Development of toxicity tolerant water hyacinth (Eichhornea crassipes) for effective treatment of raw sewage

Pioneering research efforts in the handling of municipal sewage in developing countries have involved the use of water hyacinth (Eichhornea crassipes) to purify sewage for possible re-use of the effluent water for domestic purposes. The ability of water hyacinth to remove pollution from raw sewage has been found to be impaired by sewage toxicity. Trials were therefore carried out to adapt water hyacinth to toxicity and thereby increase its ability to remove pollutants from raw sewage. The plants were adapted using an active bio-degrader consisting of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella ozaenae, Klebsiella edwardsiella and Baccillus subtilis. The adaptation progressed through 20, 40, 60 and 80% sewage dilution until plants capable of growth in 100% raw sewage were obtained. Plants were observed for morphological growth and at four weeks, samples were collected for tissue analysis. The plants progressively absorbed nutrients from sewage up to the fourth week, when signs of toxicity were obsereved through wilting, loss of turgidity and reduction in leaf number. However, plants that survived through a series of adaptations under various sewage dilutions exhibited luxuriant growth on raw sewage. In synergy with the active bio-degrader, the efficiency of the adapted water hyacinth to remove pollutants (nutrients) from raw sewage was enhanced by 93%.     

城市生活污水浇灌对金盏菊生长的影响

用三种稀释倍数的城市生活污水[污水:清水(v/v)为1:0、1:0.5、1:1]处理金盏菊种子及盆花,结果表明,污灌处理不仅显著地降低种子的萌发率,还增加萌发后幼苗病害的发生率;未经稀释的原生污水显著抑制金盏菊幼苗的生长,而稀释后抑制作用降低,当稀释至适当浓度时,则对幼苗生长起促进作用;对于金盏菊成年植株,污灌处理(不论稀释与否)显著地增加其茎、叶和根的鲜重,分别较对照增加161.63%~215.12%、86.77%~109.23%和23.89%~34.13%。综合分析表明,原生污水经过适当稀释后用于草花污灌,可以使污水中的营养盐得到回用,提高草花的观赏性。     

复合叶面肥对油桃和葡萄生长生理及果树品质的影响

我国北方一些地区因土壤pH高,导致其中有效性微量元素含量很低而不能满足果树植物的正常生长发育,进而导致严重的缺素症。通过土壤直接施肥或通过灌溉水将化肥施入土壤,肥料中的微量元素很快会被土壤固定,因而这些方法不能有效地解决缺素症问题。作者用5年时间研制成功了应用果树植物的系列复合叶面肥,这些叶面肥不仅含有植物所需的大量元素,而且含有微量元素、有机营养及植物生长调节剂;叶面肥的配方也因果树植物种类生长习性的不同而异。以油桃和葡萄为试材,喷施复合叶面肥72h后,叶片中叶绿体含量、硝酸还原酶活性、铁和锌含量显著提高;叶面肥还能增进油桃和葡萄果实品质,促进葡萄枝芽增重,但不会引起葡萄树体徙长。整个生长季节喷施复合叶面肥对树体均有益,但喷施间隔时间不应少7-10d。     

Plant nutrition in the 20th and perspectives for the 21st century

This paper briefly presents the knowledge of plant nutrition in 1900 and its expansion since then in two areas - the discovery of the micronutrients and the absorption of nutrients from soils.Application of macro- and micronutrient fertilizers has contributed substantially to the huge increase in world food production experienced this century. In developed countries, excessive fertilizer use has led to serious problems of nutrient pollution; here, plant nutritionists will be concerned with monitoring nutrient status of crops and soils to maintain crop production with minimum loss of nutrients to the environment, and development of cultivars with high nutrient efficiency in soils with luxury supplies of nutrients.In many developing countries, soil infertility limits productivity; here, plant nutritional research can raise productivity by diagnosis of nutrient deficiencies and toxicities of crops on previously unfertilized soils, their correction with minimal fertilizer and treatment costs, and development of cultivars with high nutrient efficiency in deficient soils and high tolerance of natural toxicities.The pre-occupation of developed countries with pollution is blinding them to the urgent needs of developing countries for fertilizers and fertilizer research to increase crop production ha-1 as an alternative to clearing more land.     

