Design of a biofilter packed with crab shell and operation of the biofilter fed with leaf mold solution as a nutrient

After measuring toluene adsorption (15.7 mg-toluene/g-material), water holding capacity (18.5%), organic content (53.8%), specific surface area (18.1 m²/g-material), and microbial attachment, crab shells were chosen as the main packing material for a biofilter design. The crab shells, cheap and abundant in the Gangneung area, also have relatively rigid structure, low density, and ability to neutralize acids generated during mineralization of toluene. Since towel scraps have water holding capacity as high as 301.2%, 10% of the total packing was supplemented with them to compensate for low water holding capacity of the crab shells. The biofilter fed with defined chemical medium under 0.8∼1.3 mg/L of inlet toluene concentration and 18 seconds of residence time showed satisfactory removal efficiency of over 97% and 72.8 g/h·m³ of removal capacity. For the purpose of deceasing operation costs, leaf mold solution was tried as an alternative nutrient instead of a defined chemical medium. The removal efficiency and removal capacity were 85% and 56.3 g/h·m³, respectively, using the same inlet toluene concentration and residence time. This research shows the possibility of recycling crab shell waste as packing material for biofilter. In addition, leaf mold was able to serve as an alternative nutrient, which remarkably decreased the operating cost of the biofilter.     

Comparative study of methods for the quantification of fungal spores at the leaf surfaces ofPopulus xeuramericana

Summary The removal of fungal spores, urediniospores ofMelampsora medusae and conidia ofPestalozzia sp., from the leaf surfaces ofPopulus xeuramericana (Dode) Guinier cv. I-488 was assessed using three cultural techniques conventionally employed in phylloplane studies. The method of removal and the original density of spore deposition, but not the interaction of these factors, were significant determinants of variability in spore removal. Irrespective of the original density of deposition, the leaf print method was the most, and the leaf washing technique the least, efficient means of spore removal from the leaf surface. Factors which could contribute to this difference in efficiency are discussed.     

Co-metabolic degradation of trichloroethylene by Pseudomonas putida in a fibrous bed bioreactor

Co-metabolic degradation of trichloroethylene (TCE) by Pseudomonas putida F1 was investigated in a novel bioreactor with a fibrous bed. A pseudo-first-order rate constant for TCE degradation was 1.4 h^–1 for 2.4 to 100 mg TCE l^–1. Competitive inhibition of toluene on TCE removal could be prevented in this bioreactor. 90% TCE was removed over 4 h when 95 mg toluene l^–1 was presented simultaneously.     

Contribution of leaf surface fungi to the air spora

High concentrations of airborne fungal spores frequently occur from spring through fall in temperate areas of the world. Although it is generally assumed that fungi on leaf surfaces are contributors to the air spora, little data are available comparing the types of fungi found on leaf surfaces with those in the atmosphere. Air sampling was carried out with a Burkard Spore Trap located on the roof of a building on the University of Tulsa campus using standard methods. Leaf samples were aseptically collected from Ulmus americana and Quercus palustris trees on campus, placed in sterile plastic bags, and brought to the lab. For each leaf, 4 cm² areas of both upper and lower leaf surfaces were swabbed and plated on malt extract agar with streptomycin. Cultures were incubated at room temperature for 5–7 days and then examined microscopically. Results were expressed as colony forming units (CFU)/cm². Twenty-one fungal taxa were identified from the air samples. The most abundant taxa were Cladosporium, ascospores, basidiospores, and Alternaria; together these four spore types comprised over 90% of the yearly total. Yeasts were the most abundant fungi isolated from both leaf types. Among the mycelial fungi were Phoma species, followed by Cladosporium and Alternaria. Overall twenty genera of filamentous fungi were identified. Yeasts and Phoma are normally splash dispersed and were not identified in the Burkard air samples. However, 10 taxa isolated from leaf surfaces were registered in air samples. Crude estimates of the leaf surface area of each tree suggest that the total fungal load was approximately 5.04×10⁸ CFU for Ulmus and 2.71×10⁸ CFU for Quercus. Of these levels, 19% were from fungi also detected in air samples. The data suggest that some leaf-surface fungi are major contributors to the air spora.     

