高铜、高锌猪粪对蚯蚓的急性毒性效应研究

测定了高Cu、高Zn猪粪条件下Cu、Zn单一与复合污染对蚯蚓的急性致死及亚致死效应.结果表明,Cu、Zn浓度与蚯蚓死亡率显著正相关(a=0.05,r_Cu=0.99,r_Zn=0.99),与体重增长率显著负相关(a=0.05,r_Cu=-0.99,r_Zn=-0.96).蚯蚓个体对Cu、Zn的耐受程度不同,其毒性阈值(引起蚯蚓个体死亡浓度)分别为:Cu250mg·kg^-1、Zn400mg·kg^-1.LD₅₀分别为:Cu646.68mg·kg^-1、Zn947.38mg·kg^-1.复合污染情况下,Cu浓度为250、500mg·kg^-1时,Cu、Zn复合污染表现为协同效应;Cu浓度为750mg·kg^-1时,Cu、Zn复合污染表现为拮抗效应,可见,猪粪中Cu、Zn复合污染的毒性效应与各组浓度组合密切相关.     

铁棍山药微型块茎遗传转化体系的建立

怀山药(Dioscorea opposita)遗传转化是对其进行基因功能分析和遗传改良的基础, 但目前国内外尚未见相关报道。以怀山药优良品种铁棍山药(D. opposita cv. ‘Tiegun’)的微型块茎为受体材料, 对影响遗传转化的因素进行优化, 建立了由根癌农杆菌介导的山药遗传转化体系。过表达质粒载体pCAMBIA1301-DoSERK2含GUS标记基因和潮霉素(Hyg)抗性筛选基因, 沉默质粒载体pART27-DoSERK2含卡那霉素(Kan)抗性筛选基因。根癌农杆菌抑制剂特美汀(Tim)的最佳浓度为500 mg·L ^-1; 再生芽和生根时, Hyg的最佳浓度分别为15和20 mg·L ^-1, Kan的最佳浓度分别为120和160 mg·L ^-1。对转化植株进行PCR和GUS组织化学检测, 结果显示外源基因已整合到铁棍山药转基因株系的基因组中并在细胞中表达。该研究建立了一套取材便利的铁棍山药遗传转化方法, 对其它品种山药的转化也具有参考价值。     

过量施氮对冬小麦生产力的影响

设置0、70、140、210和280 kg N·hm ^-2 5个施N梯度, 对冬小麦(Triticum aestivum)旗叶光合速率(A_leaf)、群体冠层光合速率(A_canopy)、作物生长速率(CGR)和籽粒产量(GY) 4个生产力水平进行综合观测研究, 结果发现: 在0-210 kg N·hm ^-2区间, A_leaf、A_canopy、CGR和GY都随施N量的增大而增大; 在施N量由210增加到280 kg N·hm ^-2时, GY没有显著变化, 而灌浆期A_leaf、开花期和灌浆期A_canopy、开花-成熟阶段CGR有显著减小。综合分析认为: 1)过量施N (280 kg N·hm ^-2)能显著降低灌浆期冬小麦A_leaf、A_canopy和CGR, 进而抑制GY; 2)过量施N对冬小麦光合生产力的抑制作用主要发生在灌浆期; 3)在A_leaf、A_canopy、CGR和GY 4个生产力指标中, A_canopy对过量施N的反应最敏感。     

间作对氮调控玉米光合速率和光合氮利用效率的影响

研究间作后作物光合碳同化和光合氮利用效率(PNUE)对氮投入的响应, 对阐释间作产量优势的氮调控效应, 指导间作氮肥管理有重要意义。本研究设置玉米(Zea mays)单作、玉米间作两种种植模式的4个氮水平(N0, 0 kg·hm ^-2; N1, 125 kg·hm ^-2; N2, 250 kg·hm ^-2; N3, 375 kg·hm ^-2), 分析间作与施氮量对玉米叶片特征、光合参数、PNUE和产量的影响。结果表明: 与单作相比, 间作显著增加玉米叶片的叶干质量和比叶质量; 各施氮水平(除N3)下, 间作中靠近马铃薯(Solanum tuberosum)侧的玉米叶面积均显著高于单作玉米。单间作对比发现, 间作提高了玉米光饱和点和暗呼吸速率。单作、间作靠玉米侧(I-M)、间作靠马铃薯侧(I-P)的玉米PNUE均随施氮量增加而降低, 降幅以I-P最大; 施氮量低于250 kg·hm ^-2时, 相同施氮量下的玉米PNUE和净光合速率(P_n)均以I-P最高, I-M和单作次之。间作显著提高了玉米产量(土地当量比>1)。该研究中当施氮量≤250 kg·hm ^-2时, 间作I-P的玉米叶片P_n和PNUE显著提高可能是间作玉米产量提高的重要原因。     