Biofertilizers and/or some micronutrients role on wheat plants grown on newly reclaimed soil

Pot experiment was conducted to study the effect of biofertilizers (inoculation with different bacterial isolates), foliar spraying with some micronutrients (Mn, Zn, Fe and Mn+Zn+Fe) and their interaction on growth, physiological parameters and nutrients content of wheat plants grown on reclaimed soil. Pot experiment was conducted in the greenhouse of National Research center, The experimental design was split plot with four replicates. Four biofertilizer treatments (un‐inoculated, Bacillus polymyxa, Azotobacter chroococcum or Azosprillium barasilense) were used and randomly distributed in the main pots. The foliar treatments with micronutrients were randomly distributed in the sub plots. The growth parameters (plant height, leaf area, roots, shoots and whole plant dry weights and number of tillers & leaves per plant); some physiological parameters (soluble sugar %, protein %, polysaccharide %, chl. A+b μg cm^?1 leaf per plant, carotenoids μg g^?1, IAA mg kg^?1 and psll mol DCPIP reduced per mg chl. per h) and nutrient contents (N, P, K, Mg, Mn, Zn and Cu) of wheat plants were significantly increased by inoculating wheat grains with different bacteria as compared with un‐inoculated plants (control). The highest values of all the mentioned parameters were obtained by using Azospirillum brasilense followed by Azotobacter chroococcum and Bacillus polymyxa in decreasing order. Foliar spraying treatments significantly increased the growth parameters, physiological parameters as well as nutrients content of wheat plants as compared with control. Highest values were obtained by using (Mn+Fe+Zn) treatment followed by Zn, Fe and Mn in decreasing order. Micronutrients in wheat plants differed as the foliar treatments were differed, so application of any micronutrient individually significantly increased its content and enhanced the content of other micronutrients in wheat. Interaction between the used biofertilizers and foliar spraying with micronutrients significantly affected all the studied parameters of wheat plants, the highest were obtained by inoculating wheat grains with Azospirillum brasilense and spraying the plants with (Mn+Fe+Zn) treatment, while the lowest values were attained by un‐inoculated grains (control) and spraying the wheat plants with tap water (control). Effective microorganisms in combination with micronutrients could be recommended to farmers to lead higher wheat yield.     

Micronutrient status and fertilizer use scenario in India

India was dependent on external food supplies in the early 1960s. To meet the growing demand for food, fiber and fuel, high yielding cultivars were introduced. These high yielding crop cultivars were highly responsive to fertilizers. Thus, slowly the soils were exhausted of their nutrients. Application of major nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) became common, therefore the crops started responding to micronutrient fertilizers. Concerted efforts have been made through the All India Coordinated Research Project on Micronutrients to delineate the soils of India regarding the deficiency of micronutrients. At present about 48.1% of Indian soils are deficient in diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (DTPA) extractable zinc, 11.2% in iron, 7% in copper and 5.1% in manganese. Apart from the deficiency of these micronutrients, deficiencies of boron and molybdenum have also been reported in some areas. Areas with multi-micronutrient deficiencies are limited, thus simple fertilizers are sufficient to exploit the potential of crops and cropping systems. Based on the extent of deficiency, cultivated area, and crop removal, the micronutrient fertilizer demand in 2025 is projected using sufficiency and maintenance approaches.     

Micronutrient status and fertilizer use scenario in India

India was dependent on external food supplies in the early 1960s. To meet the growing demand for food, fiber and fuel, high yielding cultivars were introduced. These high yielding crop cultivars were highly responsive to fertilizers. Thus, slowly the soils were exhausted of their nutrients. Application of major nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) became common, therefore the crops started responding to micronutrient fertilizers. Concerted efforts have been made through the All India Coordinated Research Project on Micronutrients to delineate the soils of India regarding the deficiency of micronutrients. At present about 48.1% of Indian soils are deficient in diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (DTPA) extractable zinc, 11.2% in iron, 7% in copper and 5.1% in manganese. Apart from the deficiency of these micronutrients, deficiencies of boron and molybdenum have also been reported in some areas. Areas with multi-micronutrient deficiencies are limited, thus simple fertilizers are sufficient to exploit the potential of crops and cropping systems. Based on the extent of deficiency, cultivated area, and crop removal, the micronutrient fertilizer demand in 2025 is projected using sufficiency and maintenance approaches.     