Mycorrhizal promotion of host stomatal conductance in relation to irradiance and temperature

Colonization of roots and soil by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi sometimes promotes stomatal conductance (g _s) of the host plant, but scientists have had difficulty predicting or manipulating the response. Our objective was to test whether the magnitude of AM influence on g _s is related to environmental conditions: irradiance, air temperature or leaf temperature. Stomatal conductances of two groups of uncolonized sorghum plants were compared to g _s of plants colonized by Glomus intraradices (Gi) or Gigaspora margarita (Gm) in 31 morning and afternoon periods under naturally varying greenhouse conditions. Stomatal conductance of Gi and Gm plants was often markedly higher than g _s of similarly sized nonAM plants. AM promotion of g _s was minimal at the lowest irradiances and lowest air and leaf temperatures, but was substantial at intermediate irradiance and temperatures. AM promotion was again low or absent at the highest irradiances and temperatures. Magnitude of AM promotion of g _s was not a function of absolute g _s. Promotion of g _s by Gi and Gm was remarkably similar. Differing phosphorus fertilization did not affect g _s.     

Reversal of the Direction of Photosynthate Allocation in Urtica dioica L. Plants by Increasing Cytokinin Import into the Shoot

The natural cytokinin import from the root into the shoot of Urtica dioica plants was enhanced by supplying zeatin riboside (ZR) solutions of various concentrations to a portion less than 10 % of the root system after removal of their tips. After 6 h ZR pretreatment of the plants, ¹⁴CO₂ was supplied for 3 h to a mature (source) leaf or to an expanding leaf and the ¹⁴C-distribution in the whole plant was determined after a subsequent dark period of 14 h. ZR substantially increased ¹⁴C fixation by the expanding leaves and also enhanced export of carbon and transport to the shoot apex. The effect of the hormone treatment was, however, more pronounced when the ¹⁴CO₂ was supplied to a mature leaf. In the control plants these leaves exported carbon only to the roots: When the amount of the natural daily ZR input from the roots to the shoot was enhanced by 20%, the bulk of the ¹⁴C exported from a mature leaf moved to the shoot apex and only a minor portion of ¹⁴C was still detected in the root fraction. A several-fold increase of the natural daily ZR input into the shoot resulted in a flow of ¹⁴C only to the growing parts of the shoot. The results suggest control of the sink strength of the shoot apex by ZR in Urtica diocia.     

Effect of irradiance during growth of Glycine max on photosynthetic capacity and percent activation of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase

The initial (in vivo) and total (activity present after preincubation with CO₂ and Mg²⁺) activities of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase were both assayed in extracts of leaves of soybean (Glycine max) plants which had been grown under 4 different irradiance levels. The total carboxylase activity per unit leaf area decreased with decreased irradiance during growth but was not different on a dry weight basis. The initial activity as a percentage of the total activity was unchanged (approximately 95%) except in leaves of plants grown at the lowest irradiance (74%). When the plants grown at the lowest irradiance were exposed to high irradiance, the initial activity was increased to 93% of the total. Light saturated rates of photosynthesis per unit leaf area were lower and saturated at lower irradiance for plants grown at lower irradiances. Initial carboxylase activity was correlated closely (r²=0.84) with leaf photosynthesis rate on a dry weight basis.     

Mesophilic and thermophilic BTEX substrate interactions for a toluene-acclimatized biofilter

Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) substrate interactions for a mesophilic (25°C) and thermophilic (50°C) toluene-acclimatized composted pine bark biofilter were investigated. Toluene, benzene, ethylbenzene, o-xylene, m-xylene and p-xylene removal efficiencies, both individually and in paired mixtures with toluene (1:1 ratio), were determined at a total loading rate of 18.1 g m^–3 h^–1 and retention time ranges of 0.5–3.0 min and 0.6–3.8 min for mesophilic and thermophilic biofilters, respectively. Overall, toluene degradation rates under mesophilic conditions were superior to degradation rates of individual BEX compounds. With the exception of p-xylene, higher removal efficiencies were achieved for individual BEX compounds compared to toluene under thermophilic conditions. Overall BEX compound degradation under mesophilic conditions was ranked as ethylbenzene >benzene >o-xylene >m-xylene >p-xylene. Under thermophilic conditions overall BEX compound degradation was ranked as benzene >o-xylene >ethylbenzene >m-xylene >p-xylene. With the exception of o-xylene, the presence of toluene in paired mixtures with BEX compounds resulted in enhanced removal efficiencies of BEX compounds, under both mesophilic and thermophilic conditions. A substrate interaction index was calculated to compare removal efficiencies at a retention time of 0.8 min (50 s). A reduction in toluene removal efficiencies (negative interaction) in the presence of individual BEX compounds was observed under mesophilic conditions, while enhanced toluene removal efficiency was achieved in the presence of other BEX compounds, with the exception of p-xylene under thermophilic conditions.     

Biofiltration of toluene and acetone mixtures by a trickle-bed air biofilter

Toluene and acetone mixtures are commonly encountered from the manufacture of semi-conductor or opto-electronic apparatus. This study attempts to employ a trickle-bed air biofilter (TBAB) for treating toluene and acetone mixtures under different gas flow rates and influent concentrations. In the pseudo-steady-states, the elimination capacities of toluene and acetone increased but the removal efficiencies decreased with the increase of influent carbon loading. The removal efficiencies of toluene were higher than those of acetone, indicating that toluene is a preferred substrate in the mixtures. Greater than 90% removal efficiencies were achieved with influent carbon loadings of toluene and acetone below 125 and 15 g/m³ h, respectively. The TBAB appears efficient for controlling toluene and acetone mixture with medium toluene and low acetone loadings. Applicable operating conditions of TBAB for treating mixed toluene and acetone emission are suggested.     

Diversity and Activity of PAH-Degrading Bacteria in the Phyllosphere of Ornamental Plants

Phyllosphere bacteria on ornamental plants were characterized based on their diversity and activity towards the removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), the major air pollutants in urban area. The amounts of PAH-degrading bacteria were about 1–10% of the total heterotrophic phyllosphere populations and consisted of diverse bacterial species such as Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Pseudoxanthomonas, Mycobacterium, and uncultured bacteria. Bacterial community structures analyzed by polymerase chain reaction–denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis from each plant species showed distinct band patterns. The uniqueness of these phyllosphere bacterial communities was partly due to the variation in leaf morphology and chemical properties of ornamental plants. The PAH degradation activity of these bacteria was monitored in gas-tight systems containing sterilized or unsterilized leaves. The results indicated that phyllosphere bacteria on unsterilized leaves were able to enhance the activity of leaves for phenanthrene removal. When compared between plant species, phenanthrene removal efficiency corresponded to the size of phenanthrene-degrading bacteria. In addition, phyllosphere bacteria on Wrightia religiosa were able to reduce other PAHs such as acenaphthylene, acenaphthene, and fluorine in 60-ml glass vials and in a 14-l glass chamber. Thus, phyllosphere bacteria on ornamental plants may play an important role in natural attenuation of airborne PAHs in urban areas.     

Influence of Hairiness ofGerbera jamesoniiLeaves on the Searching Efficiency of the ParasitoidEncarsia formosa