外源谷胱甘肽对石竹幼苗镉毒害的缓解效应

为了探讨外源谷胱甘肽(GSH)对地被植物镉(Cd)毒害的缓解效应, 采用温室盆栽土培的方法, 研究了不同浓度(0、20、40、60、80、100 mg·L ^-1)的外源GSH处理对50 mg·kg ^-1 Cd胁迫下石竹(Dianthus chinensis)幼苗生长的影响。结果发现, 50 mg·kg ^-1 Cd显著抑制了石竹幼苗的生长。喷施外源GSH后, 一定浓度范围内(≤60 mg·L ^-1)的外源GSH可显著缓解石竹幼苗的Cd胁迫, 过氧化氢酶(CAT)、过氧化物酶(POD)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDAR)、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)的活性, 抗坏血酸(AsA)和GSH含量以及生物量、株高、分蘖数都显著高于无外源GSH处理的石竹幼苗, 而丙二醛(MDA)含量、细胞膜透性、Cd含量、O₂· ^-的产生速率以及H₂O₂的积累量则显著低于无外源GSH处理的石竹幼苗, 但随着外源GSH喷施浓度的增加, 缓解效应有下降的趋势。试验表明55-65 mg·L ^-1的外源GSH缓解效果最佳。     

Effects of intercropping on photosynthetic rate and net photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency of maize under nitrogen addition

研究间作后作物光合碳同化和光合氮利用效率(PNUE)对氮投入的响应, 对阐释间作产量优势的氮调控效应, 指导间作氮肥管理有重要意义。本研究设置玉米(Zea mays)单作、玉米间作两种种植模式的4个氮水平(N0, 0 kg·hm ^-2; N1, 125 kg·hm ^-2; N2, 250 kg·hm ^-2; N3, 375 kg·hm ^-2), 分析间作与施氮量对玉米叶片特征、光合参数、PNUE和产量的影响。结果表明: 与单作相比, 间作显著增加玉米叶片的叶干质量和比叶质量; 各施氮水平(除N3)下, 间作中靠近马铃薯(Solanum tuberosum)侧的玉米叶面积均显著高于单作玉米。单间作对比发现, 间作提高了玉米光饱和点和暗呼吸速率。单作、间作靠玉米侧(I-M)、间作靠马铃薯侧(I-P)的玉米PNUE均随施氮量增加而降低, 降幅以I-P最大; 施氮量低于250 kg·hm ^-2时, 相同施氮量下的玉米PNUE和净光合速率(P_n)均以I-P最高, I-M和单作次之。间作显著提高了玉米产量(土地当量比>1)。该研究中当施氮量≤250 kg·hm ^-2时, 间作I-P的玉米叶片P_n和PNUE显著提高可能是间作玉米产量提高的重要原因。     

走马胎的组织培养与快速繁殖

以走马胎(Ardisia gigantifolia)幼嫩茎段为外植体, 通过腋芽增殖的方式进行组织培养和快速繁殖研究。结果表明, 培养基MS+1.0 mg·L ^-1 6-BA+0.2 mg·L ^-1NAA和MS+0.5 mg·L ^-1 ZT均可用于腋芽的诱导和前期继代培养, 诱导率分别为89.3%和85.7%; 芽增殖最佳培养基为MS+0.5 mg·L ^-16-BA+0.1 mg·L ^-1ZT+0.1 mg·L ^-1NAA, 增殖系数为4.3倍; 根诱导最佳培养基为1/2MS+1.5 mg·L ^-1 IAA+1.0 mg·L ^-1 NAA, 生根率达92.3%, 且根系发达, 植株健壮; 生根苗在混合基质园土:泥炭:珍珠岩=3:1:1 (v/v/v )中移栽成活率为82%。该研究建立了走马胎种苗的组织培养快速繁殖技术体系, 且可应用于规模化生产。     

