Effect of aflatoxin G1 on germination, growth and metabolic activities of some crop plants.

The effect of different concentrations of aflatoxin G1 on growth and germination of Zea mays and Vicia faba seeds, as well as on some biochemical parameters viz chlorophyll, carotenoid, protein and lipid content of seedlings, were studied. Inhibition of seed germination and seedling growth of maize and broad bean increased with increases in toxin concentration. A reduction in carbohydrates in the shoot systems of maize and broad bean was accompanied by a corresponding reduction in chlorophyll content. The total proteins and total lipids of V. faba were significantly greater at a 10 micrograms/ml concentration of aflatoxin G1, whereas in Z. mays significant inhibition (p < 0.05) was observed. At 5.0 micrograms/ml aflatoxin G1 lipids and proteins were reduced in both plants but the effect was less obvious at lower concentrations.     

多裂骆驼蓬中生物碱类物质对小麦种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响

室内培养和盆栽试验结果表明,多裂骆驼蓬生物碱提取液浸种的小麦萌发种子呼吸速率、淀粉酶和蛋白酶活性受抑,种子萌发率下降并随处理浓度提高而降低。幼苗根系活性和叶绿素含量提高,叶片硝酸还原酶（NR）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）和过氧化物酶（POD）活性增强,过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性下降;幼苗根体积,株高、根系和地上部干重增加。多裂骆驼蓬生物碱提取液浸种对小麦种子萌发和幼苗生长作用的大小顺序为：总生物碱〉水溶性生物碱〉脂溶性生物碱。     

Evaluation of in vitro shoots of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Artemisia judaica</Emphasis> for allelopathic potential

Allelopathic performance of in vitro fresh green shoot, green, and brown shoot extracts including dry shoot powders of Artemisia judaica was evaluated through bioassay-guided studies using lettuce under laboratory conditions. The dry powders caused strong germination and growth inhibition of the lettuce seed tested. The green and brown shoot crude extracts of A. judaica also produced a strong germination and growth inhibition. The magnitude of inhibition in experiments with the brown shoot extracts was higher than that with the green shoot extracts. The lettuce seed incubated together with the fresh green shoots showed that the growth of lettuce was stimulated, while the germination of seed was delayed. The results show that there are different allelochemicals present in the exudates and volatiles of A. judaica. The shoot extracts under assay conditions showed a dose-dependent free radical scavenging effect of DPHH and a dose-dependent reduction of chlorophyll content from lettuce leaves. The antioxidant potential and total chlorophyll content of the lettuce leaf declined in all the shoot extract treatments. These results clearly indicate that the in vitro shoot of A. judaica contains some strong biologically active allelochemicals that are involved in plant growth regulation.     

滤光膜对黄檗幼苗生物量及初级氮同化酶活性的影响

以日光为对照,采用红色、黄色、蓝色和绿色4种滤光膜遮光处理温室栽培的黄檗幼苗100 d,测定了不同光环境下幼苗生物量、叶片叶绿素含量、可溶性蛋白含量、硝酸还原酶（NR）活性及谷氨酰胺合成酶（GS）活性的变化.结果表明,4种滤光膜处理均抑制黄檗幼苗的生长,黄檗幼苗的全株生物量与日光下的差异均达到显著水平(P＜0.05).4种滤光膜对黄檗幼苗株高、茎径的影响与对全株生物量的影响相似;红膜和黄膜处理对黄檗幼苗根冠比影响不明显,蓝膜和绿膜处理明显抑制地下部分的生长（P＜0.05）;蓝膜、绿膜和红膜遮光的黄檗幼苗叶片叶绿素含量显著高于日光下的黄檗幼苗（P＜0.05）,以蓝膜处理最为突出;红膜处理增加了叶绿素a的比例,而蓝膜处理则使叶绿素a比例减少.经滤光膜遮光处理的黄檗幼苗可溶性蛋白含量均显著高于对照,且叶片NR和GS活性也显著高于日光下对照.     

