Responses of two wheat varieties to sulphur addition and diagnosis of sulphur deficiency

Sulphur deficiency has become increasingly widespread in wheat in the U.K. Growth, nutrient content and biochemical responses to S and N supply of a breadmaking wheat variety (Hereward) and a non-breadmaking variety (Riband) were investigated in a pot experiment. Shoot dry matter (DM) at stem extension (Zadok's GS 37) and at maturity was increased markedly by S. Grain production of the Riband variety was more susceptible to the imbalance of N to S than the Hereward variety. At GS 37, the concentrations of total S and sulphate-S of shoots, chlorophyll meter readings and the concentrations of glutathione of the uppermost fully expanded leaves were increased significantly by increasing S supply, whereas the concentrations of nitrate and amides were decreased by S. The greatest relative changes in response to S supply were those of the glutathione and asparagine concentrations. Riband also showed greater response to S than Hereward. Critical values of various diagnostic indices at GS 37 were derived from the relationships between DM yield and different indices. The two varieties showed similar diagnostic curves except that for the ratio of total N to total S (N:S) in shoots. Either total S or sulphate-S can be used alone as a good indicator of deficiency, and with values of 1500 and 190 mg kg^-1 DM in shoots for the two indices respectively. There was also a well defined relationship between DM yield and the glutathione concentration, with a critical value of 240 nmol g^-1 FW. There were no advantages of using % of total S as sulphate-S. Shoot N:S ratio was found to be less accurate in predicting S deficiency than total S or sulphate-S. For prognostic purposes, a much higher S status at GS 37 was required to ensure no losses of DM yield due to S deficiency at maturity.     

Rapid homogeneous lauroylation of wheat straw hemicelluloses under mild conditions

Hemicellulose-based hydrophobic biomaterials with degrees of substitution ranging from 0.46 to 1.54 were synthesized under mild conditions in homogeneous media (N,N-dimethylformamide-lithium chloride) by reacting the native wheat straw hemicellulosic polymers with lauroyl chloride using 4-dimethylaminopyridine as a catalyst. Other catalysts such as N-bromosuccinimide, N-methyl pyrrolidine, N-methyl pyrrolidinone, and pyridine were also investigated. Under optimum reaction conditions (2 equiv of lauroyl chloride and triethylamine per hydroxyl group, 5% 4-dimethylaminopyridine, 40 °C, 35 min), a high DS value of 1.54 was obtained. The biomaterials were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy as well as by thermal analysis. The results showed that the lauroylation occurred preferably at the C-3 hydroxyl group of β-d-Xylp units in the hemicelluloses, and the thermal stability of the hydrophobic polymers increased by esterification.     

Monosaccharide yields and lignin removal from wheat straw in response to catalyst type and pH during mild thermal pretreatment

The influence of various low temperature (140 °C) pretreatments, using different acid and alkaline catalysts and different pH values, was studied for enzymatic hydrolysis of wheat straw. The pretreated wheat straw was treated by a standard blend of Celluclast 1.5L and Novozym 188. While pretreatment at pH 1 gave the highest yield of saccharides in the liquid fraction, the solid fraction was more susceptible to enzymatic attack when pretreated at pH 13. The highest yields were obtained after pretreatment with hydrochloric acid at pH 1, and with sodium hydroxide at pH 13 when enzymatic hydrolysis was employed. A two-step pretreatment strategy at pH 1 (hydrochloric acid) and subsequently at pH 13 (sodium hydroxide) released 69% and 95% of the theoretical maximal amounts of glucose and xylose, respectively. Furthermore, this two-step pretreatment removed 68% of the lignin from the straw with only minor losses of monosaccharides and production of only low amounts of inhibitors. Type of catalyst and pH indeed influenced the monosaccharide yields and lignin removal from wheat straw, and need more attention in the choice of pretreatment strategy.     

The effectiveness of biological treatment of wheat straw by white-rot fungi

Out of 13 species ofBasidiomycetes growing on wheat straw, 9 species enhanced thein vitro dry matter digestibility of the substrate. The detergent fiber content (acid and neutral) of the substrate was significantly reduced by most of the fungi tested. Hemicellulose showed the largest proportionate loss, whereas lignin the smallest one.     

