Aluminum-inhibited root growth of rice seedlings is mediated through putrescine accumulation

The effects of AlCl₃ on growth and polyamine levels of rice roots were investigated. When rice roots were treated with AlCl₃, root growth was markedly inhibited. AlCl₃ treatment resulted in a higher putrescine content and lower spermidine and spermine contents in rice roots. d-Argnine and α-methylornithine, inhibitors of putrescine biosynthesis, caused a reduced content of putrescine in rice roots under Al stress. AlCl₃ treatment also resulted in a decrease in diamine oxidase activity in rice roots. The growth of rice roots in the presence of AlCl₃ was recovered after the addition of d-arginine or α-methylornithine. The protective effect of d-arginine or α-methylornithine in counteracting AlCl₃-inhibited growth of rice roots is unlikely caused by reduction of Al uptake. Furthermore, the effect of the growth recovery in AlCl₃-treated rice roots by d-arginine or α-methylornithine was reversed by the addition of putrescine. Our results strongly suggest that putrescine accumulation is a factor causing growth inhibition of rice roots under Al tress. Evidence is also presented to show that lignification is responsible for putrescine- and AlCl₃-inhibited growth of rice roots.     

Cell wall peroxidase against ferulic acid, lignin, and NaCl-reduced root growth of rice seedlings

The changes in cell wall peroxidase activity against ferulic acid (FPOD) and lignin level in roots of NaCl-stressed rice seedlings and their correlation with root growth were investigated. Increasing concentrations of NaCl from 50 to 150 mmol L⁻¹ progressively decreases root growth. The reduction of root growth by NaCl is closely correlated with the increase in FPOD activity extracted from the cell wall. In contrast, lignin level was reduced by NaCl. Since proline and ammonium accumulations are associated with root growth inhibition caused by NaCl, we determined the effect of proline or NH₄Cl on root growth and FPOD in roots. Exogenous application of NH₄Cl or proline markedly inhibited root growth and increased FPOD activity in rice seedlings in the absence of NaCl. An increase in FPOD activity in roots preceded inhibition of root growth caused either by NaCl, NH₄Cl, or proline. Our results suggest that cell-wall stiffening catalyzed by FPOD may participate in the regulation of root growth reduction of rice seedlings caused by NaCl.     

Cell wall peroxidase activity,hydrogen peroxide level and NaCl-inhibited root growth of rice seedlings

The changes in cell-wall peroxidase (POD) activity and H₂O₂ level in roots of NaCl-stressed rice seedlings and their correlation with root growth were investigated. Increasing concentrations of NaCl from 50 to 150 mM progressively reduced root growth and increased ionically bound cell-wall POD activity. NaCl had no effect on covalently bound cell-wall POD activities. The reduction of root growth by NaCl is closely correlated with the increase in H₂O₂ level. Exogenous H₂O₂ was found to inhibit root growth of rice seedlings. Since ammonium and proline accumulation are associated with root growth inhibition caused by NaCl, we determined the effects of NH₄Cl or proline on root growth, cell-wall POD activity and H₂O₂level in roots. External application of NH₄Cl or proline markedly inhibited root growth, increased cell-wall POD activity and increased H₂O₂ level in roots of rice seedlings in the absence of NaCl. An increase in cell-wall POD activity and H₂O₂ level preceded inhibition of root growth caused by NaCl, NH₄Cl or proline. NaCl or proline treatment also increased NADH-POD and diamine oxidase (DAO) activities in roots of rice seedlings, suggesting that NADH-POD and DAO contribute to the H₂O₂ generation in the cell wall of NaCl- or proline-treated roots. NH₄Cl treatment increased NADH-POD activity but had no effect on DAO activity, suggesting that NADH-POD but not DAO is responsible for H₂O₂ generation in cell wall of NH₄Cl-treated roots.     

Time-course of pathogen induced accumulation of callose as mechanical protective barrier in wheat seedlings

Results of fluorescence microscopic study and quantitative luminescent analysis of pathogen induced callose accumulation in winter wheat seedlings of two cultivars with different resistance to causal agent of eyespot disease are presented. Higher content of constitutive callose in intact seedlings of unsusceptible cultivar at the initial stages of vegetation was determined. It correlates with resistance of this cultivar to Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides—causal agent of eyespot disease. The increased pathogen induced accumulation of callose in seedlings of susceptible cultivar was revealed, however, it did not influence it protection against pathogen.     

Aluminum inhibits root growth and induces hydrogen peroxide accumulation in Plantago algarbiensis and P. almogravensis seedlings

We have evaluated the impact of aluminum (Al) on germination, relative root growth, Al accumulation in roots tips, H₂O₂ levels, plasma membrane integrity, pigment levels, protein content, and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in seedlings of the endangered Portuguese species Plantago algarbiensis and Plantago almogravensis. We found that up to 400 μM Al had no impact on the germination percentage in either species but inhibited root growth in a concentration-dependent manner (more severely in P. algarbiensis). Al accumulation in the root tips of both species was concentration dependent up to 200 μM but declined thereafter despite the absence of membrane damage. We observed a concentration-dependent induction of SOD activity but no change in CAT activity resulting in the accumulation of H₂O₂ (a known growth inhibitor), although its impact in P. almogravensis may be partially ameliorated by the accumulation of carotenoid pigments. Our data suggest an association between Al uptake, H₂O₂ production, and the inhibition of root growth during early seedling development in P. algarbiensis and P. almogravensis, although the latter is more tolerant towards higher concentrations of the metal.     

