Effect of autoclave sterilization of a tropical andept on seed germination and seedling growth

Summary Steam sterilization of a Typic Dystrandept in Costa Rica resulted in a six-fold increase in extractable Mn, to levels often considered toxic. Seeds of eight species, comprised of six successional taxa and two cultivars (soybean,Glycine max and raddish,Raphanus sativus) were planted in the sterilized soil and in unsterilized soil after delays of 1, 8, 15, and 28 days. Germination and mortality were not different in the two soils, indicating that steamsterilized soil can safely be used in seed traps. Six species (including both cultivars) grew better in unsterilized soil, but two of the native taxa (Phytolacca rivinoides andBocconia frutescens) grew significantly faster in sterilized soil.     

Effects of forest fire ash on germination and early growth of four pinus species

Fire modifies the germination of seeds of numerous species. One of the fire factors that cause these modifications is the ash. This study analysed the germination of seeds of Pinus sylvestris L., Pinus nigra Arn. Pinus radiata D. Don and Pinus pinaster Aiton, subjected to different ash treatments, and the development of seedlings that grew in these conditions for 14 weeks. We obtained the ash by completely burning leaves and small twigs from the most abundant woody species in populations of pines. The ash treatments applied were as follows: Control (without ash), Low (half of the amount registered in a fire), Medium (equal to the amount registered in a fire) and High (double the amount registered in a fire). Germination took place on paper inside Petri dishes and in soil, and growth was only analysed for the plants that grew in the soil. For all species, and especially P. nigra, germination rate decreased as the amount of ash applied increased. The negative effects of the ash were more apparent following treatments in Petri dishes than in the soil. In the dishes, the average germination time varies little between the four species of pine. In soil, the average germination time is more prolonged, and only some differences were observed between treatments in P. sylvestris and P. nigra. In these species the high treatment significantly increased the average germination time. We found a greater sensitivity of P. sylvestris and P. nigra to the addition of ash, showing a higher seedling mortality rate. However, it appears that seedling development (length and weight) was not affected in any of the species through the addition of ash. These tests allow us to deduce that, in P. sylvestris, P. nigra, P. radiata and P. pinaster, the ash produced by forest fires has an inhibiting effect on germination and little effect on the development of seedlings in the first months of life. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Seed germination and seedling growth ofCarex doenitzii growing on alpine zone of Mt. Fuji

Carex doenitzii on the upper timberline of Mt. Fuji were studied to determine the effect of thermal conditions on their seed germination and seedling growth. Mature seeds collected at the end of the growing season were divided into five test groups, and each was germinated at constant temperature, the temperatures being 15 C, 20 C, 25 C, 30 C and 35 C. Seed germination percentage was highest (93%) at 25 C. Seedlings germinated at 25 C were grown in chambers at 15/10 C, 25/20 C and 35/30 C. Growth of seedlings was greatest at 25/20 C. The data suggest that the seed germination and seedling growth ofC. doenitzii occur only under limited conditions in the field.     

DNA fragmentation by gamma radiation and electron beams using atomic force microscopy

Double-stranded pBS plasmid DNA was irradiated with gamma rays at doses ranging from 1 to 12 kGy and electron beams from 1 to 10 kGy. Fragment-size distributions were determined by direct visualization, using atomic force microscopy with nanometer-resolution operating in non-tapping mode, combined with an improved methodology. The fragment distributions from irradiation with gamma rays revealed discrete-like patterns at all doses, suggesting that these patterns are modulated by the base pair composition of the plasmid. Irradiation with electron beams, at very high dose rates, generated continuous distributions of highly shattered DNA fragments, similar to results at much lower dose rates found in the literature. Altogether, these results indicate that AFM could supplement traditional methods for high-resolution measurements of radiation damage to DNA, while providing new and relevant information.     

