硅素对水稻幼苗镉积累及抗胁迫应答的调节效应

施硅(Si)可以显著缓解镉(Cd)胁迫对水稻生长发育的毒害效应。本研究通过水培分根试验,研究了Si对水稻幼苗Cd积累及胁迫应答的调节效应。结果表明: Cd胁迫下水稻幼苗的生物量显著降低,加Si可以显著缓解Cd对水稻幼苗生长的抑制效应。水稻幼苗对Cd的吸收、转运和积累明显受到Si的影响,单侧根系Cd胁迫下加Si(Si-Cd+Si,Si-Cd)使根系对Cd的滞留系数达83.3%～83.6%,限制了Cd从根向地上部转移。单侧根系Cd胁迫下非胁迫侧加Si(Si-Cd)处理的植株对Cd的吸收和累积明显增加,尤其是根中Cd的积累量较单侧根系Cd胁迫下无Si(CK-Cd)处理增加了48.2%;而单侧根系Cd胁迫下双侧加Si(Si-Cd+Si)处理则显著降低了根和地上部对Cd的吸收,较CK-Cd处理分别降低了36.7%和54.9%。双侧Cd胁迫下单侧加Si(Cd-Cd+Si)则使根和地上部对Cd的吸收量显著减少,较双侧根Cd胁迫(Cd-Cd)处理分别降低了57.8%和46.5%。Cd胁迫下水稻幼苗根中含较高浓度的Si,加Si则使Cd胁迫下根和地上部积累更多的Si。加Si也影响了水稻幼苗对其他金属元素如钙(Ca)、镁(Mg)、锰(Mn)的吸收,Cd-Cd+Si处理显著增加了根系和地上部的Ca、Mg浓度,但Mn浓度的变化则因Cd胁迫程度而表现不同。加Si对Cd胁迫下根系超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性有一定的影响,尤其是Si-Cd处理的胁迫侧POD和非胁迫侧SOD活性显著上升,有利于清除Cd胁迫产生的氧自由基。总之,Si对Cd胁迫下水稻幼苗生长、Cd和Si等的吸收及根系的抗氧化反应有一定的调节效应,植株体内较高的Si浓度有利于增强植株对Cd的耐受性。     

2种黄芪幼苗对缺硫胁迫的生理响应机制

以药用植物膜荚黄芪（Astragalus membranaceus（Fisch.）Bge.）及其变种蒙古黄芪（Astragalus membranaceus Bge.var.mongholicus Hsiao）幼苗为材料，在水培条件下研究了两种黄芪幼苗在不同程度缺硫条件下的生物量积累、光合参数、次生代谢产物积累等的变化规律。结果显示：与供应Hoagland全营养液相比，低硫和无硫供应处理均显著抑制了两种黄芪幼苗根系和地上部的伸长生长以及生物量的累积，并且引起了植株叶片失绿变黄、根系褐变等一系列缺硫症状。此外，缺硫还导致了两种黄芪幼苗叶片叶绿素含量降低以及光合参数下降、全株各部位细胞膜脂过氧化程度增加。相对膜荚黄芪而言，不同程度缺硫对蒙古黄芪生长发育的影响较小。进一步研究发现，在低硫或无硫条件下，膜荚黄芪植株各部位总酚含量出现了明显下降，而蒙古黄芪根系和叶片总酚含量却因缺硫处理而显著升高。同时我们还发现，硫营养缺乏诱导了蒙古黄芪叶片非光化学能量耗散的升高以及植株各部位主要异黄酮物质的大量积累。我们推断，营养液中硫元素供应的减少引起了黄芪幼苗硫营养不良，影响了植株叶绿素合成，降低了植株的光合能力，并同时引起了全株的氧化胁迫，最终使得黄芪幼苗生长发育受到抑制；蒙古黄芪在缺硫胁迫下提高了光保护能力，合成了较多的异黄酮类物质，有效缓解了缺硫胁迫对其生长的影响，从而在面对缺硫胁迫时比膜荚黄芪表现出了更强的耐性。     