走马胎的组织培养与快速繁殖

以走马胎(Ardisia gigantifolia)幼嫩茎段为外植体, 通过腋芽增殖的方式进行组织培养和快速繁殖研究。结果表明, 培养基MS+1.0 mg·L ^-1 6-BA+0.2 mg·L ^-1NAA和MS+0.5 mg·L ^-1 ZT均可用于腋芽的诱导和前期继代培养, 诱导率分别为89.3%和85.7%; 芽增殖最佳培养基为MS+0.5 mg·L ^-16-BA+0.1 mg·L ^-1ZT+0.1 mg·L ^-1NAA, 增殖系数为4.3倍; 根诱导最佳培养基为1/2MS+1.5 mg·L ^-1 IAA+1.0 mg·L ^-1 NAA, 生根率达92.3%, 且根系发达, 植株健壮; 生根苗在混合基质园土:泥炭:珍珠岩=3:1:1 (v/v/v )中移栽成活率为82%。该研究建立了走马胎种苗的组织培养快速繁殖技术体系, 且可应用于规模化生产。     

多环芳烃(PAHs)对油菜生长的影响及其积累效应

多环芳烃(PAHs)是持久性有机污染物(POP)之一, 通过大气沉降和污水灌溉能被植物吸收, 对食品生产安全和人类生命健康具有极大威胁。为探究PAHs对蔬菜作物的生长影响及毒害机理, 采用盆栽试验研究了不同浓度的荧蒽(FLU)和苯并[a]芘(B[a]P)单独胁迫下对油菜(Brassica chinensis)生长、生理和品质的影响及在油菜茎叶内的积累。结果表明: FLU和B[a]P在油菜茎叶内的积累量随着土壤中施加浓度的升高而增加, FLU胁迫下各处理间差异显著(p < 0.05), B[a]P胁迫下5.0和10.0 mg·kg^-1时积累量与对照(CK)相比显著(p < 0.05)增加, 10.0 mg·kg^-1时油菜茎叶内的最大B[a]P积累量没有超过我国食品安全标准; FLU和B[a]P对油菜叶长、叶宽和地上生物量的影响都是低浓度促进高浓度抑制; FLU和B[a]P胁迫下与CK相比株高和光合速率(P_n)值都显著(p < 0.05)降低; 对叶绿素含量的影响是低浓度促进高浓度抑制; 从总体来看, FLU胁迫对还原性维生素C (Vc)具有抑制作用, 5.0 mg·kg^-1时Vc含量最低, 而B[a]P胁迫下变化不规律, 在0.5 mg·kg^-1胁迫时与CK相比略有增加, 5.0 mg·kg^-1时含量最低。     

大气CO2浓度倍增对油菜韧皮部汁液成分及根部氮素积累的影响

以甘蓝型欧洲油菜(Brassica napus) ‘814’和‘湘油15’两个品种为研究对象, 探寻在两个CO₂浓度(自然CO₂浓度: 400 μmol·mol^-1和高CO₂浓度: (800 ± 20) μmol·mol^-1)和两个氮素水平(低氮和常氮)处理下, 欧洲油菜韧皮部汁液中可溶性糖和游离氨基酸含量, 以及根部干物质量和氮素累积量的变化。结果表明: 1) CO₂浓度升高提高欧洲油菜韧皮部汁液可溶性糖含量, 施氮条件下‘814’在抽薹期达到0.29%, ‘湘油15’在盛花期达到0.25%, 其含量均显著高于自然CO₂浓度处理。2) CO₂浓度对韧皮部汁液游离氨基酸含量的影响因品种而异, 无论施氮与否, CO₂浓度升高使‘814’的游离氨基含量降低; 而‘湘油15’ CO₂浓度升高促使其在低氮条件下含量升高, 在常氮条件下则降低。3)根部干物质量和氮素累积量均随CO₂浓度升高而增加, 且欧洲油菜韧皮部汁液中可溶性糖含量与游离氨基酸含量与根部干物质量和氮素累积量呈显著正相关。     

Zinc seed coating improves the growth,grain yield and grain biofortification of bread wheat

