Effect of Water Stress on Transpiration in Birch Seedlings

Transpiration of birch seedlings in the field is largely controlled by the amount of available water in the soil. This is in contrast with the situation found in CO₂ exchange, where distinct interaction between temperature and drought was observed in our previous studies. The present study indicates that no similar relationships exist as far as transpiration is concerned, and in agreement with our previous preliminary studies, separate control mechanisms thus seem to affect transpiration on the one hand and photosynthesis on the other under natural conditions.     

A Definition of Optimum Nutrient Requirements in Birch Seedlings

Birch seedlings (Betula verrucosa Enrh.) were grown in nutrient solutions with pH varied in the range 2.5 to 6.8 or temperature varied in the range 2.5 to 35°C. The criteria for maximum growth previously established for birch seedlings were used and maintained by means of automatic pH and conductivity titrations with stock solutions containing the optimum nutrient proportions. Both nitrogen sources, NH₄ and NO₃, were present in the solutions. Growth rate was maximum or close to maximum between pH 4.0 and 6.8, whether kept at a specific level or allowed to vary between the extremes. At pH 3.5 and lower, the calcium uptake was decreased and root damage was observed. The seedlings has also a high dry matter content and obviously an unsatisfactory water balance. pH 2.5 was rapidly lethal. Growth rate was linearly correlated with solution temperature up to 20°C. Temperatures above 30°C, especially in the range 32.5 to 35°C, resulted in rapid decrease in growth rate. The nutrient contents in the seedlings were strongly affected by solution temperature in the low as well as in the high range when expressed on a dry weight basis. However, this effect was almost entirely attributable to changes in dry matter content. When expressed on a fresh weight basis, nutrient uptake and nutrient status of the seedlings appeared to be optimum throughout, although a variation remained since the varying dry matter content is included in the fresh weight basis. The results indicate, in agreement with the literature, that disturbed water uptake and water balance is the way in which growth is affected by root medium temperature. Similarly, extremely low pH levels in the nutrient solution meant root damage, although birch seedlings appear comparatively insensitive to pH variations. Thus, the growth technique used supplied the seedlings with adequate nutrients, so that the criteria used in the definition of nutrient requirements in birch seedlings are valid within wide ranges of solution pH and temperature; and other factors than nutrition determine growth.     

外源褪黑素对高温胁迫条件下黄瓜幼苗氮代谢的影响

以‘津优4号’（热敏感型）和‘美国保尔’（耐热型）黄瓜幼苗为试材,研究了叶面喷施褪黑素对高温胁迫条件下黄瓜幼苗氮代谢的影响。结果显示,高温胁迫下,（1）两种黄瓜幼苗硝态氮含量先升高后降低,‘津优4号’总氮和氨态氮含量先下降后持续升高,而‘美国保尔’总氮和氨态氮含量持续上升;（2）两种黄瓜幼苗硝酸还原酶（NR）活性均先上升后下降,而谷氨酰胺合成酶（Gs）、谷氨酸合成酶（GOGAT）和谷氨酸脱氢酶（GDH）均持续下降,‘美国保尔’的4种酶活性下降幅度显著低于‘津优4号’。研究结果表明,叶面喷施褪黑素可有效缓解高温胁迫对NR、GS、GOGAT和GDH的抑制作用,显著增加硝态氮含量,降低氨态氮含量,减轻氨态氮积累对黄瓜幼苗造成的毒害作用,增强高温胁迫条件下黄瓜幼苗氮素的代谢能力,减轻高温胁迫对黄瓜幼苗造成的伤害,提高黄瓜幼苗抵御高温胁迫的能力。     

A Definition of Optimum Nutrient Requirements in Birch Seedlings. II

The aim of the experiments described was to specify further the nutrient requirements of birch seedlings. A growth method is described in which the nutrients consumed at maximum growth of birch seedlings can be replaced, without change of the nutrient solution, by means of additions made as pH and conductivity titrations so that three conditions are satisfied: 1) All necessary mineral nutrients are present in the plant in optimum proportions. 2) The nitrogen sources NH⁴+ and NO₃- are present in the nutrient solution in an optimum ratio. 3) Total concentration in the solution is optimum. The three conditions may be regarded as criteria in a definition of nutrient requirements. The possible use of criterion 1 as an expression of the optimum nutrient status is also discussed. A considerable increase in light intensity had no significant effect on the optimum nutrient proportions or the optimum total concentration. A tendency to lower ammonium uptake in relation to nitrate was induced when both nitrogen sources were present. Simple stock nutrient solution systems are listed and discussed.     