Improving growth and productivity of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) using chitosan,tryptophan, and potassium silicate anti-transpirants under different irrigation regimes

This work aims to study the effect of foliar spraying of three anti-transpirants i.e., A­₁: tryptophan (Tri), A₂: potassium silicate (KS), A₃: chitosan (Chi) as well as A₀: control (Tap water) under three irrigation regimes, I₁: 2400, I₂: 3600, and I₃: 4800 m³ha^?1 on the quality and production of faba bean crop and its nutrient contents. The study was carried out during two successive winter seasons of 2018/2019 and 2019/2020. Drought stress affected the average performance of all studied traits as it reduced seed yield and traits, as a result of the decrease in chlorophyll related to photosynthesis, protein, carbohydrates, total phenols, amino acids, macronutrients (N, P, and K), micronutrient contents (Fe, Mn, and Zn) and their absorption. The single foliar spraying of faba bean with tryptophan 75 ppm, potassium silicate at 100 ppm, or chitosan at 750 ppm significantly increased all studied traits and reduced the drought stress compared to control under different irrigation systems. We recommended using a foliar spray of chitosan (750 ppm) on faba bean plants under an irrigation level of 4800 m³ led to an improvement in the physiological properties of the plant, i.e., plant height, the number of branches/plants, and the number of plants, pods plant^?1, the number of seed pods^?1, the weight of 100 seeds and seed yield ha^?1 increased with relative increase about 42.29, 89.47, 28.85, 75.91, 24.43, and 306.48% compared to control. The quality properties also improved, as the total chlorophyll, protein, carbohydrates, total phenols, and amino acids were higher than the control with a relative increase of 63.83, 29.58, 27.72, 37.54, and 64.19%. Additionally, an increase in the contents and uptake of macronutrients (N, P, and K), and micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn) and their absorption. The increase was estimated with 29.41, 75.00, 16.56, 431.17, 630.48, 72.68%, 22.37, 35.69, 42.33, 397.63, 452.58, and 485.94% about the control. This was followed by potassium silicate (100 ppm), then tryptophan (75 ppm) compared to the control, which recorded the minimum values ??in plant traits.     

Nitrogen-fixing heterotrophic bacteria and presumptive coliforms in sewage treatment plants and irrigation reservoirs in Libya

Monitoring of heterotrophic nitrogen-fixing bacteria and presumptive coliforms in two Libyan sewage treatment plants showed that tertiary treatment of effluents by chlorination killed these bacteria. However, the irrigation reservoirs which received the treated effluent contained large numbers of both types of bacteria. As the proportion of nitrogen-fixers to presumptive coliforms was much less in the sewage than in the irrigation reservoirs it is probable that the irrigation water became contaminated by a source other than sewage.     

抗拿捕净晋谷21突变体的筛选和分子鉴定

谷子(Setaria italica(L.)P.Beauv.)是我国重要的杂粮作物,具有抗旱耐贫瘠、水分利用率高、适应性广、营养丰富等特点,但谷子田间除草一直制约着谷子的集约化栽培和有机旱作产业规模化的推广与发展.为快速选育抗除草剂谷子品种,本试验以晋谷21突变体M2群体为试验材料,通过喷施0.33％拿捕净除草剂对晋谷...     