Involvement of phytochrome A in suppression of photomorphogenesis in rice seedling grown in red light

Plants have evolved a remarkable capacity to track and respond to fluctuations of light quality and intensity that influence photomorphogenesis facilitated through several photoreceptors, which include a small family of phytochromes. Rice seedlings grown on germination paper in red light for 48 h having their shoot bottom exposed had suppressed photomorphogenesis and were deficient in chlorophyll. Seedlings grown under identical light regime having their shoot bottom covered were green and accumulated chlorophyll. Further, etiolated seedlings with their shoot bottom exposed, when grown in 4 min red/far‐red cycles for 48 h, accumulated chlorophyll demonstrating the reversal of suppression of photomorphogenesis by far‐red light. It implicates the involvement of phytochrome. Immunoblot analysis showed the persistence of photolabile phytochrome A protein for 48 h in seedlings grown in red light with their shoot bottom exposed, suggesting its involvement in suppression of photomorphogenesis. This was further corroborated in phyA seedlings that turned green when grown in red light having their shoot bottom exposed. Calmodulin (CaM) antagonist N‐(6‐aminohexyl)‐5‐chloro‐1‐napthalene sulphonamide or trifluoperazine substantially restored photomorphogenesis both in the wild type (WT) and phyA demonstrating the involvement of CaM‐dependent kinases in the down‐regulation of the greening process. Results demonstrate that red light‐induced suppression of photomorphogenesis, perceived in the shoot bottom, is a red high irradiance response of PhyA.     

Ecotoxicological evaluation of municipal sludge

Municipal wastes originating from urban and industrial areas have become a major source of soil, ground and surface water pollution. These undesirable agents in our environment significantly interact with our flora and fauna. The aim of this study was to test samples of municipal sludge (MS) for their ecotoxicological potential by using sensitive bioassays involving a plant, Vicia faba, and the earthworm, Eisenia foetida. A 10% leachate of MS was prepared for the experiments, and V. faba seedlings were exposed to three leachate concentrations (2.5%, 5% and 10%) for 5 days. The findings revealed chromosome aberrations during the metaphase as well as the anaphase of cell division, and inhibition of the mitotic index, which reflects that MS originating from domestic and other human activities may be genotoxic to the living organisms of the ecosystem. Abnormalities in chlorophyll content, plant growth, root length, shoot length and root/shoot length ratio in V. faba clearly indicated the toxicity of the sludge. Behavioural and reproduction studies with E. foetida also provided evidence for the toxic nature of the MS.     

Effect of Anatase Nanoparticles (TiO2) on Parsley Seed Germination (Petroselinum crispum) In Vitro

Nano priming is a new method for the increase of seedling vigor and improvement of germination percentage and seedling growth. The experiments to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of nano-anatase on germination parameters of parsley as a completely randomized design with five replications were performed in a tissue culture laboratory of the Department of Horticulture, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz. In addition, nano-anatase at four concentrations (10, 20, 30, and 40 mg/ml) was added to the Murashige and Skoog medium. At the end of the experiment, the percentage of germination, germination rate index, root and shoot length, fresh weight of seedlings, vigor index, and chlorophyll content were evaluated. The results showed that an increase in the concentration of nano-anatase caused a significant increase in the percentage of germination, germination rate index, root and shoot length, fresh weight, vigor index, and chlorophyll content of seedlings. The best concentration of nano-anatase was 30 mg/ml.     

多裂骆驼蓬提取物对黄瓜种子萌发和幼苗生理特性的影响

通过室内培养和盆栽土培试验研究了多裂骆驼蓬提取物对黄瓜种子萌发和幼苗生长及生理特性的影响。结果表明,多裂骆驼蓬总生物碱提取液、水溶性生物碱提取液和脂溶性生物碱提取液浸种均抑制黄瓜种子萌发过程中淀粉酶、蛋白酶和脂肪酶活性,种子活力和萌发速率降低,呼吸速率减慢;幼苗生长过程中根系活力、硝酸还原酶活性升高,叶绿素含量增加,超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）和过氧化物酶（POD）活性提高。说明用多裂骆驼蓬提取液浸种能够促进黄瓜幼苗生长,有利于培育壮苗。     

Patterns of proteolytic enzyme activities in different tissues of germinating corn (Zea mays L.)

