Effects of high atmospheric CO2 concentration on root hydraulic conductivity of conifers depend on species identity and inorganic nitrogen source

We examined root hydraulic conductivity (L_p) responses of one-year-old seedlings of four conifers to the combined effects of elevated CO₂ and inorganic nitrogen (N) sources. We found marked interspecific differences in L_p responses to high CO₂ ranging from a 37% increase in P. abies to a 27% decrease in P. menziesii, but these effects depended on N source. The results indicate that CO₂ effects on root water transport may be coupled to leaf area responses under nitrate (NO₃⁻), but not ammonium (NH₄⁺) dominated soils. To our knowledge, this is the first study that highlights the role of inorganic N source and species identity as critical factors that determine plant hydraulic responses to rising atmospheric CO₂ levels. The results have important implications for understanding root biology in a changing climate and for models designed to predict feedbacks between rising atmospheric CO₂, N deposition, and ecohydrology.     

Influence of plants on the reduction of hexavalent chromium in wetland sediments

This work addresses the effect that plants (Typha latifolia and Carex lurida) have on the reduction of Cr(VI) in wetland sediments. Experiments were carried out using tubular microcosms, where chemical species were monitored along the longitudinal flow axis. Cr(VI) removal was enhanced by the presence of plants. This is explained by a decrease in the redox potential promoted by organic root exudates released by plants. Under these conditions sulfate reduction is enhanced, increasing the concentration of sulfide species in the sediment pore water, which reduce Cr(VI). Evapotranspiration induced by plants also contributed to enhance the reduction of Cr(VI) by concentrating all chemical species in the sediment pore water. Both exudates release and evapotranspiration have a diurnal component that affects Cr(VI) reduction. Concentration profiles were fitted to a kinetic model linking sulfide and Cr(VI) concentrations corrected for evapotranspiration. This expression captures both the longitudinal as well as the diurnal Cr(VI) concentration profiles.     

Calcium protects roots of Sedum alfredii H. against cadmium-induced oxidative stress

Sedum alfredii is a well-known Cd (cadmium) hyperaccumulator native to China. The impacts of exogenous Ca on Cd-induced oxidative stress and antioxidant systems in roots of S. alfredii were investigated by using cellular and biochemical approaches. Supplementation of the medium with higher Ca levels resulted in alleviated growth inhibition and decreased Cd concentration, as well as increased Ca concentration in roots. Cadmium induced lipid peroxidation and loss of plasma membrane integrity, reactive oxygen species overproduction, as well as ultrastructural changes of root cells were largely reversed by Ca supplementation in the medium. Calcium application significantly altered the Cd effects on antioxidant enzymes and non-enzyme antioxidants (non-protein thiols), and significantly increased glutathione (GSH) biosynthesis. The results suggest that Ca is able to protect the roots of S. alfredii against Cd toxicity by restoration of Cd-displaced Ca, alleviation of the metal induced oxidative stress, as well as promotion of GSH biosynthesis.     

Molecular characterization of root exudates using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry

The release of root exudates(REs) provides an important source of soil organic carbon. This work revealed the molecular composition of REs of different plant species including alfalfa( Medicago sativa L.), bean( Phaseolus vulgaris L.), barley( Hordeum vulgare L.), maize( Zea mays), wheat( Triticum aestivum L.), ryegrass( Lolium perenne L.) and pumpkin( Cucurbita maxima) using electrospray ionization coupled with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry(ESI FT-ICR MS). The comb...     

根分泌物对根际重金属动态的影响

介绍了采用上，下分根试验，使水稻根系下部生长在不同浓度铁营养液中，研究不同供铁处理对不同品种水稻吸收生金属和微量元素及其在体内转移和运输的影响。结果表明缺铁处理时常优８７－８８品种的植株地下部铁含量仅为正常供铁处理的５８％，而Ｃｄ，Ｚｎ的含量却比正常供的植株高１．４倍；缺铁时远诱一号和科长８９－１１３两个品种植株地上部含铁量也比正常供铁时低，但差异不如常优８７－８８明显，Ｃｄ，Ｚｎ含量比正常供铁时     

Utilising the Synergy between Plants and Rhizosphere Microorganisms to Enhance Breakdown of Organic Pollutants in the Environment (15 pp)