To characterize the relationship between the leaf surface ofGerbera jamesoniiHooker cultivars and the searching behavior of the parasitoidEncarsia formosaGahan on a leaf, the trichome density and shape were described, and the walking behavior was quantified. Leaf hair density varied from 80 to more than 1000 trichomes/cm²and the hair shape varied from single erect trichomes to tapestries of entangled trichomes above the leaf surface. The walking activity, speed, and pattern of the parasitoid were tested on leaves with different hair density and shape. In spite of the large differences in leaf surface structure, the walking activity was similar and around 75% on most cultivars. The walking speed was between 0.2 and 0.3 mm/s on all cultivars and was not significantly different from the speed on tomato. On hairless sweet pepper leaves the walking speed is much higher (0.73 mm/s), so the hairs onGerberaleaves do hamper parasitoid females and result in a strong reduction of the walking speed, but the variation in hair density and shape onGerberadoes not lead to differences in walking activity, pattern, and speed. It appears that the hairs ofGerberaare less of an obstacle forE. formosathan the stiff, large hairs occurring in a high density on cucumber, where the walking speed of the parasitoid is less than 0.2 mm/s. A rise of temperature of 5°C gave a significantly higher walking speed (0.39 mm/s) ofE. formosafemales on all cultivars tested. The relative straightness of the walking track was high and the same on all cultivars. Consequences of the results of the searching behavior ofE. formosaonG. jamesoniicultivars are discussed with respect to other host plants. As parasitoid walking speeds are the same onGerberaand tomato, and whitefly reproduction is also similar on these two host plants, we conclude that biological control of whiteflies onGerberais a realistic option. This conclusion is confirmed by the strong increase of commercial biological control onGerberawhich occurred during the past 5 years.     

The importance of palpation in food selection by a polyphagous grasshopper (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

The behavioral responses of final-instar nymphs of Schistocerca americanato a variety of acceptable and unacceptable plants were recorded. Palpation occurred on all plants and the palps are involved in both acceptance and rejection. On most unacceptable plants, rejection was at first dependent on biting the leaf, but subsequently on Lantana, Machaeranthera, Moms,and Physalis,rejection often occurred after palpation of the surface alone. This is consistent with the suggestion that associative learning occurs. This response did not wane even when the insects had been without food for over 2 h. There was also some evidence of an innate response to the surface characteristics of Physalis.The features of the surfaces that produced these responses were not determined.     

杉木叶片、细根功能性状对毛竹扩张及伐除的响应

功能性状能够反映植物对不同环境的适应策略。毛竹扩张与外来植物入侵相似,常引起原有植物生存环境的改变,而原有植物功能性状对毛竹扩张及伐除的响应机制尚不清楚。选取毛竹-杉木混交林和去竹杉木林为研究对象,以杉木纯林为对照,比较分析杉木比叶面积、叶干物质含量、叶组织密度等叶功能性状以及比根长、细根生物量、细根根长密度等细根功能性状的变化以及其间的相关关系。结果表明：(1)与杉木纯林相比,混交林中杉木的叶相对含水量以及叶干物质含量分别减少了5.07%、0.032 g/g,叶组织密度以及比叶面积分别增加了0.005 g/cm³、10.33 cm²/g;而去竹杉木林中,杉木比叶面积、叶相对含水量减少,叶干物质含量和叶组织密度则呈上升趋势。(2)与杉木纯林相比,混交林中杉木细根生物量、细根体积密度以及细根根长密度都不断下降,而杉木细根比根长在0—20 cm土深处显著增加(P<0.05);而去竹杉木林中杉木细根比根长、细根根长密度和细根生物量则显著降低(P<0.05),细根体积密度在20—30 cm土深处有所增加。(3)杉木纯林中杉木细根功能性状间...     

Formaldehyde removal in the air by six plant systems with or without rhizosphere microorganisms

Abstract

Uptake and in-plant transport of formaldehyde by six plants with or without soil microorganisms were investigated. The capabilities of fresh and boiled leaf extracts to dissipate added formaldehyde were also measured to evaluate formaldehyde metabolism in plant tissues. Results show that when the initial formaldehyde level in air was 0.56?±?0.04?mg·m^?3, the removal rate in the plant-only systems varied from 1.91 to 31.8?μg·h^?1·g^?1 FW (fresh weight). The removal rate of plants in the plant-only systems were ordered as Helianthus annuus Linn > Lycopersicon esculentum Miller > Oryza sativa > Sansevieria trifasciata Prain > Bryophyllum pinnatum > Mesembryanthemum cordifolium L. f. Most reduction of formaldehyde in the air was due to degradation by active components in the plant tissues, of which 4–64% of these were through to be enzymatic reactions. In the microbe-plant systems, formaldehyde removal rates increased by 0.24–9.53 fold compared to the plant-only systems, with approximately 19.6–90.5% of the formaldehyde reduction resulting from microbial degradation. Microorganisms added to the rhizosphere solution enhanced phytoremediation by increasing the downward transport of formaldehyde and its release by roots. Results suggest a new means to screen for efficient plant species that can be used for phytoremediation of indoor air.     