Cd-K双重处理对水稻幼苗生长和Cd吸收转运的影响及相关转运通道分析

以水稻( Oryza sativa Linn.)高 Cd 积累品种‘T 优705’(‘T You 705’)和低 Cd 积累品种‘湘早籼24’(‘Xiangzaoxian 24’)为实验材料,采用水培法对不同浓度Cd(0.0和2.7μmol·L-1 Cd)和K(0、30和60 mmol·L-1 K)处理条件下2个品种幼苗的相对生长量、根系和地上部的Cd含量及其亚细胞分布特征进行了比较,并分析了添加离子通道活性抑制剂TEA和LaCl3后幼苗根系和地上部的Cd和K含量;在此基础上,比较了NSCCs(非选择性阳离子通道)和K专性通道对2个品种幼苗根系和地上部Cd和K吸收贡献率的影响。结果表明：与Cd单一处理组(2.7μmol·L-1 Cd)相比, Cd-K双重处理组(2.7μmol·L-1 Cd-30 mmol·L-1 K和2.7μmol·L-1 Cd-60 mmol·L-1 K)2个品种幼苗的相对生长量显著提高,而幼苗根系和地上部的Cd含量显著下降;随K浓度的提高,2个品种幼苗根系细胞壁和细胞液中的Cd含量显著下降,但细胞壁中Cd含量的分配比例增大而细胞液中Cd含量的分配比例则减小。在含2.7μmol·L-1 Cd和30 mmol·L-1 K的培养液中分别添加5 mmol·L-1 TEA或0.2 mmol·L-1 LaCl3后,2个品种幼苗根系和地上部的Cd和K含量均显著下降,其中,LaCl3处理组的根系Cd含量降幅高于TEA处理组,但LaCl3处理组的根系K含量降幅则低于TEA组。 NSCCs对品种‘T优705’幼苗根系和地上部Cd吸收的贡献率显著低于品种‘湘早籼24’幼苗,而K专性通道对品种‘T优705’幼苗根系K吸收和地上部Cd吸收的贡献率则显著低于品种‘湘早籼24’幼苗。研究结果显示：添加外源K可缓解Cd对水稻幼苗生长的抑制作用,并通过提高细胞壁与Cd的结合能力来降低细胞液中Cd的积累,以此减弱幼苗对Cd的吸收和转运能力;幼苗体内的K和Cd均可通过K专性通道和NSCCs转运,其中,K吸收和转运主要通过K专性通道完成,而Cd吸收和转运主要通过NSCCs完成。此外,品种‘T优705’可能具有多种离子通道参与Cd的吸收和转运,而品种‘湘早籼24’主要依赖NSCCs参与Cd的吸收和转运,且后者对K的吸收和积累强于前者。     

藿香蓟的镉积累、生物量及叶绿素荧光参数对不同梯度镉胁迫的响应

通过盆栽试验,研究藿香蓟(Ageratum conyzoides)的地上部和地下部Cd含量、干重、转运系数、根冠比及叶片叶绿素荧光参数对不同梯度Cd胁迫的响应。结果表明:随Cd胁迫浓度增加,藿香蓟转运系数逐渐降低,地上部和地下部Cd含量随Cd胁迫浓度的增加而逐渐升高,在Cd(300 mg·kg-1)胁迫下,植株地上部Cd含量为125.50 mg·kg-1,这一结果已超过Cd超富集植物的临界值(100 mg·kg-1);植株地上部及地下部干重随Cd胁迫浓度的增加均逐渐降低,且中、高浓度Cd胁迫对植物的生长具有显著的抑制作用,各处理间的根冠比呈上升趋势并比对照高,可见高浓度Cd胁迫可阻碍根系的生长,从而影响植物地上部对营养和水分的吸收,最终抑制植株生长及生物产量的提高;PSⅡ的最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、PSⅡ的潜在光化学效率(Fv/Fo)随着Cd胁迫浓度的增加均逐渐升高,初始荧光(Fo)和最大荧光(Fm)均逐渐降低,光量子产量(ФPSⅡ)、电子传递效率(ETR)、光化学猝灭系数(q P)及非光化学猝灭系数(q N)均出现先升后降的趋势;Cd胁迫扰乱叶片正常时期的光合特性及延缓植株衰老,但各处理间的叶绿素荧光动力学参数差异不显著,Cd胁迫对叶片PSⅡ反应中心的电子传递、光化学反应及散热能力影响较弱;高浓度Cd胁迫明显抑制植株的生长,但植株地上部及地下部的Cd积累能力较强,可作为植物修复重金属污染土壤的备选植物并用来治理Cd污染的土壤。     