耐盐和盐敏感型小麦品种对NaCl胁迫的生理响应及耐盐性差异

为探究小麦品种类型对盐胁迫的生理响应及敏感性差异,以耐盐型品种济麦22和盐敏感型品种河农6425为材料,对幼苗期植株施以不同浓度的NaCl胁迫处理,比较分析了两个品种幼苗在胁迫条件下的生长、生理生化和叶绿体荧光特征等方面的差异。结果表明,NaCl胁迫对幼苗地上和地下部分的生长表现浓度依赖性的抑制效应,对耐盐型品种的抑制程度较小。在生理响应方面,幼苗体内的Na⁺含量随NaCl 浓度的增加而上升,K⁺和Ca²⁺含量则表现相反的变化趋势,耐盐型品种幼苗在胁迫处理前、后均具有较高的K⁺/Na⁺比和Ca²⁺/Na⁺比;NaCl胁迫导致幼苗的光系统Ⅱ受损,表现在Fv/Fm、Fv/Fo、qP 和YⅡ 等叶绿体荧光参数数值下降,降幅在耐盐性品种上相对较小。在氧化胁迫和抗氧化系统方面,NaCl胁迫导致幼苗体内活性氧水平的上升和过氧化物酶（POD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）等抗氧化酶的响应;POD活性在处理后的0-12 d范围内呈先下降后上升的趋势,CAT活性则呈先上升后下降的趋势。耐盐品种的POD活性在胁迫早期受抑制时间较短,随后的响应更迅速且上升幅度更高;耐盐品种的CAT活性上升幅度更高,且在胁迫后期对高浓度NaCl和长时间胁迫导致的酶活性抑制的耐受性更强。耐盐品种抗氧化酶的这一响应特征与其较低的活性氧上升幅度一致,也与其较低水平的代表膜损伤程度的丙二醛（MDA）积累一致。耐盐型品种根部的MDA积累经200 mmol/L NaCl处理1 d后达到峰值,而盐敏感品种根部的MDA积累经150 mmol/L NaCl处理1 d后即达到峰值。以上研究结果表明,耐盐型小麦品种济麦22可分别通过其较强的K⁺/Na⁺、Ca²⁺/Na⁺调节能力和抗氧化酶体系缓解盐胁迫所导致的渗透胁迫和活性氧伤害,从而表现出耐盐的特征。     

The sulphur: Nitrogen ratio of conifer foliage in relation to atmospheric pollution with sulphur dioxide

Summary The S : N ratio of the current foliage of two commonly planted conifers, Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) was determined for areas known to have unpolluted atmospheres. The mean values of the ratio (0.034 and 0.028 respectively) were used to compare similar foliage from a) an industrialised area, and b) a series of transects radiating from a brickworks chimney. The established ratios were used to predict foliar S concentrations and the greater amounts found were ascribed to foliar absorption of atmospheric S. The ‘excess’ S was negatively related to distance from the supposed source, and also to needle weight which itself was positively related to distance. It is concluded that this measure derived from the S : N ratio is theoretically and practically a more sensitive indicator of the accumulation of S in conifer foliage exposed to atmospheric pollution than the analysis for elemental S or the SO₄-ion alone. re]19751115 Department of Forestry and Natural Resources University of Edinburgh     

Effects of sulphur dioxide preservation of flax straw on fibre components and microbial colonisation during dew-retting

The changes in flax straw structure when treated with sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and consequent effect on dew-retting of the treated straw were investigated. The active oxoanions released by sulfurous acid degraded phenolics bound to the polysaccharides and lipids leading to an increase in water-soluble carbohydrates and polyphenols. As a result, proportions of hemicellulose, nitrogen, sulphur, ash and caustic weight loss were higher in treated straw while lipid was reduced. The coarseness of treated fibre was possibly caused by in situ dryback of the hydrolysed polysaccharides. The deposition of salts containing high concentrations of sulphur, calcium and potassium in the vicinity of the fibre bundles and epidermal layer was observed and investigated. In a dew-retting trial comprising SO₂-treated and untreated samples, the SO₂ treatment delayed microbial colonisation and, consequently, retting by nearly 2 wk compared to the controls. The changes in pH, fungal population and polysaccharide degrading enzymes were monitored. The differences in fibre yield, fineness and strength are presented.     

Alkaline treatment of wheat straw for increasing anaerobic biodegradability

Wheat straw was treated with NaOH and anaerobically digested for methane production. Alkaline treatment resulted in a greater than 100% increase in biodegradability of wheat straw. The potential of a process flow scheme employing high alkali concentration at ambient temperature with solids separation and recycle of filtrate containing residual alkali was explored. The effect of NaOH on the solubilization of cell wall constituents and potential problems of toxicity are discussed. A solubilization model was developed which is used to predict biodegradability of whole samples based on solids and filtrate biodegradabilities. Energy requirements and chemical costs are also addressed.     