Profiles of pH dependence and activities of live proteolytic enzymes, amino- and carboxypeptidase and endopeptidases active at pH 3.8, 5.4 and 7.5, with casein as substrate, were determined in crude extracts from the various organs of corn seedlings during germination and early development (30°C, dark, 8 d). With respect to the endopeptidases, caseolytic activities at pH 3.8, 5.4 and 7.5 in extracts from endosperm increased concurrently with loss of endosperm N during germination; however, the relative amounts of the pH 7.5 activity were very small. In scutellum extracts, caseolytic activities at both pH 5.4 and 7.5 increased during the initial stages of development but only the increase at pH 5.4 was concurrent with loss of scutellar N. In shoot extracts, caseolytic activities at pH 5.4 and 7.5 were very low and remained relatively constant. There was a progressive increase in shoot N with time. In root extracts, caseolytic activities at pH 5.4 and 7.5 were higher (3-fold) than in shoot extracts. The activity at pH 5.4 remained constant while the activity at pH 7.5 increased during germination. The rate of accumulation of N by the root was low after day 5. The pattern and ratio but not the amounts of the pH 5.4 and 7.5 caseolytic activities of the root were similar to those observed in senescing leaves of field-grown corn. Addition of mercaptoethanol increased (several-fold) the caseolytic activities at pH 3.8 and 5.4, especially the latter, but not the pH 7.5 activity in endosperm extracts and increased the pH 5.4 activity in extracts from scutellum (30%) and roots (30%) while the effect in shoot extracts was negligible. Carboxypeptidase activity was relatively low in young tissue (root tip, 3-d-old shoots) and increased with development of the various organs except the roots (whole) where the activity remained relatively constant. The increases in carboxypeptidase activities were concurrent with decreases in N from endosperm and scutellum; this result indicates that this enzyme in these tissues may be involved (cooperatively with endopeptidases) in the mobilization of reserve protein.Of all the enzymes tested, only carboxypeptidase activity was markedly (in excess of 50%) inhibited by phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride. Only aminopeptidase activity was found in appreciable amounts in endosperm and scutellum of dry kernels. Aminopeptidase activity was highest in organs with high metabolic activity (scutella, shoot, root tips) and decreased in plant parts undergoing rapid loss of nitrogen (endosperm, senescing leaves).Abbreviations AP aminopeptidase - CA caseolytic activity - CP carboxypeptidase - ME mercaptoethanol     

Photosynthetic pigments content, <Emphasis Type="Italic">δ</Emphasis>-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase and acid phosphatase activities and mineral nutrients concentration in cadmium-exposed <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucumis sativus</Emphasis> L.

In this study, the effects of cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) on plant growth, histology of roots, photosynthetic pigments content, δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALA-D; E.C. 4.2.1.24) and acid phosphatase activities (AP; E.C. 3.1.3.2), soluble phosphorus (Pi) measurement and mineral nutrients content in cucumber seedlings (Cucumis sativus L.) were investigated. Cucumber seedlings were grown in vitro in an agar-solidified substrate containing four CdCl₂ treatments (0, 100, 400, and 1000 μM) for ten days. Cd was readily absorbed by seedlings and its content was greater in the roots than in the shoot. Cd reduced shoot and root length, and fresh and dry biomass of seedlings. Inhibition of root cell elongation in Cd-treated seedlings was observed by the increase of the mean radial size of cells belonging to three zones of the root tip. The highest level of Cd reduced in a similar manner chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll contents. Increasing concentrations of Cd resulted in a linear decrease in carotenoids levels of cotyledons. Interestingly, the ALA-D activity in cotyledons was inhibited only at the highest level of Cd. Root and shoot AP activities were, respectively, activated and inhibited at all CdCl₂ concentrations. Root Pi concentration was increased in all Cd treatments and it was not altered in the shoot tissues. Moreover, in general, the nutrient contents were increased in the root and decreased in the shoot. Therefore, we suggest that Cd affects negatively growth, photosynthetic pigments, ALA-D and AP activities and partition of mineral nutrients in cucumber seedlings.     