镉胁迫下杞柳对金属元素的吸收及其根系形态构型特征

采用水培方法,研究了杞柳(Salix integra)2个品种在0-90 μmol/L Cd处理下不同组织对Cd的吸收和积累规律,探讨了镉胁迫下杞柳根系形态学功能响应特征以及对矿质离子吸收的影响。结果发现,镉在杞柳2个品种不同组织的含量均表现为根>韧皮部>木质部>叶。2个品种地上部组织对镉的吸收和积累规律相似:在0-70 μmol/L Cd处理浓度范围内,随着溶液Cd浓度的增加,叶、木质部、韧皮部中镉的含量逐渐增加,到50 μmol/L时,镉在地上部组织的含量达到最高,当Cd处理浓度达90 μmol/L时,地上部各组织中Cd含量出现下降趋势。而2个品种根系对Cd的吸收则不同,"微山湖"品种在溶液Cd达70 μmol/L时,根系镉的积累量最大,在90 μmol/L时,根系Cd的积累量明显下降;"一枝笔"品种根系在0-90 μmol/L范围内,根系Cd的积累量均为增加趋势。通过分析2个品种根系形态学参数变化发现,Cd胁迫抑制了杞柳2个品种根的伸长,促进了"微山湖"品种根的径向生长,导致根系平均直径增加;进一步对叶片矿质营养状态分析发现, Ca、Mn的吸收受镉胁迫的影响较大,在高浓度镉胁迫下(50-70 μmol/L)"微山湖"和"一枝笔"对Ca和Mn的吸收明显下降;Cd胁迫对Fe在叶片的含量影响不明显;同时发现,在50 μmol/L Cd处理下,Cu²⁺在叶片的积累明显增加。由此可见,杞柳2个品种间对镉的吸收和积累差异主要体现在根系,地上部对镉毒害的响应差异不大。     

外源亚精胺对高温胁迫下黄瓜幼苗氮素代谢的影响

以较为耐热的黄瓜品种‘津春4号’为试材,在人工气候箱中,采用石英砂培加营养液浇灌的栽培方式,研究了外源亚精胺( Spd)对高温胁迫(42℃)下黄瓜幼苗氮素代谢的影响.结果表明:短期高温胁迫处理,尤其是4h内,植株硝态氮含量降低而铵态氮含量升高;外源Spd预处理使幼苗体内硝态氮和铵态氮含量升高且硝酸还原酶(NR)活性增强.较长期高温胁迫处理下,幼苗根系中硝态氮含量升高但向地上部运输受阻,根系NR钝化,根系和叶片中铵态氮含量均显著升高;高温胁迫下喷施Spd,除进一步促进根系吸收硝态氮且向地上部运输外,根系和叶片NR活性亦有所升高,从较长期的效果看,外源Spd还具有防止铵态氮过度积累、促进幼苗体内氮素代谢趋于正常的作用.     

