Effect of lead on growth and nitrate assimilation of Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek seedlings in a salt affected environment

The inhibition of seedling growth and nitrate reductase activity in 5 d old Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek cv. Pusa Baisakhi in the presence of 1.0 mM lead acetate increased drastically, if NaCl (6 and 12 EC) was also present in the nutrient media along with the metal salt. Correspondingly higher endogenous Na+ levels were accumulated in the roots and leaves of seedlings in presence of the two stresses. On the other hand, the levels of endogenous lead get reduced in presence of NaCl in both the roots and leaves. Roots accumulated more Pb2+ and Na+ than the leaves. The two stresses affect more drastically in the additive or even synergistic manner during the early growth phase of the seedlings.     

Management of Lignite Fly Ash for Improving Soil Fertility and Crop Productivity

Lignite fly ash (LFA), being alkaline and endowed with excellent pozzolanic properties, a silt loam texture, and plant nutrients, has the potential to improve soil quality and productivity. Long-term field trials with groundnut, maize, and sun hemp were carried out to study the effect of LFA on growth and yield. Before crop I was sown, LFA was applied at various doses with and without press mud (an organic waste from the sugar industry, used as an amendment and source of nutrients). LFA with and without press mud was also applied before crops III and V were cultivated. Chemical fertilizer, along with gypsum, humic acid, and biofertilizer, was applied in all treatments, including the control. With one-time and repeat applications of LFA (with and without press mud), yield increased significantly (7.0–89.0%) in relation to the control crop. The press mud enhanced the yield (3.0–15.0%) with different LFA applications. The highest yield LFA dose was 200 t/ha for one-time and repeat applications, the maximum yield being with crop III (combination treatment). One-time and repeat application of LFA (alone and in combination with press mud) improved soil quality and the nutrient content of the produce. The highest dose of LFA (200 t/ha) with and without press mud showed the best residual effects (eco-friendly increases in the yield of succeeding crops). Some increase in trace- and heavy-metal contents and in the level of γ-emitters in soil and crop produce, but well within permissible limits, was observed. Thus, LFA can be used on a large scale to boost soil fertility and productivity with no adverse effects on the soil or crops, which may solve the problem of bulk disposal of fly ash in an eco-friendly manner.     

Distribution of metals in aquatic edible plants: Trapa natans (Roxb.) Makino and Ipomoea aquatica Forsk

Most of the water bodies being used for the cultivation ofedible aquatic plants (Trapa natans and Ipomoeaaquatica) in Lucknow district, U.P., India, were found to becontaminated with a variety of toxic metals (Fe, Cu, Cr, Mn andPb). The concentration of metals Cr, Pb and Fe in water was muchhigher than recommended permissible limits of WHO (1995). Theedible parts of these plants bioconcentrated metals from theirsurrounding water significantly. Therefore, the present studywas planned to assess the metal concentration in edible part ofplants which was collected from various water bodies used forcultivation of these crops. Despite varying levels of metalsfound in various fruit parts of T. natans, the metalaccumulation in kernel was alarming. However, metal contentdecreased significantly in various parts after boiling thefruit. Similarly, I. aquatica also accumulatedsignificantly higher amounts of these metals in leaves, howeverthe metal accumulating potential varied considerably dependingupon level of metal contamination in the water body in which they were growing. The importance of these findings in theexploitation of these aquatic crops to meet the demand of foodand health perspectives for human beings is highlighted.     

Metal biomonitoring in water resources of Eastern Ghats,Koraput (Orissa), India by aquatic plants

Biomonitoring of toxic metals in the water resources used by indigenous tribal communities in Koraput district, Orissa, India was carried out under the National Technology Mission Project. Most of the water bodies catering for the day-to-day needs of the local inhabitants were found to contain high concentrations of Fe and Mn in addition to Cr, Cd, Pb and Cu. The water bodies supported by a great number of phytodiversity and the plants growing therein accumulated significantly high amounts of these toxic metals, submerged plants being more efficient than floating ones. The species like Chara corallina and Spirogyra spp. showed significant potential to magnify Cd and Pb in their tissue several times more than the concentrations in surrounding water. The levels of metals in the plants occurring at places where the metal content is very high could be used for indicating the status of water.NBRI Research Publication No. (437) NS.     

Hepatitis A Outbreak in Europe: Imported Frozen Berry Mix Suspected to be the Source of At least One Infection in Austria in 2013

We tested 19 sera from Austrian patients with acute hepatitis A. A serum from a 48-year-old female patient yielded HAV-nucleic acid that showed 99.7 % homology to the HAV-sequence obtained from samples taken during the current outbreak in several European countries, which is associated with consumption of frozen berries. So far, Austria was considered not to be affected by this hepatitis A outbreak.     