The feeding value of ammoniated flax straw,wheat straw and wheat chaff for beef cattle

Two experiments were conducted to assess the feeding value of ammoniated and untreated flax straw, wheat straw and wheat chaff in comparison to a mixed bromegrass/alfalfa hay. Anhydrous ammonia was applied to the crop residues at the rate of 35 kg t⁻¹ dry matter. In the first experiment, the effect of ammoniation on crude protein, acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL), digestible organic matter in vitro and in vivo (DOM%), ADF and NDF digestibility of the crop residues was determined. In the second experiment, ammoniated flax straw, ammoniated wheat straw, ammoniated and untreated wheat chaff, each supplemented with barley, were compared to bromegrass/alfalfa hay as feed sources for wintering beef cows.Ammoniation increased the crude protein content of the crop residues ∼2-fold. Wheat straw DOM in vitro and in vivo was not increased by ammoniation. Ammoniation increased the DOM in vitro of wheat chaff from 36.3 to 46% and flax straw from 35.2 to 46.3%. The DOM in vivo increased from 53.3 to 63.4% (P < 0.05) for wheat chaff and from 33.9 to 58.4% (P < 0.05) for flax straw following ammoniation. Digestibility of ADF increased from 9.9 to 43.9% (P < 0.05) and of NDF from −0.6 to 37.9% (P < 0.05) in flax straw with ammoniation. Non-significant increases in ADF and NDF digestibility were observed for all other crop residues. Lignin content was not changed in the crop residues by ammoniation.In the winter feeding trial, young cows gained more weight than older cows (P < 0.05). Average daily gains of cows were greatest for hay followed by ammoniated flax straw, ammoniated chaff, untreated chaff and ammoniated wheat straw rations (P < 0.05). Increases in backfat in the younger cows was greatest with hay and ammoniated flax straw, followed by ammoniated chaff and ammoniated wheat straw (P < 0.05). Untreated chaff caused no increase in backfat thickness.Ammoniated flax straw (3.2 kg day⁻¹) given with barley (5.6 kg day⁻¹), is similar in feeding value to medium quality bromegrass/alfalfa hay. Furthermore, wheat chaff and ammoniated wheat chaff show good potential as alternatives to hay in winter feeding.     

The effects of sulphur dioxide pollution on bark epiphytes

Abstract

Sematophyllum substrumulosum (Hampe) Broth. was found in 1995 on a decaying trunk of Pinus in Tresco, Isles of Scilly, the first report of the species in the British Isles.     

The retting of flax after preservation with sulphur dioxide

Experiments were carried out to compare the retting of moist flax preserved with sulphur dioxide with that of green dried flax, using whole straw samples. When retted in water at either a constant 20°C or 28°C dried flax was fully retted after 15 and 10 days respectively whereas the sulphur dioxide treated flax (20 g sulphur dioxide kg“¹ flax DM) had undergone almost no retting after 20 days at 20dC or 10 days at 28°C. Pre-soaking the treated flax for 24 h in water and changing the acidified water, raised the pH of the retting liquor to a more normal value but did not significantly increase the rate of retting. Addition of the pectinase enzyme preparation ‘Flaxzyme’ to retting liquor at the rate of either 1.5 g kg^-1 or 3.0 g kg^-1 water, and at a constant temperature of 20°C, substantially increased the rate of retting of both sulphur dioxide treated and dried flax. Optimum degree of retting was achieved at 24 h with the treated flax and at 97 h with the dried flax. Pre-rinsing of the sulphur dioxide treated straw only served to reduce the rate of retting. It was concluded that natural water retting of sulphur dioxide treated flax is retarded by the presence of acidic residues of sulphur dioxide, while enzyme retting is enhanced by these. In further smaller scale experiments using bundles of cut flax straw Flaxzyme was added at concentrations ranging from 0–8.0 ml litre ¹ to containers containing flax in water at ratios from 1:10 to 1: 600 flax:water and the producion of galacturonic acid was used as an indicator of retting progress. Retting took place more rapidly at higher flax to water ratios for a given enzyme concentration. This effect was attributed to the lower pH of higher flax to water ratios which created pH conditions closer to the pH optimum for the retting enzymes. When enzyme retting was compared at a range of buffered pH's the optimum was pH 4.0. At a buffered pH of 4.0 and a temperature of 19°C, retting of sulphur dioxide treated moist flax (flax to water ratio of 1:10) was achieved with Flaxzyme concentrations as low as 0.5 ml litre”‘,much lower than the previously reported minimum of 3.0 ml litre’.     

The enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation of pretreated wheat straw to ethanol

Autohydrolysis and ethanol-alkali pulping were used as pretreatment methods of wheat straw for its subsequent saccharification by Trichoderma reesei cellulase. The basic hydrolysis parameters, i.e., reaction time, pH, temperature, and enzyme and substrate concentration, were optimized to maximize sugar yields from ethanol-alkali modified straw. Thus, a 93% conversion of 2.5% straw material to sugar syrup containing 73% glucose was reached in 48 h using 40 filter paper units/g hydrolyzed substrate. The pretreated wheat straw was then fermented to ethanol at 43 degrees C in the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) process using T. reesei cellulase and Kluyveromyces fragilis cells. From 10% (w/v) of chemically treated straw (dry matter), 2.4% (w/v) ethanol was obtained after 48 h. When the T. reesei cellulase system was supplemented with beta-glucosidase from Aspergillus niger, the ethanol yield in the SSF process increased to 3% (w/v) and the reaction time was shortened to 24 h.     

The toxicity of sulphur dioxide to Diplocarpon rosae Wolf causing blackspot of roses

Germination of conidia of Diplocarpon rosae Wolf is inhibited in a solution made by dissolving 35 p.p.m. sulphur dioxide in water. Inhibition is permanent after exposure for 3 hr. Gaseous SO₂ in air under controlled conditions at 100μg./m³ markedly reduces infection of rose leaves after exposure for 2 days. Blackspot of roses is checked or eliminated in areas where SO₂ pollution of air exceeds 100/μ./m.³.     

Bioconversion of wheat straw and wheat straw components into single-cell protein.

Several fungi (Aspergillus niger, A. terreus, Cochliobolus specifer, Myrothecium verrucaria, Rhizoctonia solani, Spicaria fusispora, Penicillium sp., and Gliocladium sp.) were isolated from decomposing wheat straw and tested for their ability to utilize whole straw and its components, holocellulose (hemicellulose and cellulose) and cellulose, for the production of single-cell protein (SCP). It was found that C. specifer was the most efficient fungus for protein synthesis with the three substrates. Using potassium nitrate as N source in mixtures of 0.04 g N/g substrate (0.04% wt./vol.) at pH 4.5, it was found that incubation periods of 3, 4, and 5 days were optimal for protein production on cellulose and holocellulose fractions, and whole straw, respectively. Whole native straw was found to be the most recalcitrant to bioconversion into SCP; however, protein production was almost doubled when the lignin component was removed using a mixture of sodium chlorite and acetic acid.     

The pretreatment effect on wheat straw saccharification

Enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose is potentially an attractive method for converting cellulose into glucose which can then be used as a chemical feed or as a growth substrate for a number of microorganisms to produce microbial products. An enzymatic hydrolysis of wheat straw with cellulase preparation “Trichocease” was made. The wheat straw used was pretreated mechanically and with NaOH. A procedure of pretreatment was investigated in 26 variants. The dynamics of enzymatic hydrolysis was studied. An assay of this dynamics based on the amount of reducing sugars formed during the cellulase reaction and depending upon enzyme and substrate concentration and time of action was carried out.     

Pretreatment of wheat straw for fermentation to methane

The effects of pretreating wheat straw with gamma-ray irradiation, ammonium hydroxide, and sodium hydroxide on methane yield, fermentation rate constant, and loss of feedstock constituents were evaluated using laboratory-scale batch fermentors. Results showed that methane yield increased as pretreatment alkali concentration increased, with the highest yield being 37% over untreated straw for the pretreatment consisting of sodium hydroxide dosage of 34 g OH(-)/kg volatile solids, at 90 degrees C for 1 h. Gamma-ray irradiation had no significant effect on methane yield. Alkaline pretreatment temperatures above 100 degrees C caused a decrease in methane yield. After more than 100 days of fermentation, all of the hemi-cellulose and more than 80% of the cellulose were degraded. The loss in cellulose and hemicellulose accounted for 100% of the volatile solids lost. No consistent effect of pretreatments on batch fermentation rates was noted. Semicontinuous fermentations of straw-manure mixtures confirmed the relative effectiveness of sodium and ammonium-hydroxide pretreatments.