Gamma radiation effects on seed germination, growth and pigment content, and ESR study of induced free radicals in maize (Zea mays)

The effects of gamma radiation are investigated by studying plant germination, growth and development, and biochemical characteristics of maize. Maize dry seeds are exposed to a gamma source at doses ranging from 0.1 to 1 kGy. Our results show that the germination potential, expressed through the final germination percentage and the germination index, as well as the physiological parameters of maize seedlings (root and shoot lengths) decreased by increasing the irradiation dose. Moreover, plants derived from seeds exposed at higher doses (≤0.5 kGy) did not survive more than 10 days. Biochemical differences based on photosynthetic pigment (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids) content revealed an inversely proportional relationship to doses of exposure. Furthermore, the concentration of chlorophyll a was higher than chlorophyll b in both irradiated and non-irradiated seedlings. Electron spin resonance spectroscopy used to evaluate the amount of free radicals induced by gamma ray treatment demonstrates that the relative concentration of radiation-induced free radicals depends linearly on the absorbed doses.     

Interactive effects of salt and alkali stresses on seed germination,germination recovery,and seedling growth of a halophyte Spartina alterniflora (Poaceae)

Soil salinization and alkalinization frequently co-occur in nature, but there is little information on the interactive effects of salt and alkali stresses on plants. Seed germination and early seedling growth are crucial stages for plant establishment. We investigated the interactive effects of salt and alkali stresses on seed germination, germination recovery and seedling growth of a halophyte Spartina alterniflora. Seed germination percentage was not significantly reduced at low salinity (≤ 200 mM) at pH 6.63–9.95, but decreased with increased salinity and pH. Ungerminated seeds germinated well after transfer to distilled water from treatment solutions, indicating that seeds can remain viable in high salt–alkaline habits. Shoot growth was stimulated at low salinity and pH, but decreased with increased salinity and pH. Radicle elongation decreased sharply with increased salinity and pH, and was significantly inhibited when pH ≥ 9.0, indicating that the radicles are very sensitive to salt–alkaline stress. The deleterious effects of salinity or high pH alone were less than when combined. A reciprocal enhancement of salt and alkali stresses is a characteristic feature for salt–alkaline stress. Stepwise regression analysis indicates that salinity is the dominant factor, while pH and buffer capacity are secondary for salt–alkaline mixed stress.     

UV-B辐射对植物花粉萌发率和花粉管生长的累积效应

研究了19种植物花粉在不同UV－B辐射强度和辐照时间下其萌发率和花粉管伸长的变化,结果表明,UV－B辐射增加显著抑制大多数植物花粉的萌发率和花粉管生长;与对照相比,较高强度的UV－B对花粉的抑制作用大于较低强度;几个种的花粉萌发率及花粉管生长对UV－B增强不敏感,甚至被UV－B辐射所促进;辐射时间越长,对花粉抑制作用愈大,说明具有辐射累积效应,由此可知,植物花粉的萌发过程对UV－B的敏感性变化在自然条件下将会产生严重的生态学后果。     

Cu、As对作物种子萌发和幼苗生长影响的研究

通过水培实验研究了Cu、As污染对作物种子萌发、幼苗生长及部分酶活性的影响。结果表明,Cu,As污染明显抑制黄豆种子萌发、幼苗生长,对作物种子萌发时的呼吸强度、酶活性有显著的抑制作用,且随着Cu、As浓度的增加,抑制作用增强,呈负相关;而POD活性则随污染物浓度的增加而增加,呈正相关。     

Changes in germination, growth and soluble sugar contents of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench seeds under various abiotic stresses

The effect of various abiotic stresses on germination rate, growth and soluble sugar content in Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench cv. CSH 6 seed embryos and endosperm during early germination was investigated. Under stress conditions germination, water potential and tissue water content decreased markedly. Subsequently, this reduction resulted in marked decreases in fresh weight both in embryos and endosperm. Conversely, a substantial increase in dry weight was observed. Furthermore, a considerable increase in the sugar contents in both embryo and endosperm was detected. The fructose level was always higher than glucose and sucrose in response to various stresses. However, as compared to the control the level of glucose and sucrose was higher in embryos and endosperm after stress treatments. Based upon these results a possible physiological role of sugars in the germination of sorghum seeds is discussed.     