外源水杨酸改善Cd胁迫下路易斯安娜鸢尾的生长和养分吸收

采用Hoagland溶液培养,研究了外源水杨酸(SA)预处理对镉(Cd)胁迫下路易斯安娜鸢尾生物量、含水量、光合作用、根系活力、Cd积累、矿质养分吸收和抗氧化酶活性的影响.结果表明： Cd胁迫下,SA预处理的植株根叶干质量、根系活力和净光合速率提高.与单独Cd处理相比,SA预处理后的胁迫植株Cd含量无明显变化,而叶片N、P、S含量显著提高,K含量显著下降,根部抗氧化酶活性显著提高.表明SA预处理可明显缓解路易斯安娜鸢尾的Cd伤害,其原因不在于减少Cd吸收量而是提高了对Cd的抗性,矿质元素的吸收积累调节和根部抗氧化酶活性的提高是其毒害缓解的重要原因.     

不同镉水平下大麦幼苗生长和镉及养分吸收的品种间差异

利用水培试验研究了不同Cd水平下大麦幼苗的Cd和几种矿质元素吸收、积累、生长和生物学产量的品种间差异 .结果表明 ,1μmol·L-1Cd处理显著降低麦苗株高、绿叶数、叶绿素计读数、地上部和根系干重 ,显著抑制植株对Zn、Mn、Cu的吸收和累积 ;品种之间存在着显著差异 ,无芒六棱受抑制最为严重 ,米麦 114和浙农 1号表现出相对较强的抗性 .麦苗Cd含量和累积量品种之间也有显著差异 ,浙农 1号的Cd含量最高 ,米麦 114最低 .相关分析表明 ,麦苗生物学产量与地上部Cd含量、累积量及根系Cd含量呈显著负相关 ,其中与地上部Cd含量的相关性最强 ,与根系Cd累积量无显著相关 .     

夜间低温对番茄幼苗磷素吸收及转运的影响

以‘辽园多丽’番茄幼苗为试材,采用营养液栽培模式,以夜温15℃为对照,对夜间低温(6℃)影响番茄幼苗磷素吸收及转运过程的因素进行研究。结果显示:(1)夜间低温胁迫导致番茄幼苗根系活力受到显著抑制。(2)夜间低温条件下,番茄幼苗根系中酸性磷酸酶活性无明显变化,而其地上部酸性磷酸酶活性增强,且以叶片中活性增加较大。(3)夜间低温胁迫使根系中磷酸盐转运蛋白基因LePT1和LePT2的相对表达量较对照增加,地上部磷酸盐转运蛋白基因LePT1的表达受到抑制,且叶片中受到的抑制作用更显著。(4)夜间低温胁迫处理营养液中剩余磷素含量始终多于对照;其番茄幼苗地下部和地上部中磷素绝对含量均下降,且叶片比茎的下降幅度更大。(5)夜间低温胁迫使番茄幼苗伤流强度下降,伤流液中磷素含量随着处理天数的增加而增加,在处理第9天时极显著高于对照。研究表明,夜间低温导致番茄幼苗根系活力降低,诱导植株中磷酸盐转运蛋白基因LePT1的表达下调以及伤流强度降低,从而引起磷素由茎向叶片中的转运过程受到明显抑制。     

德国鸢尾对Cd胁迫的生理生态响应及积累特性

通过盆栽研究了Cd胁迫下德国鸢尾的生长状况、生态效应、生理特性及吸收和富集Cd的能力.结果表明:德国鸢尾对小于5 mg/kg的Cd有较强的耐性,适用于城区土壤修复;Cd浓度大于5 mg/kg时抑制德国鸢尾生长,降低了其生态效应.随着Cd浓度的增大,德国鸢尾根系活力、叶绿素含量和含水量逐渐降低,游离脯氨酸和可溶性糖含量先升高后降低,细胞膜透性逐渐升高.Cd在德国鸢尾体内分布为根系＞地上部分,随着Cd浓度的增大,德国鸢尾根系和地上部分Cd积累浓度逐渐升高、富集系数和转运系数逐渐降低;Cd浓度为20 mg/kg时德国鸢尾对Cd的积累量最大,为2.122 mg/plant.     