A Comparative Validation of the RAM and Modified SAI Models for Short Term SO2 Concentrations in Detroit

The RAM model provided by the U.S. EPA has been applied to the metropolitan Detroit area for SO₂ concentrations and is compared to concentrations predicted by a numerical model and to field data obtained by the 14 station air sampling network maintained by the Wayne County Air Pollution Control Division. Great care was taken to develop the emission inventory. Based upon examination of the temporal and spatial correspondence of the respective model predictions and observed concentrations, the correlation coefficients for the 24-hour averaged data, the correlation coefficients for over 700 3-hour averaged observations, and the cumulative frequency distributions of the model output and observations, it is concluded that the numerical model provides a superior predictive tool to evaluate cause and effect relations, but that the RAM model, at far lower cost, predicts the correct magnitude of the worst events. Hence RAM might well be used in the Detroit Area for statistically based regulatory decisions.     

Effect of iron on lipid peroxidation, and enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants and bacoside-A content in medicinal plant Bacopa monnieri L

The effect of Fe was investigated in medicinally important plant, Bacopa monnieri L. and the response on malondialdehyde (MDA) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) was found different in roots and leaves of the metal treated plants. Iron induced stress was observed as indicated by high level of lipid peroxidation, being more steep increase in leaves than roots. In roots, SOD activity was found to increase in metal treated plants except 80 and 160 microM at 72 h, whereas, it decreased in leaves except 10 and 40 microM after 48 h as compared to their respective controls. Among H2O2 eliminating enzymes, POD activity increased in roots, however, it decreased in leaves except at 10 and 40 microM Fe after 48 h as compared to control. At 24 and 48 h, APX activity and ascorbic acid content followed the similar trend and were found to increase in both parts of the metal treated plants as compared to their respective controls. The level of cysteine content in the roots increased at initial period of exposure; however, no marked change in its content was noticed in leaves. In both roots and leaves, non-protein thiol content was found to increase except at higher metal concentrations at 72 h. The data of proline content have shown significant (p<0.01) increase at 40 microM onwards in both part of the plants after 48 and 72 h. Correlation coefficient was evaluated between metal accumulations with various parameters and also between different antioxidant parameters with MDA. Since the level of bacoside-A (active constituent) content in metal treated plants increases, therefore, it is advisable to assess the biological activity of the plants before using for medicinal purposes, particularly in developing countries.     

Translocation of metals from fly ash amended soil in the plant of Sesbania cannabina L. Ritz: effect on antioxidants

The plants of Sesbania cannabina Ritz grown on different amendments of fly ash (FA), have shown a high accumulation of metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb and Ni). The highest accumulation of Fe the and lowest level of Ni were recorded in these plants. The different amendments of fly ash with garden soil (GS) were extracted with DTPA and the levels of metals were found to be decreased with an increase in fly ash application ratio from 10% to 50% FA. The analysis of the results showed an increase in the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) content of the roots for all the exposure periods. The maximum increases of 136% (roots) and 120% (leaves) were observed in MDA content at 100% FA after 30 d of growth of the plant, compared to GS. The level of antioxidants was found to increase for all the exposure periods in the roots of the plants to combat metal stress. At 30 d, the maximum increase of 57% (ascorbic acid) and 78% (free proline) was observed in the roots of the plants grown on 100% and 10% FA, respectively, as compared to their respective GS. At 90 d, a maximum increase of 42% (cysteine) and 117% (NPSH) was recorded in the roots of the plants grown on 25% and 100% FA, respectively, as compared to their respective GS. In leaves, a significant increase in antioxidants i.e. cysteine, NPSH and free proline content was recorded after 30 d, whereas no such trend was observed for the rest of the exposure periods. The chlorophyll and carotenoid contents increased with an increase in the FA amendment ratio from 10% to 50% FA for all the exposure periods as compared to GS. In both roots and leaves, the level of protein content increased in all the amendments and 100% FA at 30 d as compared to GS. Thus, there is a balance in the level of MDA content and level of antioxidants in the plants at 90 d. In view of its tolerance, the plants may be used for phytoremediation of metals from fly ash contaminated sites and suitable species for plantation on fly ash land fills.     

Waste biomass and recycled polypropylene based jute hybrid composites for non-structural applications

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - There is an overwhelming interest in composite materials derived from bio-based waste resources, recycled plastic materials and their combinations....