Phytolith analysis for differentiating between foxtail millet (Setaria italica) and green foxtail (Setaria viridis)

Foxtail millet (Setaria italica) is one of the oldest domesticated cereal crops in Eurasia, but identifying foxtail millets, especially in charred grains, and differentiating it from its wild ancestor, green foxtail (Setaria viridis), in the archaeobotanical remains, is still problematic. Phytolithic analysis provides a meaningful method for identifying this important crop. In this paper, the silicon structure patterns in the glumes, lemmas, and paleas from inflorescence bracts in 16 modern plants of foxtail millet and green foxtail from China and Europe are examined using light microscopy with phase-contrast and a microscopic interferometer. Our research shows that the silicon structure of ΩIII from upper lemmas and paleas in foxtail millet and green foxtail can be correspondingly divided into two groups. The size of ΩIII type phytolith of foxtail millet is bigger than that from green foxtail. Discriminant function analysis reveals that 78.4% of data on foxtail millet and 76.9% of data on green foxtail are correctly classified. This means certain morphotypes of phytoliths are relatively reliable tools for distinguishing foxtail millet from green foxtail. Our results also revealed that the husk phytolith morphologies of foxtail millets from China and Eastern Europe are markedly different from those from Western Europe. Our research gives a meaningful method of separating foxtail millet and green foxtail. The implications of these findings for understanding the history of foxtail millet domestication and cultivation in ancient civilizations are significant.     

Enumeration of Aeromonas hydrophila from domestic wastewater treatment plants and surface waters

Influents, effluents and sludges from sewage purification plants and surface water samples were examined quantitatively for Aeromonas hydrophila on the mA medium of Rippey and Cabelli. Between 10(4) and 10(6)/ml A. hydrophila were found in domestic wastewaters. On the average 99.975% were removed by activated sludge and 98.25% by trickling filters. Only 20.9% of A. hydrophila end up in the primary sludge, which contained up to 10(7)/g dry sludge. After 3 months, anaerobically (methane) fermented and partially dried sludge from trickling filters contained more than 10(6) A. hydrophila/g dry sludge. Surface water receiving raw sewage contained several hundreds of A. hydrophila/ml, comparable with the numbers found in effluent waters, while surface receiving no municipal wastewater and destined for the preparation of drinking water contained only small and negligible numbers. It was concluded that A. hydrophila was omnipresent in surface water.     

Cyanophage and algal virus

<正>Cyanobacteria and eukaryotic algae are abundant in freshwater and marine environments,and are fundamentally important in global biogeochemical cycles and for primary productivity.Under certain conditions,such as an excess of nutrients due to human activities through fertilizers or sewage,     

利用野生青狗尾草的细胞质培育谷子质核互作雄性不育材料

利用野生青狗尾草N10为母本,谷子农家品种大青秸为父本,进行种间杂交,获得了3株杂种。杂种在农艺性状上表现为谷子和青狗尾草的种间类型,花器表现了雄性败育,但雌蕊发育正常,能接受外来花粉结实。细胞形态学观察表明,其雄性败育表现为单核小孢子典败。该谷子雄性不育材料的获得,为利用野生青狗尾草的细胞质培育谷子质核互作雄性不育系,进而为实现谷子三系配套杂种优势利用奠定了基础。     

Evaluation of water productivity and fish yield in sewage-fed vis-à-vis fertilized based carp culture

Reuse of wastewater in aquaculture provides a scope to enhance water productivity of the system. Quantification of nutrient inputs incorporated through treated domestic sewage with varying dosages viz. 79.3 x 10(5)lha(-1) and 67.7 x 10(5)lha(-1) and water productivity in a controlled carp culture system were assessed in comparison to those involved in a fertilized based one, with a view to correlate among physical, chemical and biological processes involved in fish yield under the systems. The net water productivities were measured on the basis of net return values (in Indian rupees; INR) from the carp production systems at a stocking density @ 5000 per ha with four species combination. Selected relevant water parameters such as dissolved oxygen, total alkalinity, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) in sewage effluent and fertilizer based systems were monitored along with certain biological parameters viz. gross primary productivity, fish production and water productivity. The nutrient inputs in terms of total ammonia-nitrogen (TAN) in effluents, total nitrogen (TN) in fertilizers and phosphorus (P2O5) in both effluents and fertilizers were found significantly correlated with biological production. The results of the experiment revealed that the sewage incorporation at 79.3 x 10(5)lha(-1) yielded similar gross fish production as recorded from fertilizer based system, whereas net water productivity using sewage as nutrient source was found 64% higher than that of a fertilizer based system.     