Allelopathic effect of aqueous extracts of three weed species on the growth and leaf chlorophyll content of bread wheat

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the allelopathic effect of weeds (Avena fatua, Melilotus officinalis and Polypogon hissaricus) on germination, growth, dry biomass and chlorophyll concentration of three cultivars of wheat (Ata Habib, Pirsabaq and Serin). In germination test, different concentrations of aqueous extracts (5, 10 and 15?g/l) of the three weeds significantly reduced percent germination; however, 15?g/l extract of M. officinalis resulted in complete failure of germination of cultivar Pirsabaq. In pot culture, root and shoot length, chlorophyll concentration and seedling dry biomass of the three wheat varieties showed differential responses to different weeds. Aqueous extract at 15?g/l of A. fatua increased root and shoot length and dry biomass of cultivar Pirsabaq; however, these parameters were significantly retarded in other two wheat cultivars by extract of weeds. Moisture content of the cultivars did not show any response to allelopathic stress of the weeds. In contrast, chlorophyll concentration in Pirsabaq and Serin was significantly increased by aqueous extract of all the weeds but reduced it in cultivar Ata Habib by 50%. In general, Ata Habib was found to be the most sensitive cultivar to the imposed allelopathic stress. The phytotoxic potential of three weeds was found in the order of A. fatua?>?M. officinalis?>?P. hissaricus.     

Adaptation of the Photosynthetic Apparatus of Chlorella and Ankistrodesmus to Blue and Red Light

The mode of adaptation of the photosynthetic apparatus of three unicellular green algae, Ankistrodesmus braunii, Chlorella fusca and Chlorella saccharophila to red and blue light are documented by the fluence-rate curves of photosynthetic oxygen evolution. For all three algae tested photosynthetic capacity, respiration and light compensation point were higher for cells grown under red light, while the chlorophyll content increased in blue light-grown cells. Blue light-adapted cells have a lower chlorophyll a to chlorophyll b ratio and more chlorophyll in the light-harvesting system than red light-adapted cells, as shown in the electrophoretic profile of the pigment-protein complexes. It is concluded that the action of red light resembles that of high levels of white light, while blue light causes the same effects as low levels of white light. In agreement with previous publications these findings indicate that the mode of adaptation to different light qualities is ubiquitous in unicellular green algae.     

三唑酮对黄瓜幼苗生长及抗寒性的影响

研究了不同浓度三唑酮浸种对黄瓜幼苗生物量及抗寒性的影响。结果表明,20～100μmol·L^-1三唑酮能显著抑制黄瓜幼苗的株高、根长,增加了根重、根冠比和叶绿素含量,30d幼苗经过3d低温胁迫后,10～50μmol·L^-1三唑酮处理能保持较高的叶绿素含量,有效地降低质膜相对透性,维持较高的SOD活性,50μmol·L^-1三唑酮处理明显减缓低温胁迫过程中MDA的累积。另外,50μmol·L^-1三唑酮处理在低温胁迫第1d促进脯氨酸的累积,在第3d脯氨酸反而低于对照。但高浓度(>100μmol·L^-1)三唑酮不利于幼苗抵御低温伤害,总的来看,三唑酮增强了黄瓜幼苗的耐寒性。     

The Occurrence of Rhodoxanthin in Red-leaved Seedlings of Agathis australis Salisb.

A red carotenoid pigment was isolated by paper chromatographyfrom extracts of leaves of red pigmented Agathis australis seedlings.The position and shape of the absorption spectra of this pigmentin three solvents was identical with those for rhodoxanthinisolated from the arils of Taxus baccata fruit. The behaviourof the red pigment on partitioning between petroleum ether and90 per cent, methanol, its position on sucrose, celite, andmagnesium oxide columns and its solubility in various solventswas consistent with this conclusion. The red leaf pigment andrhodoxanthin could not be separated when co-chromatographedin two solvent systems. The concentration of this pigment inred seedlings was c. 25 times greater than that in green seedlingswhile the chlorophyll content in the former was half that ofthe latter. The implications of these findings are discussed.     