Influence of gibberellic acid and different salt concentrations on germination percentage and physiological parameters of oat cultivars

Gibberellic acid (GA₃) is one of the plant growth regulators which improve salt tolerance and mitigate the salt stress impact on plants. The extant analysis was carried out to study the effect of GA₃ and different salt concentrations on seed germination and physiological parameters of oat cultivars. Oats is substantially less tolerant to salt than wheat and barley. Experimentation was conducted as factorial with Completely Randomized Block Design with three replicates. Different concentration of NaCl salt ((25, 50, 75 and 100 mM) were used in test control group and 100 and 150 ppm of GA₃ were used in two group by pre-treated (after 24 h of the seed soaking) and plants were analyzed on 15th day. Results indicate that increasing salinity would decrease the germination percentage and growth parameter in three oat cultivars. Quotes data indicating a 13%, 19.9% and 32.48% in cultivars NDO-2, UPO-212 and UPO-94 germination reduction when soil salinity reaches 50 mM. A 36.02%, 47.33% and 56.365 reduction in germination is likely when soil salinity reaches 100 mM respectively same cultivars. Seeds treated with GA₃ significantly promoted the percentage of germination, shoot and root length, total fresh and dry weight of seedling, tissue water content and seedling vigor index by NDO-2 and UPO-212 under different saline concentration. The maximum average of germination and growth parameters were observed from 150 ppm GA₃ treated seeds. But this concentration was significantly inhibited root length in sensitive cultivar UPO-94 at 75 and 100 mM salt as compared to 100 ppm. We observed that, the high concentration of GA₃ was not suitable for sensitive oat cultivars. Because the plant root are the real workforce behind any plants success. Thus, it may be concluding that, GA₃ treatment could curtail the toxic effect of salinity by increasing germination percentage and shoot and root length, total fresh and dry weight, tissue water content and seedling vigor index in tolerant cultivar.     

Biological control of sunflower necrosis virus disease with powder and liquid formulations of plant growth promoting microbial consortia under field conditions

Sunflower necrosis virus disease (SNVD) was reported to cause a significant damage to sunflower production in India. Based on the biocontrol efficacy against SNVD observed in the previous greenhouse experiments, two plant growth promoting microbial consortia (PGPMCs) viz., PGPMC-1 consisting of Bacillus licheniformis strain MML2501 + Bacillus sp. strain MML2551 + Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain MML2212 + Streptomyces fradiae strain MML1042 and PGPMC-2 consisting of B. licheniformis MML2501 + Bacillus sp. MML2551 + P. aeruginosa MML2212 were used in the present study. Powder and liquid formulations of the above plant growth promoting microorganisms (PGPMs) were evaluated along with farmers’ practice (imidacloprid + mancozeb) and control in farmers’ fields. Significant disease reduction, increase of seed germination, plant height and yield parameters with an additional seed yield of 840 kg/ha, an additional income of Rs. 10,920/ha and benefit cost ratio of 6.1 were recorded following treatment with a powder formulation of PGPMC-1 compared to control. Further, liquid formulation of PGPMC-1 significantly reduced SNVD up to 51.4% compared to control. Besides, this treatment improved the seed germination (24.4%), plant height (61.3%), yield parameters with an additional seed yield of 936 kg/ha and an additional income of Rs. 12,168/ha. Benefit cost ratio was calculated as 6.8 in this treatment compared to 4.6 and 3.7, respectively for PGPMC-2 liquid formulation and farmers’ practice compared to control. This is the first report of PGPMCs mediated biological control of SNVD under field conditions.     

铜尾矿对5种豆科植物种子萌发和幼苗生长影响的初步研究

通过水培实验和土培实验,研究了铜陵铜尾矿对5种豆科植物种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响。结果表明,五种豆科植物种子在尾矿浸提液中均能萌发,但萌发率比对照组低,而且浸提液对种子萌发产生一定的阻滞作用,酸化尾矿浸提液对种子萌发初期的吸胀吸水有促进作用。尾矿与土壤5种不同改良方式的基质试验也发现铜尾矿对种子萌发着阻滞作用,其中大豆、赤豆、赤小豆在70d内未发现死苗现象。     

Calculating solar and longwave radiation for a Mediterranean lake under various weather conditions