Background Phytoremediation is a promising technology for the cleanup of polluted environments. The technology has so far been used mainly to remove toxic heavy metals from contaminated soil, but there is a growing interest in broadening its applications to remove/degrade organic pollutants in the environment. Both plants and soil microorganisms have certain limitations with respect to their individual abilities to remove/breakdown organic compounds. A synergistic action by both rhizosphere microorganisms that leads to increased availability of hydrophobic compounds, and plants that leads to their removal and/or degradation, may overcome many of the limitations, and thus provide a useful basis for enhancing remediation of contaminated environments.Main Features The review of literature presented in this article provides an insight to the nature of plant-microbial interactions in the rhizosphere, with a focus on those processes that are relevant to the breakdown and/or removal of organic pollutants. Due consideration has been given to identify opportunities for utilising the plant-microbial synergy in the rhizosphere to enhance remediation of contaminated environments.Results and Discussion The literature review has highlighted the existence of a synergistic interaction between plants and microbial communities in the rhizosphere. This interaction benefits both microorganisms through provision of nutrients by root exudates, and plants through enhanced nutrient uptake and reduced toxicity of soil contaminants. The ability of the plant-microbial interaction to tackle some of the most recalcitrant organic chemicals is of particular interest with regard to enhancing and extending the scope of remediation technologies.Conclusions Plant-microbial interactions in the rhizosphere offer very useful means for remediating environments contaminated with recalcitrant organic compounds.Outlook A better knowledge of plant-microbial interactions will provide a basis for improving the efficacy of biological remediations. Further research is, however, needed to investigate different feedback mechanisms that select and regulate microbial activity in the rhizosphere.     

Methylopila sp.SD-1与大豆联合修复苯磺隆污染土壤

分离得到1株苯磺隆降解菌株SD-1,根据表型、生理生化特征及16S rRNA基因序列分析,将其鉴定为Methylopila sp.SD-1,为首次报道能够降解苯磺隆的Methylopila属菌株,其在4d内完全降解50mg/L苯磺隆,最适降解温度、pH值分别为30℃和7.0,降解中间产物对大豆的毒性显著降低.大豆根系分泌物能促进菌株SD-1的生长,培养5d,菌株SD-1的数量由1.0×10⁷CFU/mL增至6.7×10⁷CFU/mL.分泌物中含有16种氨基酸,菌株SD-1对其中的Asp、Glu和Phe表现出明显的趋化性.接种菌悬液至苯磺隆污染土壤（3mg/kg）并种植大豆幼苗,培养4d,菌株SD-1依赖趋化性向大豆根系运动并定殖,存活率提高,根际土壤中苯磺隆的降解率相较于未种植大豆的处理提高36.0%.     

油菜根系分泌物对不同作物幼苗生长的化感效应

在实验室采用发芽试验的方法研究了油菜Brassicacampestris根系分泌物对小麦、油菜、蚕豆和玉米种子活力、幼苗生长发育及生理生化特性造成的化感效应。结果表明,油菜根系分泌物的化感累加作用对不同作物种子发芽率、幼苗芽长、芽质量、根长、根质量、根系活力以及幼芽过氧化物酶(POD)活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量均具有显著影响,其化感效应对小麦的影响程度最弱,其中对小麦的种子发芽率、幼苗根长、芽干物质量、POD活性和根系活力以及各作物幼芽细胞膜的毒害程度均表现出促进作用,而对小麦幼苗其它生长特性以及油菜、蚕豆和玉米幼苗的所有生长特性均表现为抑制作用,表明油菜根系分泌物对不同作物及不同生长特性的化感效应具有不同的选择性。因此,合理搭配油菜作物的间、套、轮作是其夺取优质、高产栽培的关键技术。     

Effects of wastewater discharge on formation of Fe plaque on root surface and radial oxygen loss of mangrove roots

Effects of wastewater discharge on radial oxygen loss (ROL), formation of iron (Fe) plaque on root surface, and their correlations in Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) Poir and Excoecaria agallocha L. were investigated. ROL along a lateral root increased more rapidly in control than that in strong wastewater (with pollutant concentrations ten times of that in municipal sewage, 10NW) treatment, but less Fe plaque was formed in control for both plants. For B. gymnorrhiza receiving 10NW, Fe plaque formation was more at basal and mature zones than at root tip, while opposite trend was shown in E. agallocha. At day 0, the correlation between ROL and Fe plaque was insignificant, but negative and positive correlations were found in 10NW and control, respectively, at day 105, suggesting that more ROL was induced leading to more Fe plaque. However, excess Fe plaque also served as a ‘barrier’ to prevent excessive ROL in 10NW plants.     

Common procedural execution failure modes during abnormal situations

The Abnormal Situation Management^® Consortium¹ funded a study to investigate procedural execution failures during abnormal situations. The study team analyzed 20 publically available and 12 corporate confidential incident reports using the TapRoot^® methodology to identify root causes associated with procedural execution failures. The main finding from this investigation was the majority of the procedural execution failures (57%) across these 32 incident reports were associated with abnormal situations. Specific recommendations include potential information to capture from plant incident to better understand the sources of procedural execution failures and improve use of procedures in abnormal situations.