This study, comprising three independent experiments, was conducted to optimize the zinc (Zn) application through seed coating for improving the productivity and grain biofortification of wheat. Experiment 1 was conducted in petri plates, while experiment 2 was conducted in sand-filled pots to optimize the Zn seed coating using two sources (ZnSO₄, ZnCl₂) of Zn. In the first two experiments, seeds of two wheat cultivars Lasani-2008 and Faisalabad-2008 were coated with 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, 1.25, 1.50, 1.75 and 2.00 g Zn kg^?1 seed using ZnSO₄ and ZnCl₂ as Zn sources. The results of experiment I revealed that seed coating with 1.25 and 1.50 g Zn kg^?1 seed using both sources of Zn improved the seedling emergence. However, seed coated with 1.25 and 1.50 g Zn kg^?1 seed using ZnSO₄ was better regarding improvement in seedling growth and seedling dry weight. The results of the second experiment indicated that seed coated with 1.25 and 1.50 g Zn kg^?1 seed using ZnSO₄ improved the seedling emergence and seedling growth of tested wheat cultivars. However, seed coating beyond 1.5 g Zn kg^?1 seed using either Zn source suppressed the seedling emergence. Third experiment was carried out in glass house in soil-filled earthen pots. Seeds of both wheat cultivars were coated with pre-optimized treatments (1.25, 1.50 g Zn kg^?1 seed) using both Zn sources. Seed coating with all treatments of ZnSO₄ and seed coating with 1.25 g Zn kg^?1 seed using ZnCl₂ improved the seedling emergence and yield-related traits of wheat cultivars. Seed coating with 1.25 g Zn kg^?1 seed also improved the chlorophyll a and b contents. Maximum straw Zn contents, before and after anthesis, were recorded from seed coated with 1.5 g Zn kg^?1 seed using either Zn source. Increase in grain yield from seed coating followed the sequence 1.25 g Zn kg^?1 seed (ZnSO₄) >1.25 g Zn kg^?1 seed (ZnCl₂) >1.5 g Zn kg^?1 seed (ZnSO₄). However, increase in grain Zn contents from seed coated was 1.5 g Zn kg^?1 seed (ZnCl₂) >1.25 and 1.5 g Zn kg^?1 seed (ZnCl₂, ZnSO₄) >1.25 g Zn kg^?1 seed (ZnSO₄). Seed coating with Zn increased the grain Zn contents from 21 to 35 %, while 33–55 % improvement in grain yield was recorded. In conclusion, wheat seeds may be coated with 1.25 g Zn kg^?1 seed using either source of Zn for improving the grain yield and grain Zn biofortification.     

Assessment of the Zn status of chickpea by plant analysis

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is extensively grown in areas where soils are deficient in zinc (Zn). To determine the response of chickpea to Zn nutrition and to diagnose Zn status in plant tissue, two glasshouse experiments were conducted using Zn-deficient siliceous sandy soil. In Experiment 1, two genotypes of desi chickpea (Dooen and Tyson) were grown at five Zn levels (0, 0.04, 0.2, 1.0 and 5.0 mg kg^-1 of soil). After 4 weeks, no difference in growth and no visible symptoms of Zn deficiency were detected. After 6–8 weeks of growth, chlorosis of younger leaves and stipules occured in the Zn₀ treatment, with shoot dry weight being only 24% of that recorded at the highest Zn level. Root growth increased from 0.52 g/plant when no Zn was applied to 1.04 g/plant in the treatment with 0.2 mg Zn kg^-1 of soil; no response to further increase of Zn fertilization occurred. Zinc concentration in the whole shoot increased significantly with increased in Zn application. The critical Zn concentration in the shoot tissue, associated with 90% of maximum growth, was 20 mg kg^-1 for both genotypes at flowering stage.In the second experiment, two genotypes of desi chickpea (Tyson and T-1587) were grown at three Zn levels (0, 0.5 and 2.5 mg kg^-1 of soil) under two moisture regimes (field capacity 12% w/w, and water stress 4% w/w). Shoot growth was influenced by both Zn supply and water stress. The effect of water stress was severe in the 0.5 and 2.5 mg Zn treatments where shoot dry matter was reduced 52 and 46%, respectively. T-1587 was less sensitive to Zn deficiency and produced higher shoot dry weight than Tyson in the Zn₀ treatment. Zinc concentration in shoots increased from 5 mg kg^-1 when no Zn was applied to 40 mg kg^-1 at the highest Zn level. The critical Zn concentration in shoots was 21 mg kg^-1.The results of the two experiments showed that the critical concentration for Zn did not differ amongst the three cultivars used and was not affected by soil moisture. Similar studies should be undertaken with a wider number of genotypes to discover if a critical concentration of 20–21 mg kg^-1 in the shoot can be used to diagose the Zn status of chickpea genotypes.     