The impact of textile wastewater irrigation on the growth and development of apple plant

In this work, the effect of irrigation with textile wastewaters on the growth and development of “Golden Delicious” apple sapling was examined over a one-year period. Municipal water prepared as a control sample (T₀), 1/3 diluted (T₁), and undiluted (T₂) raw textile wastewater was used as the three different irrigation water samples. Two replications of each test were performed on three random samples each time. When examining the effects of T₀, T₁, and T₂ irrigation water on plant growth, it was found that T₁ irrigation water significantly increased the weight, the shoot length, and the diameter of the sapling. Despite increasing Ni and Cr metals in the apple saplings’ leaves when irrigated with T₂ water, plant growth was restricted due to the lack of basic nutrients. When taking certain aspects into account, such as the proper treatment of wastewater, then 1/3 diluted textile wastewater can be used as agricultural irrigation water for the apple plants.     

Viral pollution of surface waters due to chlorinated primary effluents.

The role of chlorinated primary effluents in viral pollution of the Ottawa River (Ontario) was assessed by examining 282 field samples of wastewaters from two different sewage treatment plants over a 2-year period. The talc-Celite technique was used for sample concentration, and BS-C-1 cells were employed for virus detection. Viruses were detected in 80% (75/94) of raw sewage, 72% (68/94) of primary effluent, and 56% (53/94) of chlorinated effluent samples. Both raw sewage and primary effluent samples contained about 100 viral infective units (VIU) per 100 ml. Chlorination produced a 10- to 50-fold reduction in VIU and gave nearly 2.7 VIU/100 ml of chlorinated primary effluent. With a combined daily chlorinated primary effluent output of approximately 3.7 x 10(8) liters, these two plants were discharging 1.0 x 10(10) VIU per day. Because the river has a mean annual flow of 8.0 x 10(10) liters per day, these two sources alone produced a virus loading of 1.0 VIU/8 liters of the river water. This river also receives at least 9.0 x 10(7) liters of raw sewage per day and undetermined but substantial amounts of storm waters and agricultural wastes. It is used for recreation and acts as a source of potable water for some 6.0 x 10(5) people. In view of the potential of water for disease transmission, discharge of such wastes into the water environment needs to be minimized.     

白骨壤模拟湿地系统中氮的分配、循环及其净化效应

在温室中建立红树林植物白骨壤模拟湿地系统 ,分别用正常、5倍和 10倍浓度的人工配置的城市污水每周定时定量对模拟系统污灌 2次 ,用海水作对照 ,持续 1年。研究营养污染物氮在系统中的分配、循环及被净化的效果。结果表明 ,随污水处理浓度的升高 ,被更换的潮汐水中的含氮量和土壤含氮量都有较大提高 ;植物体各部分含氮量的高低顺序排列为叶 >茎>根 ;各处理组植物中氮元素的周转期依次为 4 81年、5 81年、4 5 8年和 5 86年 ;模拟系统对污水中氮的净化效果显著。     

Construction and application of EST library from Setaria italica in response to dehydration stress

Foxtail millet is a gramineous crop with low water requirement. Despite its high water use efficiency, less attention has been paid to the molecular genetics of foxtail millet. This article reports the construction of subtracted cDNA libraries from foxtail millet seedlings under dehydration stress and the expression profile analysis of 1947 UniESTs from the subtracted cDNA libraries by a cDNA microarray. The results showed that 95 and 57 ESTs were upregulated by dehydration stress, respectively, in roots and shoots of seedlings and that 10 and 27 ESTs were downregulated, respectively, in roots and shoots. The expression profile analysis showed that genes induced in foxtail millet roots were different from those in shoots during dehydration stress and that the early response to dehydration stress in foxtail millet roots was the activation of the glycolysis metabolism. Moreover, protein degradation pathway may also play a pivotal role in drought-tolerant responses of foxtail millet. Finally, Northern blot analysis validated well the cDNA microarray data.