A Definition of Optimum Nutrient Requirements in Birch Seedlings. I.

The aim of the investigation was to find a method of growing birch seedlings with a constant optimum nutrient status. The studies in this paper have indicated important factors in such a growth method which must be comprised in a definition of nutrient requirements. The optimum nutrient proportions in the seedlings and the optimum total concentration in the solution must be known. Special attention must be paid to the ratio between NH₄⁺ and NO₃^?in the solution and in the uptake. The amounts of nutrients taken up at optimum nutrition can be followed by measurement of pH and conductivity. Thus, the nutrients consumed may be replaced by titrations which may be automated by standard equipment. The nutrient proportions to be added are determined by the optimum internal proportions. It is not necessary to change the nutrient solution even if the volume is relatively small in relation to plant mass. There was no evidence of effects of accumulation of root exudates or infections. By using the system described, it is possible to attain considerably greater fresh and dry matter production in birch seedlings than when an optimum conventional solution is used.     

Effects of Resource Availability on Carbon Allocation and Developmental Instability in Cloned Birch Seedlings

Abundant nitrogen improves seedling growth and establishment. Vigorous growth brings about changes in rates and patterns of plant development and changes in the relationship between primary and secondary metabolism, which may make seedlings more susceptible to herbivores and pathogens than are slow-growing seedlings. We studied how nitrogen fertilization and manual defoliation of source leaves affect growth, carbon allocation, and developmental instability in cloned seedlings of white birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.). Biomass was higher, whereas concentrations of most classes of phenolic compounds were lower in the nitrogen-rich environment. Interestingly, fertilization did not change the concentrations of cell wall-bound proanthocyanidins, which represent an important fraction of the group of phenolic compounds. Nitrogen enrichment increased levels of fluctuating asymmetry, an index of developmental instability. This result confirms that not only stress but also any deviation from normal resource availability may increase leaf developmental instability in birches. In contrast to fertilization, a one-time defoliation of source leaves did not shape seedling growth, development, or carbon allocation. This could be the result of compensatory growth or of the fact that the defoliation treatment was not strong enough to induce detectable effects until the end of the growing season.     

Inhibition of Nitrogen and Photosynthetic Carbon Assimilation of Maize Seedlings by Exposure to a Combination of Salt Stress and Potassium-Deficient Stress

The main aim of this work is to identify how the combined stresses affect the interdependent nitrogen and photosynthetic carbon assimilations in maize. Maize plants were cultivated in Meider's solution. They were subjected to salt stress and potassium deficiency in the K-present Meider's media and K-deficient Meider's media. After 5?weeks, we measured chlorophyll a fluorescence and the activities of several enzymes in metabolic checkpoints coordinating primary nitrogen and carbon assimilation in the leaves of maize. The study showed that the combination of salt stress and potassium-deficient stress more significantly decreased nitrate uptake, plant growth, the activities of nitrate reductase, glutamate dehydrogenase, glutamate synthase, urease, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, glutamic-oxaloace transaminase, sucrose-phosphate synthase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, and the synthesis of free amino acids, chlorophyll, and protein than those of each individual stress, respectively. However, the combined stresses significantly increased the accumulation of ammonium and carbohydrate products. The combined stresses also significantly decreased the oxygen evolution, the electron transport, and the efficiency of photochemical energy conversion by photosystem II in maize seedlings. Taken together, a combination of salt stress and potassium-deficient stress impaired the assimilations of both nitrogen and carbon and decreased the photosystem II activity in maize.     