Two years of hourly measurements of global solar radiation and downward longwave radiation were used to estimate the radiative balance of Lake Banyoles, a small karstic Mediterranean lake. The performance of several empirical estimation equations on an hourly and a daily basis were evaluated taking into account various meteorological conditions. The new coefficients in the formulae for the effective emittance, which have been derived from meteorological data, demonstrate that these coefficients strongly depend on the radiation climate of the respective area. In the Mediterranean climate of Lake Banyoles, changes in wind direction and relative humidity after the vertical distribution of vapour pressure beneath the cloud layer. Different median experimental errors were found depending on the time scale and cloud cover. Comparison of global solar radiation measured at Banyoles with estimated values shows good agreement for clear skies, especially for daily means. On a daily scale, the root mean squared (r.m.s.) error was found to be 8% for solar radiation and 12% for longwave radiation. On an hourly scale, different r.m.s. errors were obtained depending on the degree of cloud cover.     

Seed reserve composition in 19 tree species of a tropical deciduous forest in Mexico and its relationship to seed germination and seedling growth

Background and Aims

The size and composition of seed reserves may reflect the ecological strategy and evolutionary history of a species and also temporal variation in resource availability. The seed mass and composition of seed reserves of 19 co-existing tree species were studied, and we examined how they varied among species in relation to germination and seedling growth rates, as well as between two years with contrasting precipitation (652 and 384 mm).

Methods

Seeds were collected from a tropical deciduous forest in the northwest of Mexico (Chamela Biological Station). The seed dry mass, with and without the seed coat, and the concentrations of lipids, nitrogen and non-structural carbohydrates for the seed minus seed coat were determined. The anatomical localization of these reserves was examined using histochemical analysis. The germination capacity, rate and lag time were determined. The correlations among these variables, and their relationship to previously reported seedling relative growth rates, were evaluated with and without phylogenetic consideration.

Key Results

There were interannual differences in seed mass and reserve composition. Seed was significantly heavier after the drier year in five species. Nitrogen concentration was positively correlated with seed coat fraction, and was significantly higher after the drier year in 12 species. The rate and lag time of germination were negatively correlated with each other. These trait correlations were also supported for phylogenetic independent contrasts. Principal component analysis supported these correlations, and indicated a negative association of seedling relative growth rate with seed size, and a positive association of germination rate with nitrogen and lipid concentrations.

Conclusions

Nitrogen concentration tended to be higher after the drier year and, while interannual variations in seed size and reserve composition were not sufficient to affect interspecific correlations among seed and seedling traits, some of the reserves were related to germination variables and seedling relative growth rate.     

城市污泥对作物种子发芽及幼苗生长影响的初步研究

不同类型污泥及其堆肥对通菜、菜心种子发芽和幼苗生长影响的研究表明 ,深圳生污泥、佛山生污泥和广州生污泥及其堆肥对通菜种子的发芽率有明显的影响 ,前者仅为73% ,其余的在 85%左右 ,均低于对照处理 ( 93% ) .而它们对菜心种子的发芽率 ,除了深圳生污泥有抑制作用外 ( 75% ) ,其余均表现为促进作用 ( 90 % ) ,均高于对照处理 ( 85% ) .它们对于两种作物幼苗的生长则均表现为不同程度的抑制作用甚至是损害作用 .污泥及其堆肥中抑制作物种子发芽和幼苗生长的物质主要是有机酸和醛类等有机物 .生污泥经过消化作用或适当的堆沤作用可降解这些有机物 ,从而减弱或消除这种抑制作用 .因此 ,生污泥经过消化作用或适当的堆沤作用后用于农业生产更为安全 .但对刚施用污泥或污泥堆肥的耕地最好不要直接播种 .     

The effect of plant growth regulators, nitric oxide, nitrate, nitrite and light on the germination of dimorphic seeds of Suaeda salsa under saline conditions

Suaeda salsa, a leaf succulent shrub in the family Chenopodiaceae, is one of the most important halophytes in China. Suaeda salsa produces dimorphic seeds (soft brown seeds and hard black seeds). Seeds of S. salsa were collected from the coastal salt flats near Huanghua City, China. Experiments were conducted to determine the salinity-alleviating effect of plant growth regulators, nitric oxide, nitrate, nitrite and light on the germination of dimorphic seeds of S. salsa. Brown seeds had a higher germination rate than black seeds in all experiments. Black seeds were more sensitive to salt in the absence of light in comparison to brown seeds. Brown seeds absorbed water more quickly in comparison to black seeds and were found to be more tolerant of salt stress. Our results showed that 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC, the immediate precursor of ethylene), nitrite, GA₄ and BA improved seed germination in the presence of salt. However, nitrate, GA₁, GA₃ failed to alleviate salt stress. ABA inhibited seed germination and seedling growth. Possible mechanisms involved in the alleviation of salt stress in S. salsa seeds and the ecological adaptation of the seeds to the environment are discussed.     