Effects of Amendments on Growth and Uptake of Cd and Zn by Wetland Plants,Typha angustifolia and Colocasia esculenta from Contaminated Sediments

A pot study was conducted to compare the effects of amendments (CaHPO₄ and cow manure) on growth and uptake of Cd and Zn from contaminated sediments by two wetland plant species, Typha angustifolia and Colocasia esculenta. Contaminated sediments (Cd 33.2 mg kg^–1 and Zn 363 mg kg^–1) were collected from Mae Tao basin, Mae Sot district, Tak province, Thailand. The experiment consisted of 4 treatments: control (uncontaminated sediment), Cd/Zn, Cd/Zn + 5% CaHPO₄, and Cd/Zn + 10% cow manure. Plants were grown for 3 months in the greenhouse. The addition of CaHPO₄ resulted in the highest relative growth rate (RGR) and highest Cd accumulation in both T. angustifolia and C. esculenta while the lowest RGR was found in C. esculenta grown in the cow manure treatment. Both plant species had higher concentrations of metals (Cd, Zn) in their belowground parts. None of the amendments affected Zn accumulation. C. esculenta exhibited the highest uptake of both Cd and Zn. The results clearly demonstrated the phytoremediation potential of C. esculenta and the enhancement of this potential by CaHPO₄ amendment.     

Enhanced uptake of soil Pb and Zn by Indian mustard and winter wheat following combined soil application of elemental sulphur and EDTA

Enhancement of Pb and Zn uptake by Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.) and winter wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) grown for 50 days in pots of contaminated soil was studied with application of elemental sulphur (S) and EDTA. Sulphur was added to the soil at 5 rates (0–160 mmol kg^?1) before planting, and EDTA was added in solution at 4 rates (0–8 mmol kg^?1) after 40 days of plant growth. Additional pots were established with the same rates of S and EDTA but without plants to monitor soil pH and CaCl₂-extractable heavy metals. The highest application rate of S acidified the soil from pH 7.1 to 6.0. Soil extractable Pb and Zn and shoot uptake of Pb and Zn increased as soil pH decreased. Both S and EDTA increased soil extractable Pb and Zn and shoot Pb and Zn uptake. EDTA was more effective than S in increasing soil extractable Pb and Zn, and the two amendments combined had a synergistic effect, raising extractable Pb to ¿1000 and Zn to ¿6 times their concentrations in unamended control soil. Wheat had higher shoot yields than Indian mustard and increasing application rates of both S and EDTA reduced the shoot dry matter yields of both plant species to as low as about half those of unamended controls. However, Indian mustard hyperaccumulated Pb in all EDTA treatments tested except the treatment with no S applied, and the maximum shoot Pb concentration was 7100 mg kg^?1 under the highest application rates of S and EDTA combined. Wheat showed similar trends, but hyperaccumulation (1095 mg kg^?1) occurred only at the highest rates of S and EDTA combined. Similar trends in shoot Zn were found, but with lower concentrations than Pb and far below hyperaccumulation, with maxima of 777 and 480 mg kg^?1 in Indian mustard and wheat. Despite their lower yields, Indian mustard shoots extracted more Pb and Zn from the soil (up to 4.1 and 0.45 mg pot^?1) than did winter wheat (up to 0.72 and 0.28 mg pot^?1), indicating that the effects of S and EDTA on shoot metal concentration were more important than yield effects in determining rates of metal removal over the growth period of 50 days. Phytoextraction of Pb from this highly contaminated soil would require the growth of Indian mustard for nearly 100 years and is therefore impractical.     

Proline and Oxidative Metabolism in Young Pecan Trees Associated with Sulphate Accumulation

Pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch.] is a deciduous tree whose fruits (nuts) are of high economic value and offer excellent nutritional benefits. However, soils high in sulphates can limit its growth and development. Working with 5-year-old trees of ‘Western Schley’ pecan grown in soils high in sulphates, the levels of proline and oxidative metabolism were recorded in the leaflets. Results showed that different levels of visible leaflet damage (‘sufficiency’, ‘low’, ‘moderate’ or ‘severe’) were associated with different levels of leaflet sulphates (mg kg⁻¹): ‘sufficiency’ (≤40), ‘low’ (41–60), ‘moderate’ (61–80) and ‘severe’ (80–100). ‘Severe’ sulphate damage was associated with significant reductions in chlorophyll (TChl) (17.04 μg g⁻¹), relative water content (RWC) (50%) and leaf area (LA), and with increases in the concentrations of total carotenoids (TC) and proline (Prl). Increases were also observed in the activities of the oxidative metabolism enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD) (1.82 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹), catalase (CAT) (2.86 μmol H₂O₂ min⁻¹ g⁻¹) and antioxidant capacity (AC) (87% DPPH inhibition). However, guaiacol peroxidase (GP) showed a reduction (2.97 nmol GSH min⁻¹ g⁻¹). An inverse relationship was found between the sulphate concentration in the leaflets with respect to the evaluated parameters of TChl, TC, RWC, LA, AC, and GP. Proline synthesis and antioxidant enzymatic activity indicate salt stress in pecan leaflets in orchards irrigated with deep-well water high in sulphates.     

Cd AND Zn TOLERANCE AND ACCUMULATION BY SEDUM JINIANUM IN EAST CHINA

Field survey, hydroponic culture, and pot experiments were carried out to examine and characterize cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) uptake and accumulation by Sedum jinianum, a plant species native to China. Shoot Cd and Zn concentrations in S. jinianum growing on a lead/Zn mine area reached 103–478 and 4165–8349 mg kg^?1 (DM), respectively. The shoot Cd concentration increased with the increasing Cd supply, peaking at 5083 mg kg^?1 (DM) when grown in nutrient at a concentration of 100 μmol L^?1 for 32 d, and decreased as the solution concentration increased from 200 to 400 μmol L^?1. The shoot-to-root ratio of plant Cd concentrations was > 1 when grown in solution Cd concentrations ≤ 200 μmol L^?1. Foliar, stem, and root Zn concentrations increased linearly with the increasing Zn level from 1 to 9600 μmol L^?1. The Zn concentrations in various plant parts decreased in the order roots > stem > leaves, with maximum concentrations of 19.3, 33.8, and 46.1 g kg^?1 (DM), respectively, when plants were grown at 9600 μmol Zn L^?1 for 32 d. Shoot Cd concentrations reached 16.4 and 79.8 mg kg^?1 (DM) when plants were grown in the pots of soil with Cd levels of 2.4 mg kg^?1 and 9.2 mg kg^?1, respectively. At soil Zn levels of 619 and 4082 mg kg^?1, shoot Zn concentrations reached 1560 and 15,558 mg kg^?1 (DM), respectively. The results indicate that S. jinianum is a Cd hyperaccumulator with a high capacity to accumulate Zn in the shoots.     

Plant maintenance and environmental stress. Summarising the effects of contrasting elevation,soil, and latitude on Quercus ilex respiration rates

Aims

Rice (Oryza sativa L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are major staple food crops consumed worldwide. Zinc (Zn) deficiency represents a common micronutrient deficiency in human populations, especially in regions of the world where staple food crops are the main source of daily calorie intake. Foliar application of Zn fertilizer has been shown to be effective for enriching food crop grains with Zn to desirable amounts for human nutrition. For promoting adoption of this practice by growers, it is important to know whether foliar Zn fertilizers can be applied along with pesticides to wheat, rice and also common bean grown across different soil and environmental conditions.

Methods

The feasibility of foliar application of zinc sulphate (ZnSO₄.7H₂O) to wheat, rice and common bean in combination with commonly used five fungicides and nine insecticides was investigated under field conditions at the 31 sites-years of seven countries, i.e., China, India, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey, Brazil and Zambia.

Results

Significant increases in grain yields were observed with foliar Zn/foliar Zn?+?pesticide (5.2–7.7 % of wheat and 1.6–4.2 % of rice) over yields with no Zn treatment. In wheat, as average of all experiments, higher grain Zn concentrations were recorded with foliar Zn alone (41.2 mg kg^?1) and foliar Zn?+?pesticide (38.4 mg kg^?1) as compared to no Zn treatment (28.0 mg kg^?1). Though the magnitude of grain Zn enrichment was lesser in rice than wheat, grain Zn concentrations in brown rice were significantly higher with foliar Zn (24.1 mg kg^?1) and foliar Zn?+?pesticide (23.6 mg kg^?1) than with no Zn (19.1 mg kg^?1). In case of common bean, grain Zn concentration increased from 68 to 78 mg kg^?1 with foliar Zn alone and to 77 mg kg^?1 with foliar Zn applied in combination with pesticides. Thus, grain Zn enrichment with foliar Zn, without or with pesticides, was almost similar in all the tested crops.