铁核桃根与叶水浸提液对果园间作绿肥植物的化感作用及其生理机制

以西南地区具有代表性的16种绿肥植物为受体材料,采用培养皿药膜法研究了铁核桃(Juglans sigillata)根水浸提液对受体种子发芽率及幼苗鲜重、干重的化感效应;并进一步研究了铁核桃根、叶水浸提液和胡桃醌对化感效应存在明显差异的4种绿肥植物(绿豆、红三叶、白三叶、花生)种子萌发与幼苗生长以及抗氧化酶特性的影响,以筛选适宜中国西南地区核桃园种植的绿肥植物,探讨核桃根和凋落物对绿肥作物的化感作用机制。结果表明:(1)铁核桃根水浸提液对绿豆的发芽率没有影响,但对绿豆幼苗鲜重和干重有显著抑制作用,而对其他15种绿肥的发芽率和鲜重、干重均有抑制作用。(2)胡桃醌显著抑制绿豆种子萌发,而铁核桃根或叶水浸提液对绿豆种子萌发没有影响。(3)铁核桃根或叶水浸提液以及胡桃醌对绿肥植物幼苗生长的化感效应趋势一致,但核桃根或叶水浸提液的化感效应强于胡桃醌。(4)绿豆幼苗在铁核桃根或叶水浸提液以及胡桃醌处理下,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、过氧化物酶(POD)的活性均高于其他3种(红三叶、白三叶、花生)受体幼苗,表明绿豆清除活性氧能力高,细胞受损害程度较低,受化感作用影响最弱。研究认为,绿豆为适宜中国西南地区幼龄核桃园种植的间作绿肥植物。     

Can the negative plant–soil feedback of Jacobaea vulgaris be explained by autotoxicity?

Field and bioassay studies with Jacobaea vulgaris (ragwort) have shown that plants grow poorly in soil originating from the rhizosphere of this species and that this can influence the dynamics of ragwort populations during secondary succession. In the present study we examined whether the negative effect of ragwort on conspecifics may be due to autotoxicity. First, we experimentally established that ragwort exerts negative plant–soil feedback. We subsequently examined the inhibitory effects on germination and seedling performance of different strengths of aqueous extracts made from shoot and root tissues of ragwort, and from soil in which ragwort had been growing. The effects of the extracts were tested for seedlings growing in sterilised soil or in glass beads with water. Finally, the inhibitory effect of entire root fragments on seedling performance was tested. We observed that performance of seedlings growing in glass beads was significantly reduced by the high and medium strength root and shoot extracts. Extracts made from soil did not differ significantly from the control, and seedlings growing in sterilised soil were also not affected by ragwort extracts. Seed germination was significantly reduced by the high strength shoot extract only. The root length of seedlings growing in water with root fragments was reduced significantly. We conclude that under laboratory conditions ragwort can be autotoxic and discuss the role that autotoxicity may play in influencing the dynamics of ragwort populations during secondary succession.     

三唑酮浸种后黄瓜幼苗的生理生化变化

黄瓜以一定浓度的三唑酮浸种后,幼苗的根长,株高受到明显抑制,但增大了根重、根冠比、子叶游离氨基酸含量及子叶呼吸速率,同时降低了子叶可溶性糖含量,30d苗龄第1、2片真叶中叶绿素、蛋白质含量、POD、CAT活力增有不同程度的提高,因此表现出一定的壮苗作用。其中50μmol/L对壮苗是最佳的,但高浓度对幼苗生长不利。     

Zinc Extraction potential of two common crop plants,Nicotiana tabacum and Zea mays