不同氮水平下盐胁迫对大麦幼苗中某些氮化物积累的影响(简报)

在土培条件下,提高氮素供应水平和NaCl处理浓度后大麦幼苗地上部和根中的全氮,蛋白质氮和游离氨基酸总量增加;蛋白质氮占全氮的比值亦因NaCl处理浓度的增大而提高。在盐胁迫下,游离脯氨酸占氨基酸总量的百分比明显增加,而谷氨酸所占比例则下降。     

Nitrogen Uptake by Apple Seedlings as Affected by Light, and Nutrient Stress in Part of the Root System

The adaptation of apple seedlings, Pyrus malus L., to localized nutrient stress was studied by measuring nitrogen uptake. Seedlings with split root systems were grown in nutrient solution. Various proportions of the roots were subjected to nutrient stress by placing some of the roots in water. The nitrogen uptake by stressed plants was measured under constant and varied lighting. Under optimum lighting it was found that if part of the root system was deprived of nitrogen, then the remainder partially compensated for this deficiency by increasing its uptake. This adaptation, however, was substantially reduced under low levels of lighting.     

大麦氮敏感基因型苗期对氮饥饿的生理响应

以大田试验获得的大麦氮敏感基因型BI-45为材料,利用溶液培养方法,测定了苗期株高、根长、叶绿素含量、含氮量、谷氨酰胺合成酶和硝酸还原酶活性,以及与氮代谢相关的基因（GSI-GSl-2、GSI-3、GS2、Narl、NRT2．J、NRT2-2、NRT2-3和NRT2-4）的表达。结果表明：相对于正常供氮,氮饥饿胁迫下,BI-45根和叶中的氮素利用率提高,含氮量降低,叶绿素含量减少,根冠比增加;叶片中的谷氨酰胺合成酶活性和硝酸还原酶的活性高于根,但是,与叶中的相比,根中的谷氨酰胺合成酶活性升高及硝酸还原酶活性降低的差异性更显著;与正常供氮相比,氮饥饿处理下,根中基因傩家族,基Narl和硝酸盐转运蛋白基因NRT2家族的相对表达量皆达到显著性差异,其中GSl-I、GSl-2和NRT2-2在苗期大麦氮饥饿处理下表现尤为突出,并且在6h都有上调表达。     

Performance of Birch Seedlings Replanted in Heavily Polluted Industrial Barrens of the Kola Peninsula, Northwest Russia

Industrial barrens replacing coniferous forests around the Severonikel smelter in the Kola Peninsula, northwestern Russia, have recently expanded over 3000 ha or more. Total concentrations of metal contaminants in the upper soil layers approach 3000–5000 μg/g, and maximum hourly concentrations of sulphur dioxide in ambient air exceed 1000 μg/m³. To monitor possibilities for vegetation recovery in the denuded landscapes continuously affected by industrial emissions, we conducted several experiments with 4- to 15-year-old (1–25 cm tall) seedlings of Betula pubescens ssp. czerepanovi (mountain birch), replanted to two barren sites. Specifically, we investigated the effects of wind-sheltering, watering, and fertilization on seedling performance in the polluted sites. Sheltered and watered seedlings had more symmetrical leaves than control seedlings, suggesting less environmental stress. Consistently, sheltering and (to a lesser extent) watering improved the survival of seedlings compared with controls. The beneficial effects of watering and sheltering were most pronounced the first 2–4 weeks following planting and were greatest in the most polluted site. We conclude that the revegetation of industrial barrens can be significantly promoted by inexpensive treatments such as wind sheltering and watering, even under current emissions.     

甘蓝型油菜幼苗对NaCl胁迫的抗氧化应答

酶活性相应提高,从而在一定程度上提高了植物对NaCl胁迫的耐受能力.     