Maize plant growth and accumulation of photosynthetic pigments at short- and long-term exposure to cadmium

A wide range of cadmium concentrations (from 4 to 200 μM for seedlings and up to 2 mM for germinating kernels) was used to assess Cd toxic effects on maize (Zea mays L.) plants at the different developmental stages: germinating kernels, seedlings (4–9 days), and juvenile plants (34 days). Cd accumulation in plant organs was followed, and its lethal concentration was elucidated. In maize, cadmium was accumulated predominantly in roots; in shoots it was mainly accumulated in the lower leaves, and the higher was leaf position the lower was Cd content in it. At high concentrations (80 and 200 μM), kernels became the substantial cadmium depot. Germinating kernels manifested the lowest sensitivity to cadmium; seedlings were more sensitive; the inhibition of juvenile plant growth attained 90% and more. In the tested range of concentrations, cadmium suppressed shoot mass accumulation harder than that of roots. In 34-day-old plants, water content in shoots was stronger reduced than in roots. Plant death was also manifested earlier in shoots. It was concluded that maize plant sensitivity to cadmium increases with plant growing and that, under conditions of normal mineral nutrition, cadmium inhibits shoot growth more severe than root growth.     

脯氨酸对不结球白菜（Brassica chinensis）镉积累的影响

采用溶液培养的方法,研究了过量Cd对不结球白菜（Brassica chinensis）幼苗内源脯氨酸含量的影响及外源脯氨酸在不结球白菜Cd积累中的作用。100μmol？L-1 Cd处理明显增加不结球白菜叶片脯氨酸（Pro）的含量,并且随着Cd胁迫时间的延长,其含量也显著上升。100μmol？L-1 Cd处理明显降低脯氨酸脱氢酶（PDH）活性,而增加δ1-吡咯啉-5-羧酸合成酶（P5CS）的活性。1~5 mmol？L-1外源Pro处理显著降低不结球白菜幼苗地上部Cd含量,对根系Cd含量无显著影响,但外源Pro处理并不能缓解过量Cd对不结球白菜幼苗生物量的抑制作用。外源Pro处理下,不结球白菜叶片中Pro含量与其地上部干重呈显著的负相关关系。     

EGTA对Cd胁迫下蓖麻Cd积累和营养元素吸收的影响

以‘淄蓖麻5号’蓖麻品种为材料,通过盆栽试验研究了重度Cd土壤污染（100 mg·kg^-1）条件下,不同浓度（0、0.5、1.0、2.0 mmol·kg^-1）外源螯合剂——乙二醇双(2-氨基乙基醚)四乙酸(EGTA)对蓖麻植株生长、Cd积累和营养元素吸收的影响,探讨外源螯合剂调控Cd污染土壤上植物生长和修复效应。结果显示：（1）在Cd胁迫下,土壤中外源添加0.5~2.0 mmol·kg^-1EGTA使蓖麻根系鲜、干重比不添加EGTA对照不同程度降低,但植株总干重没有受到显著影响。（2）外源EGTA能有效促进Cd从蓖麻根部向地上部的转移,2.0 mmol·kg^-1的EGTA处理使蓖麻叶片Cd 含量显著增加了41.34倍;与不添加EGTA对照相比,外源EGTA处理蓖麻叶片中Cd积累量随添加EGTA的浓度增加而显著大幅度增加14.0~45.6倍,占相应植株总积累量的36.89%~58.63%,而茎中Cd积累量增加幅度较小,根中Cd积累量则显著降低。（3）Cd胁迫条件下,外源EGTA对蓖麻各器官矿质元素含量的影响不一,EGTA促进K向蓖麻地上部的转运,同时抑制Mg向植株地上部转运;随土壤添加的EGTA浓度提高,蓖麻植株对Ca吸收表现为低促高抑,叶片Zn含量和植株Cu含量逐渐增加,叶片和根系Fe含量及植株各器官Mn含量显著增加。与无Cd胁迫对照相比,EGTA在提高植株Cd积累的同时,降低了根系对K的吸收。研究表明,Cd胁迫显著抑制了蓖麻植株的生长,适宜浓度的外源EGTA对Cd的这种抑制有显著的缓解作用;外源EGTA改变了Cd在蓖麻根、茎、叶中的积累分布情况,提高了Cd从根系向地上部,尤其是向叶片的转移能力,从而强化了蓖麻对Cd污染土壤的修复效率;在采用EGTA强化植物修复Cd污染土壤时,应适量增施K肥以保证植株的正常生理代谢。     

