thiol biosynthesis-related enzymes were positively correlated to As accumulation in Triguna. Conversely, these enzymes, cysteine content and GSH/GSSG ratio declined significantly in IET-4786 upon As exposure. The level of identified phytochelatin (PC) species (PC₂, PC₃ and PC₄) and phytochelatin synthase activity were also more pronounced in Triguna than IET-4786. Nearly all EAAs were negatively affected by As-induced oxidative stress (except phenylalanine in Triguna), but more significantly in IET-4786 than Triguna. However, most of the stress-responsive NEAAs like glutamic acid, histidine, alanine, glycine, tyrosine, cysteine and proline were enhanced more prominently in Triguna than IET-4786 upon As exposure. The study suggests that IET-4786 appears sensitive to As due to reduction of AAs and thiol metabolic pathway. However, a coordinated response of thiolic ligands and stress-responsive AAs seems to play role for As tolerance in Triguna to achieve the effective complexation of As by PCs.     

Influence of ozone and ethylenediurea (EDU) on growth and yield of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in open-top field chambers

Greenhouse and ambient air experiments have shown ethylene diurea (EDU) to be a strong and specific protective suppressant of ozone injury in plants. To examine how EDU affects plant responses to various ozone (O(3)) levels under controlled field conditions, Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Lit was treated with 150 ppm EDU every 14 days and exposed in open-top chambers to charcoal-filtered air (CF), nonfiltered air (NF) or two cf treatments with ozone added. The ozone treatments were proportional additions of one (CF1) and two (CF2) times ambient ozone levels. The mean ozone concentrations in the CF, NF, CF1 and CF2 treatments were 0.98, 14.1, 14.98 and 31.56 nl litre(-1). A two-way split plot ANOVA revealed that shoot dry weight was significantly reduced by ozone. EDU treatment was highly significant for leaf dry weight, root dry weight and shoot dry weight, but not for pod dry weight; leading to a higher biomass of EDU-treated plants. Ozone/EDU interactions were significant for root weight only, indicating that EDU reduced growth suppression by ozone. These results show that EDU action on plant biomass could be interpreted as a delay in senescence since EDU-treated plants showed a significant decreased biomass loss even in the CF treatment.     

Effects of chromium and nickel on germination and growth in tolerant and non-tolerant populations of Echinochloa colona (L.) Link

The tolerance of populations of a grass, Echinochloa colona, growing abundantly on chromite minewaste dumps, was tested in two separate experiments. Seed-based experiments indicate that the populations growing naturally on uncontaminated sites, germinated better in nutrient solutions without metal than those collected from minewaste dumps. Metal tolerance indices were greater in the plant populations derived from metal contaminated sites and better growth of these plants was noted on mine spoil soil-mix in the ratio of 1:1; the percentage of seed germination and the rate of seedling growth, however, declined in a soil compost containing 25% mine spoil and 75% uncontaminated (control) soil. Populations of Echinochloa colona occurring naturally on chromite mine spoils, therefore, appear to have developed metal tolerance. It is maintained by a balanced and stable genetic system built up and adjusted by natural selection. Such material is very suitable to be used in restoration work designed to produce an effective vegetation cover to improve the derelict land and to reduce erosion. This finding might be useful in revegetation programmes on metalliferous minewastes.     

Correction to: Accumulation of potentially harmful elements (PHEs) in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) irrigated with wastewater: a systematic review and meta-analysis and probabilistic health risk assessment

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-13115-1     

Effects of aluminium ion on root growth, cell division, and nucleoli of garlic (Allium sativum L.)

The effects of different concentrations of aluminium chloride on root growth, cell division, chromosome morphology and nucleoli in root tip cells of garlic (Allium sativum L.) were studied. The concentrations of aluminium chloride (AlCl(3)) used were 10(-5), 10(-4), 10(-3), 10(-2) and 10(-1) m. Aluminium chloride inhibited root growth and caused mitotic irregularities, including c-mitosis, anaphase bridges, and chromosome stickiness. Nucleolar material was extruded from the nucleus into the cytoplasm. Extrusion was observed in inner root meristem and root cap cells. The poisoning by Al(3+) of the root tip cells of Allium sativum may result from the uptake and accumulation of Al and inhibition of Ca uptake, distribution of physiological activities of calmodulin (CaM) and the inhibition of some enzyme reactions.