Amelioration of NaCl Stress by Triadimefon in Soybean Seedlings

NaCl stress decreased root growth, shoot length and dry matter production of Glycine max seedlings. It has also caused accumulation of proline and amino acids and decreased protein and nucleic acid contents of the seedlings. Addition of triadimefon to NaCl stressed seedlings partially restored the growth and increased the protein, amino acid, proline and nucleic acid contents of the seedlings. The root biomass production under combination of triadimefon and NaCl was even larger than control. Thus triadimefon can ameliorate the effect of NaCl stress in soybean. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Osmotic Stress Increases Alcohol Dehydrogenase Activity in Maize Seedlings

Maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings were exposed to osmotic stress, and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity and abscisic acid (ABA) concentration were determined. The osmotic stress increased ADH activities in both roots and shoots, whereas the increase was 2-fold greater in roots than the shoots. The stress also increased ABA concentration in both roots and shoots and the increase was greater in the roots than in the shoots.     

Early Changes in S-Nitrosoproteome in Soybean Seedlings Under Flooding Stress

Plant Molecular Biology Reporter - The shift from aerobic to anaerobic respiration is crucial for soybean response to flooding stress; however, the regulatory mechanism in action at the initial...     

氮素形态对黄檗幼苗生长及氮代谢相关酶类的影响

通过改变水培溶液中NH4^＋-N和NO3^--N的比例,研究了不同氮素形态对黄檗（Phellodendron amurense）幼苗生长及氮代谢相关酶类的影响。结果表明,硝态氮比例较高的营养供给比铵态氮比例较高的营养供给有利于黄檗幼苗的生长,叶片叶绿素含量和可溶性蛋白含量也高。在NH4^＋-N／NO3^--N为25／75时黄檗幼苗具有最大生物量。在铵态氮比例大的营养供给下,黄檗幼苗的谷氨酰胺合成酶（GS）活性增强,而在硝态氮比例大的营养供给下幼苗的硝酸还原酶（NR）活性则较高,叶片中的硝态氮较低。营养液的氮素形态及其组成通过影响GS与NR的活性而调控黄檗幼苗的氮素代谢。     

Effect of Nitrogen and Water Stress on Photosynthesis and Nitrogen Content in Wheat

The relationships between photosynthesis, leaf nitrogen content and water stress were studied in ten genotypes of wheat differing in the presence of dwarfing genes. Net photosynthetic rate (P_N) was mostly higher at ear emergence stage than at anthesis stage. P_N decreased with water stress (leaf water potential from –2.0 to –2.5 MPa), and with reduced leaf N content in all genotypes studied. Among the various genotypes, single dwarf and wild types showed higher P_N rate and maintained higher leaf N content under different N doses and water supply as compared to the other types studied.     

Response of Ammonia Assimilation in Cucumber Seedlings to Nitrate Stress

The influence of increased nitrate concentration—14 (control) and 140 mmol L⁻¹ (T)—in hydroponic culture on ammonia assimilation in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Xintaimici) seedlings was investigated. The results showed that NH₃ accumulation in the roots and leaves of T seedlings increased significantly, indicating that NH₃ toxicity might be involved in nitrate stress. Under control conditions, GS and GOGAT activity were much higher in the leaves than in the roots, whereas GDH activity was much higher in the roots than in the leaves. Correlation analysis showed that NH₃ concentration had a strong negative linear relationship with GDH activity in the roots but had a strong negative linear relationship with GS and GOGAT activity in the leaves. These results indicate that NH₃ might be assimilated primarily via GDH reaction in the roots and via GS/GOGAT cycle in the leaves. Short-term nitrate stress resulted in the increase of GS and GOGAT activity in the roots and GDH activity in the leaves of T seedlings, indicating possible shifts in ammonia assimilation from the normal GDH pathway to GS/GOGAT pathway in the roots and from the normal GS/GOGAT pathway to the GDH pathway in the leaves under nitrate stress, but with the increase of treatment time, GS, GOGAT, and GDH activity in the roots and leaves of T seedlings decreased possibly due to low water potential and NH₃ toxicity.