Conclusions

The results obtained at the 31 experimental site-years of seven countries revealed that foliar Zn fertilization can be realized in combination with commonly-applied pesticides to contribute Zn biofortification of grains in wheat, rice and common bean. This agronomic approach represents a useful practice for the farmers to alleviate Zn deficiency problem in human populations.

     

Tolerance of Ricinus communis L. to Cd and screening of high Cd accumulation varieties for remediation of Cd contaminated soils

Response of castor (Ricinus communis L.) to cadmium (Cd) was assessed by a seed-suspending seedbed approach. Length of total radicle was the most sensitive indicator of Cd tolerance among the tested germination and growth characters. The ED₅₀ value for Cd was 11.87 mg L^?1, indicating high Cd tolerance in castor. A pot experiment was conducted by growing 46 varieties of castor under CK (without Cd) and Cd1 (10 mg kg^?1 of Cd) and Cd2 (50 mg kg^?1 of Cd) treatments to investigate genotype variations in growth response and Cd accumulation of castor under different Cd exposures. Castor possessed high Cd accumulation ability; average shoot and root Cd concentrations of the 46 tested varieties were 21.83 and 185.43 mg kg^?1, and 174.99 and 1181.96 mg kg^?1 under Cd1 and Cd2, respectively. Great variation in Cd accumulation was observed among varieties, and Cd concentration of castor was genotype dependent. The correlation between biomass and Cd accumulation was significantly positive, while no significant correlation was observed between Cd concentration and Cd accumulation, which indicated that biomass performance is the dominant factor in determining Cd accumulation ability.     

Distribution of Metals (Cu,Zn, Pb,and Cd) in Sediments of the Anzali Lagoon,North Iran

Concentrations of four metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd) in the sediments of the Anzali Lagoon in the northern part of Iran were determined to evaluate the level of contamination and spatial distribution. The sediments were collected from 21 locations in the lagoon. At each lagoon site a core, 60 cm long, was taken. The ranges of the measured concentrations in the sediments are as follows: 17–140 mg kg^?1 for Cu, 20–113 mg kg^?1 for Zn, 1–37 mg kg^?1 for Pb and 0.1–3.5 mg kg^?1 for Cd in surficial (0-20 cm) and 16–87 mg kg^?1 for Cu, 28.5–118 mg kg^?1 for Zn, 3–20 mg kg^?1 for Pb and 0.1–3.5 mg kg^?1 for Cd in deep (40–60 cm) sediments. The results of the geoaccumulation index (I_geo) show that Cd causes moderate to heavy pollution in most of the study area. Environmental risk evaluation showed that the pollution in the Anzali Lagoon is moderate to considerable and the ranking of the contaminants followed the order: Cd > Cu > Pb > Zn. Some locations present severe pollution by metals depending on the sources, of which sewage outlets and phosphate fertilizers are the main sources of contaminants to the area.     

Influence of Pak choi plant cultivation on Se distribution,speciation and bioavailability in soil

Background and aims

The combination of plant breeding and agronomic biofortification is the most reasonable approach to minimize zinc (Zn) deficiency-related problems in humans, but also in crop production. However, its efficiency and suitability under Mediterranean conditions and its effects on the grain yield and quality parameters are not well known.

Methods

Field experiments were conducted over two years in south-eastern Portugal, where soils are deficient in Zn. Ten advanced breeding lines and three commercial varieties of bread-making wheat were fertilized with four Zn treatments as following: i) control, ii) soil Zn application, iii) foliar Zn application and iv) both soil and foliar Zn application.

Results

Low rainfall produced 46 % more of grain Zn concentration but about 67 % less of grain yield. Grain Zn concentration varied greatly across treatments and cultivars with INIAV-1, INIAV-6, INIAV-9 and the commercial varieties being the most efficient. There were no significant increases in Zn concentrations due to soil Zn application, but gains higher than 20 mg kg^?1 were obtained both with foliar and soil+foliar Zn applications. Grain yield was not significantly higher in foliar application, but increased to about 10 % in soil, and about 7 % in soil+foliar applications, respectively.

Conclusions

In soils with low Zn availability, the best strategy to improve grain Zn concentrations has been to select the most efficient cultivars for Zn accumulation with the added application of Zn in soil+foliar form.