群落演替对呼伦贝尔草地两种优势植物繁殖分配及生态化学计量的影响

为了探究草地群落演替过程中不同优势种的生理生态适应性,本研究采用空间代替时间序列的方法,分析呼伦贝尔草地米氏冰草群落—米氏冰草+冰草群落—冰草群落演替系列的土壤养分、两优势种的生物量及C、N和P含量。结果表明: 随着米氏冰草群落—米氏冰草+冰草群落—冰草群落的演替,土壤全碳、全氮、速效氮及速效磷含量均显著升高;米氏冰草和冰草叶、茎和根的N、P含量及N/P均显著升高,而各构件的C/N降低;米氏冰草叶的C含量及冰草叶、茎和根的C含量均显著升高。米氏冰草叶C/P及冰草根和叶C/P均显著升高,而米氏冰草根和茎C/P及冰草茎C/P均显著下降。在米氏冰草+冰草共优势种群落中,米氏冰草通过降低茎和根C含量,增加叶C的积累,提高其种间竞争力, 而冰草通过降低根冠比和生殖比来适应环境变化。米氏冰草在不同群落中均受N限制(N/P<14);而冰草在单优势种群落中受P限制(N/P>16),在共优势种群落中受N和P限制(14相似文献   

Calcium deficiency increases Cd toxicity and Ca is required for heat-shock induced Cd tolerance in rice seedlings

While growing in the field, plants may encounter several different forms of abiotic stress simultaneously, rather than a single stress. In this study, we investigated the effects of calcium (Ca) deficiency on cadmium (Cd) toxicity in rice seedlings. Calcium deficiency alone decreased the length, fresh and dry weight, and the Ca concentration in shoots and roots. Also, the content of glutathione (GSH), the ratio of GSH/oxidized glutathione, and the activity of catalase were lower in Ca-deficient leaves compared to control leaves. Exogenous Cd caused a decrease in the contents of chlorophyll and protein, and induced oxidative stress. Based on these stress indicators, we found that Ca deficiency enhanced Cd toxicity in rice seedlings. Under exogenous Cd application, internal Cd concentrations were higher in Ca-deficient shoots and roots than in the respective controls. Moreover, we observed that Ca deficiency decreased heat-shock (HS) induced expression of HS protein genes Oshsp17.3, Oshsp17.7, and Oshsp18.0 in leaves thereby weakening the protection system and increasing Cd stress. In conclusion, Ca deficiency enhances Cd toxicity, and Ca may be required for HS response in rice seedlings.     

Cadmium toxicity affects chlorophyll a and b content,antioxidant enzyme activities and mineral nutrient accumulation in strawberry

Background

Cadmium (Cd) is well known as one of the most toxic metals affecting the environment and can severely restrict plant growth and development. In this study, Cd toxicities were studied in strawberry cv. Camarosa using pot experiment. Chlorophyll and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities and mineral nutrient concentrations were investigated in both roots and leaves of strawberry plant after exposure Cd.

Results

Cd content in both roots and leaves was increased with the application of increasing concentrations of Cd. We found higher Cd concentration in roots rather than in leaves. Chlorophyll a and b was decreased in leaves but MDA significantly increased under increased Cd concentration treatments in both roots and leaves. SOD and CAT activities was also increased with the increase Cd concentrations. K, Mn and Mg concentrations were found higher in leaves than roots under Cd stress. In general, increased Cd treatments increased K, Mg, Fe, Ca, Cu and Zn concentration in both roots and leaves. Excessive Cd treatments reduced chlorophyll contents, increased antioxidant enzyme activities and changes in plant nutrition concentrations in both roots and leaves.