Transformation and inheritance of Bt genes inGossypium hirsutum

Transgenic plants offer many unique opportunities for managing pest populations. However, the inheritance, integration, and expression of multiple transgenes are prerequisite for maintaining sustainable resistance against insects in crops. We took a gene-pyramiding approach to produce Bt cotton expressing two Bt genes,cry1Ac andcry2A. Using sonication-assistedAgrobacterium-mediated transformation (SAAT), we achieved an efficiency of 6.26%. Putative transgenic plants were confirmed via PCR, Southern hybridization, and western-blotting. Those showing mortality of 75 to 100% for the second instar ofHeliothis armigera (compared with 0% for the control) were considered Bt-positive. Transgenes were segregated according to a 3:1 Mendelian inheritance pattern in the T1 generation forHeliothis resistance. In our insect bioassay, the control plants showed >95% leaf damage, and insects reached the 4^th instar stage of larval growth. In contrast, leaf damage on transgenic plants was limited to only a few bites, and insect mortality was 75 to 100%. ELISA confirmed transgene expression, and Bt protein was detected in leaf tissue. This performance was consistent with that of the parent transgenics. PCR and Southern blots verified integration of thecry1Ac andcry2A genes into the progeny. Therefore, this strategy provides a pathway toward cotton improvement and the development of durable resistance against insect damage.     

Factors influencing the acaricidal activity of flucycloxuron

Contact activities of flucycloxuron on immature stages of the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae (Koch)) and the European red mite (Panonychus ulmi (Koch)) gradually decrease in the successive developmental stages. The levels of contact activity of flucycloxuron on larvae and protonymphs ofT. urticae andP. ulmi are of the same order. Deutonymphs ofT. urticae are less susceptible to contact activity than the similar stage ofP. ulmi. In adultT. urticae, the transovarial ovicidal activity was used as an indicator for cuticular penetration. More than 90% of the maximal penetration into adult mites occurs within 8 h. Reversibility of the transovarial activity was not observed after 24 h, but did occur after a subsequent 48 h stay on untreated leaves. The ovo-larvicidal activity of flucycloxuron onP. ulmi after treatment of apple leaves is strongly negatively influenced by leaf age, partly by lower retention of the spray liquid on the leaves. Leaf penetration was measured by application of flucycloxuron on leaf uppersides and assessment of the transovarial activity in mites (P. ulmi orT. urticae) infested on the undersides, one day after treatment. In this test system, leaf penetration was found to be strongly species dependent. Penetration was high in cucumber, moderate in French beans, cotton, roses and strawberry, but low in apple and pepper. Leaf penetration in French bean plants is drastically reduced at increasing leaf age. The overall positive effect of increase in relative air humidity on leaf penetration, is statistically highly significant (P=0.001) for French beans and almost significant (P=0.08) for cucumbers. WithT. urticae on French bean it was found that in this test flucycloxuron needs more than one day for maximal leaf penetration. Although in apple leaves penetration from uppersides was low, penetration from undersides was much higher. The surfactants Arkopal N 130, Silwet L-77 and X2-5309 enhance penetration from leaf under-sides.     

Cometabolic transformation ofo-xylene in a biofilm system under nitrate reducing conditions

The purpose of this work was to investigate the anaerobic transformation ofo-xylene in a laboratory biofilm system with nitrate as an electron acceptor.o-Xylene was degraded cometabolically with toluene as primary carbon source. A mass balance showed thato-xylene was not mineralized but transformed.o-Methyl-benzalcohol ando-methyl-benzaldehyde were identified as intermediates ofo-xylene transformation which resulted in the formation ofo-methyl-benzoic acid as an end product. A cross inhibition phenomenon was observed between toluene ando-xylene. The presence of toluene was necessary for stimulation ofo-xylene transformation, but above a toluene concentration of 1–3 mg/L theo-xylene removal rate dramatically decreased. In returno-xylene inhibited the toluene degradation at concentrations above 2–3 mg/L.     