The effect of gamma radiation and N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea on cultured maize callus growth and plant regeneration

Regenerable maize calli of two inbred lines were exposed to 0 to 100 Gy of gamma rays or treated with 0 to 30 mM of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) to determine their effect on growth and plant regeneration capability. Both growth and plant regeneration capacity decreased with increasing levels of either gamma radiation or ENU; however, plant regeneration capacity was more sensitive to either agent than growth. The 50% inhibition dose (I₅₀) for callus growth (fresh-weight gain) was approximately 100 Gy of gamma radiation and 30 mM ENU. The I₅₀ for plant regeneration capacity of treated callus was approximately 25 Gy of gamma radiation and 2.5 mM ENU. The decrease in plant regeneration capacity correlated with a change in tissue composition of the treated callus from a hard, yellow and opaque tissue to a soft, grayish-yellow and translucent tissue. This change was quantified by measuring the reduction of MnO₄^- to MnO₂ (PR assay) by the callus. These results suggest that the effect of gamma radiation or ENU on plant regeneration capacity must be taken into consideration if these potentially mutagenic agents are to be used on maize callus cultures, for the purpose of producing useful mutations at a whole plant level. The data also suggest that the PR assay may be useful for predicting the actual plant regeneration capacity of maize callus.Abbreviations g f.w. gram fresh weight - ENU N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea - PR assay permanganate reduction assay - I₅₀ 50% inhibition dose     

The effect of enhanced ultraviolet-B radiation on germination and seedling development of plant species occurring in a dune grassland ecosystem

The germination of seeds of seven plant species occurring in a dune grassland vegetation of the Netherlands, was studied at four levels of UV-B radiation simulating unto 45% stratospheric ozone reduction during April. With the exception of seeds of Senecio jacobaea, germination of the dune grassland species was not affected by enhanced UV-B irradiance. Although a clear UV-B fluence-response relationship was not observed, the germination rate of S. jacobaea seeds and maximal germination percentage were reduced at enhanced UV-B. Germination rate in the dark was higher than germination in the light for Oenothera biennis, Plantago lanceolata, Rumex obtusifolius and S. jacobaea. Total dry biomass accumulation of seedlings was not affected by increased UV-B radiation in any of the species tested. Clear-cut differences in UV-absorbance of methanolic extracts were observed between species. Enhanced UV-B irradiance stimulated UV-absorbance of seedling extracts of Holcus lanatus and Verbascum thapsus. A clear UV-B fluence-response relationship was observed for both species. The results indicate that germination of the studied plant species probably will not be adversely affected by the expected stratospheric ozone reduction in The Netherlands.     

Some morphological and anatomical observations during alleviation of salinity (NaCI) stress on seed germination and seedling growth of barley by polyamines

In this work, the effects of polyamine (cadaverine, putrescine, spermidine, spermine) pretreatments on the germination of barley seeds, seedling growth under saline (NaCI) conditions and on leaf anatomy of the seedlings grown for 20 days in pots with perlite containing different concentrations of NaCI prepared with Hoagland solutions following the germination period of 7 days were studied. The inhibitive effect of salt on seed germination and seedling growth was alleviated in varying degrees, and dramatically, by polyamine pretreatments at the levels of NaCI studied; particularly with lower levels of salt, the control seeds were able to germinate with great difficulty. Also, the successes of these pretreatments continued, even decreased, with higher levels of NaCI such that the control seeds showed no germination. On the other hand, on the various parameters of leaf anatomy of barley seedlings, interactions between pretreatments of polyamine and salinity, with some of these being statistically important, were observed.