Conclusion

The results presented in this work suggested that Cd treatments have negative effect on chlorophyll content and nearly decreased 30% of plant growth in strawberry. Strawberry roots accumulated higher Cd than leaves. We found that MDA and antioxidant enzyme (CAT, SOD and APX) contents may have considered a good indicator in determining Cd tolerance in strawberry plant.     

白桦BpSPL2基因启动子的克隆及表达分析

SPL(SQUAMOSA promoter-binding protein-like)是植物特有的转录因子,研究表明其在参与发育阶段转变、花和果实发育等方面起着重要作用。利用PCR技术从白桦基因组DNA中扩增获得BpSPL2基因上游1 960 bp启动子序列,使用PLACE和Plant CARE在线软件分析序列,发现BpSPL2基因启动子序列中含有与开花、非生物胁迫及激素响应等相关的顺式作用元件,暗示其在植物的生长发育和胁迫应答中起重要作用。进而构建了BpSPL2基因启动子驱动GUS报告基因的植物表达载体,并利用农杆菌介导将其瞬时转化至白桦和拟南芥,通过GUS组织化学染色检测BpSPL2基因启动子的组织表达特性,结果表明BpSPL2基因启动子具有启动子活性,能够驱动GUS基因在白桦和拟南芥中表达;而其表达活性在白桦的叶片、芽及根部中较强,在拟南芥的花药、雌蕊和叶片较强,为进一步研究白桦BpSPL2基因的表达调控及其功能分析提供参考。     

Effects of Exogenous Salicylic Acid and Nitric Oxide on Physiological Characteristics of Perennial Ryegrass Under Cadmium Stress

The effects of Cd, in combination with salicylic acid (SA) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP), on ryegrass seedlings were studied. Exposure of plants to 0.1 mM CdCl₂ for 2 weeks resulted in toxicity symptoms such as chlorosis and necrotic spots on leaves. The addition of 0.2 mM SA or 0.1 mM SNP slightly alleviated the toxic effects of Cd. After application of both SA and SNP, these symptoms significantly decreased. Treatment with Cd resulted in a decrease of dry weight of roots and shoots, chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate (P _n), transpiration rate (T _r), and the uptake and translocation of mineral elements. In Cd-treated plants, levels of lipoxygenase activity and malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and proline contents significantly increased, whereas the activities of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase, guaiacol peroxidase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase, decreased in both roots and shoots. The results indicated that Cd caused physiological stresses in ryegrass plants. The Cd-stressed plants exposed to SA or SNP, especially to SA + SNP, exhibited improved growth compared with Cd-stressed plants. Application of SA or SNP, especially the combination SA + SNP, considerably reduced root-to-shoot translocation of Cd and increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes in both roots and shoots of Cd-stressed plants. The interaction of SA and SNP increased chlorophyll content, P _n and T _r in leaves, and the uptake and translocation of mineral elements, and decreased lipid peroxidation and H₂O₂ and proline accumulation in roots and shoots. These results suggest that SA or SNP, and, in particular, their combination counteracted the negative effects of Cd on ryegrass plants.     

Uptake and distribution of trace metal elements in wheat seedlings

The uptake and distribution of eight metallic elements were examined in wheat seedlings for a period of 12 d with a radioactive multitracer technique. The radioactive nuclides of the seedlings were simultaneously determined by γ-ray spectrometry. All of the elements studied were taken up by the wheat seedlings and mainly accumulated in the roots. Only some elements were transported to shoots and leaves of the seedlings or bound to leaf proteins, and two elements were transported into the chloroplast. Uptake of most elements reached a maximum on the fifth or the eighth day and then gradually decreased afterward. In the cases of ^95mTc and ⁷²Se, the uptake increased continuously within 12 d without the peak uptake. The change of elemental concentrations was dependent on uptake and excretion rates. The dynamics of metal elements taken up by the wheat seedlings and their distribution in roots, shoots, and leaves were different for each element, suggesting that it may depend on the characteristics of the elements.