White spruce [Picea glauca (Moench) Voss] seedlings were inoculated with Hebeloma crustuliniforme and treated with 25 mM NaCl to examine the effects of salinized soil and mycorrhizae on root hydraulic conductance and growth. Mycorrhizal seedlings had significantly greater shoot and root dry weights, number of lateral branches and chlorophyll content than non-mycorrhizal seedlings. Salt treatment reduced seedling growth in both non-mycorrhizal and mycorrhizal seedlings. However, needles of salt-treated mycorrhizal seedlings had several-fold higher needle chlorophyll content than that in non-mycorrhizal seedlings treated with salt. Mycorrhizae increased N and P concentrations in seedlings. Na levels in shoots and roots of salt-treated mycorrhizal seedlings were significantly lower and root hydraulic conductance was several-fold higher than in non-mycorrhizal seedlings. A reduction of about 50% in root hydraulic conductance of mycorrhizal seedlings was observed after removal of the fungal hyphal sheath. Transpiration and root respiration rates were reduced by salt treatments in both groups of seedlings compared with the controls, however, both transpiration and respiration rates of salt-treated mycorrhizal seedlings were as high as those in the non-mycorrhizal seedlings that had not been subjected to salt treatment. The reduction of shoot Na uptake while increasing N and P absorption and maintaining high transpiration rates and root hydraulic conductance may be important resistance mechanisms in ectomycorrhizal plants growing in salinized soil.     

Effects of light quality on the chloroplastic ultrastructure and photosynthetic characteristics of cucumber seedlings

To understand how light quality influences plant photosynthesis, we investigated chloroplastic ultrastructure, chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthetic parameters, Rubisco and chlorophyll content and photosynthesis-related genes expression in cucumber seedlings exposed to different light qualities: white, red, blue, yellow and green lights with the same photosynthetic photon flux density of 100 μmol m^?2 s^?1. The results revealed that plant growth, CO₂ assimilation rate and chlorophyll content were significantly reduced in the seedlings grown under red, blue, yellow and green lights as compared with those grown under white light, but each monochromatic light played its special role in regulating plant morphogenesis and photosynthesis. Seedling leaves were thickened and slightly curled; Rubisco biosynthesis, expression of the rca, rbcS and rbcL, the maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) and quantum yield of PSII electron transport (Ф_PSII) were all increased in seedlings grown under blue light as compared with those grown under white light. Furthermore, the photosynthetic rate of seedlings grown under blue light was significantly increased, and leaf number and chlorophyll content of seedlings grown under red light were increased as compared with those exposed to other monochromatic lights. On the contrary, the seedlings grown under yellow and green lights were dwarf with the new leaves etiolated. Moreover, photosynthesis, Rubisco biosynthesis and relative gene expression were greatly decreased in seedlings grown under yellow and green light, but chloroplast structural features were less influenced. Interestingly, the Fv/Fm, Ф_PSII value and chlorophyll content of the seedlings grown under green light were much higher than those grown under yellow light.     

Brassinosteroid improves seed germination and early development of tomato seedling under phenanthrene stress

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are one of the toxic persistent organic pollutants, have global environmental concern. Seed germination and early seedling development are the initial handicaps for plant establishment in phytoremediation program. Assisted phytoremediation by plant growth regulators may be a potential solution for these problems. Hence, we investigated the effects of seed treatment with various concentrations (0.01, 1.0, 100?nM) of 24-epibrassinolide (EBR) in tomato under graded levels (30, 100, 300???M) of a three-ring PAH namely phenanthrene (PHE). Delayed and decreased seed germination, reduced length and fresh weight (FW) of shoot and root were observed following 10?days of PHE exposure in a dose dependent manner. Chlorophyll fluorescence study suggested a possible photoinhibition and damage to photosynthetic apparatus under PHE exposure. However, seed treatment with EBR improved seed germination and increased length and FW of shoot and root. In addition, EBR remarkably restored the studied chlorophyll fluorescence parameters towards control levels. Different responses in antioxidant enzymes were observed following PHE exposure, while malondialdehyde (MDA) content was increased in a concentration dependent manner. EBR treatment prior to PHE exposure remarkably increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes over PHE alone, but decreased the MDA contents both in shoot and root of young tomato seedlings. Considering all the studied parameters, seed treatment with 1.0?nM EBR was most effective followed by 100 and 0.01?nM for the improvement of germination and seedling growth under PHE stress in tomato.