Evaluation of the faster initial decomposition of tropical floating leaves ofNymphaea elegans Hook

Contributions of abiotic and biotic processes to the decomposition of floating leaves ofNymphaea elegans were separately evaluated by comparing the rate obtained from anin situ experiment of submerging dry leaf material in a lake, and that from a laboratory experiment of submerging dry leaf material in lake water with a bio-fixing reagent. It took 8 days to decompose 79.4% of the initial dry weight of the floating leaf ofN. elegans in a tropical lake. Of the dry weight loss, 32.9% and 67.1% were atributed to abiotic and biotic decomposition, respectively. The relationship between decomposition rate and the mesh size of the leaf litter bags was examined by the application of a mathematical model. A reasonable value of decomposition loss at an early stage could be obtained using a bag with a mesh opening of 9.9 mm². The decomposition rate of floating leaves is faster than that of other aquatic plants. Rapid decomposition ofN. elegans leaves may be attributed to the fact that the plant has a low carbon to nitrogen ratio.     

Removal efficiency and mechanisms of formaldehyde by five species of plants in air-plant-water system

The foliar uptake and transport rates of formaldehyde as well as the abilities of leaf extracts to breakdown formaldehyde were investigated to discuss the formaldehyde removal efficiency and mechanism by five species of plants from air. Results showed that formaldehyde could be transported from air via leaves and roots to rhizosphere water. When exposed to 0.56 mg·m^?3 formaldehyde, the formaldehyde removal rate ranged from 18.64 to 38.47 μg·h^?1g^?1 FW (fresh weight). According to the mass balance in the air–plant–water system, the main mechanism of the formaldehyde loss was its breakdown in plant tissues caused by both enzymatic reaction and redox reaction. Higher oxidation potentials of the leaf-extracts of Wedelia chinensis and Desmodium motorium corresponded well to higher abilities to breakdown added formaldehyde than other plants. Based on the different abilities of fresh and boiled leaf-extracts to dissipate formaldehyde, the enzymatic reaction in Chenopodium album L. was the dominant mechanism while the redox reaction in Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad. and Silene conoidea L. was the main formaldehyde breakdown mechanism when exposed to low-level formaldehyde in air. The redox mechanism suggested that the formaldehyde removal may be increased by an increasing level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by the environmental stress.     

Effect of partial defoliation during the vegetative phase on subsequent growth and grain yield of maize

Maize was grown in two densities, 2–47 or 4–94 plants m^-2, and the following treatments imposed: untreated, plants partly defoliated 51 days after sowing, and alternate plants in a row partly defoliated 44 days after sowing. Plants flowered about 82 days after sowing. Leaf area was decreased by 60–64% by defoliation on day 51. Defoliation resulted in decreases in grain yield and grain number of 6–17%, though when alternate plants were defoliated in the higher density there was a substantial decrease in yield and number of grains in defoliated plants, which was largely offset by an increase in adjacent intact plants. When plants were defoliated on day 51 subsequent growth in leaf area was similar to, and that in leaf weight nearly as large as that in untreated plants, while increase in stem weight was substantially less than in untreated plants. By the time of flowering untreated and defoliated plots differed by c. 30% in leaf area. Increments of dry matter after flowering differed by c. 15% between untreated and defoliated plots. The fraction of these increments which entered the grain was c. 90% in both untreated and defoliated plots. When alternate plants in the row were partly defoliated on day 44 their subsequent increase in leaf area was probably 5–16% less than that of the adjacent intact plants. Increments of dry matter after flowering of plots with alternate plants defoliated were 93–95 % of those of untreated plots; leaf efficiency after flowering was slightly greater than in untreated plots. The fraction of the dry matter increment after flowering which entered the grain was c. 88 % in both intact and defoliated plants of the small density, but was 94% in intact plants and 86% in defoliated plants of the large density.