Cadmium stress in wheat seedlings: growth,cadmium accumulation and photosynthesis

Seedlings of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars Jing 411, Jinmai 30 and Yangmai 10 were exposed to 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50 μM of CdCl₂ in a solution culture experiment. The effects of cadmium (Cd) stress on wheat growth, leaf photon energy conversion, gas exchange, and Cd accumulation in wheat seedlings were investigated. Gas exchange was monitored at 3, 9, 24 days after treatment (DAT). Growth parameters, chlorophyll content, leaf chlorophyll fluorescence, and Cd concentration in shoot and root were measured at 24 DAT. Seedling growth, gas exchange, chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were generally depressed by Cd stress, especially under the high Cd concentrations. Cd concentration and accumulation in both shoots and roots increased with increasing external Cd concentrations. Relationships between corrected parameters of growth, photosynthesis and fluorescence and corrected Cd concentrations in shoots and roots could be explained by the regression model Y = K/(1 + exp(a + bX)). Jing 411 was found to be Cd tolerant considering parameters of chlorophyll content, photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence in which less Cd translocation was from roots into shoots. The high Cd concentrations were in shoots and roots in Yangmai 10 which has been found to be a relative Cd tolerant cultivar in terms of most growth parameters.     

DCPTA对盐胁迫下玉米苗期根系生长、渗透调节及膜透性的影响

黑龙江省西部地区盐碱土面积约有66.7×104hm2,制约着黑龙江省粮食生产水平的进一步提高。叔胺类活性物质2-(3,4-二氯苯氧基)-乙基-二乙胺(DCPTA)具有提高作物抗逆性作用,为探讨DCPTA提高玉米耐盐性机制,采用营养液水培试验,在前期试验基础之上,选取"先玉335"(耐盐性强)和"丰禾1号"(耐盐性弱)2个品种,研究DCPTA(15mg·L-1)对Na Cl胁迫下(150 mmol·L-1)玉米幼苗根系生长、渗透调节及质膜透性的影响。结果表明:DCPTA能增加盐胁迫下幼苗的根长、根表面积、根体积、根鲜重和根干重,缓解盐胁迫对根系生长的抑制;DCPTA维持了根系水分平衡,提高了盐胁迫下幼苗根系相对含水量,"先玉335"和"丰禾1号"分别提高3.6%和6.4%;DCPTA通过提高根系可溶性糖含量和可溶性蛋白含量,降低幼苗根系脯氨酸含量,增强了盐胁迫下玉米幼苗根系的渗透调节能力,并通过降低根系丙二醛(MDA)含量和相对电导率,保护了根系质膜结构和功能;与盐胁迫相比,"先玉335"丙二醛含量和相对电导率分别降低21.6%和24.2%,"丰禾1号"分别降低28.1%和30.4%;DCPTA缓解盐胁迫对根系伤害的效果表现为"丰禾1号""先玉335"。     

Nitric oxide affecting root growth,lignification and related enzymes in soybean seedlings

This study analyzed the involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in the root lignification of soybean seedlings. To this end, changes in root cell viability; phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and soluble and cell wall bound peroxidase (POD) activities and lignin and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) contents of soybean roots treated with the NO-donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and its relationships with root growth were evaluated. Seedlings were cultivated in a nutrient solution supplemented with 5 to 1,000 μM SNP for 24 h. At an extremely low concentration (5 μM), SNP induced root growth and increased lignification and activities of related enzymes (PAL and cell wall-bound POD). At a high concentration (1,000 μM), SNP reduced root growth and lignification (PAL activity and H₂O₂ and lignin contents) and caused a loss of cell viability. Application of potassium ferrocyanide (an analog of SNP that cannot release NO) and PTIO (2-phenyl-4,4,5,5,-tetramethylimidazoleline-1-oxyl-3-oxide, a scavenger of NO) revealed that the inhibitory/stimulatory effects on root lignification may be due to NO itself. These results indicate that NO, depending on its concentration, may act as a stress factor, due to its toxic action, or as a signal molecule, inducing soybean root growth and lignification.     

Sucrose accumulation in sweet sorghum stem internodes in relation to growth

Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) stems of different cultivars (NK 405. Keller and Tracy) reveal a different pattern of sucrose accumulation with respect to in-ternodal sugar content and distribution. The onset of sucrose storage is not necessarily associated with the reproductive stage of the plant, as was hitherto assumed, but obviously occurs after cessation of internodai elongation as was postulated for the sugarcane stem. For at least two of the three cultivars, ripening is an internode to internode process beginning at the lowermost culm parts. Intensive growth of the internodes, combined with a high hexose content in stern parenchyma, shows a strong positive correlation (r |Mg 0.94) to the activity of sucrose synthase (SuSy; EC 2.4.13), but not to invertase (EC 3.2.1.26) which is not present as soluble (neutral and acid) or cell wall-bound, salt-extractable enzyme in the three culsivars investigated. Sucrose synthase measured in sucrose cleavage and synthesis direction reveals divergent activity rates and sensitivity towards exogenously applied Mg²⁺ ions and pH. SuSy activity is connected to the increase of internodai sucrose content in so far as (1) its decline is a prerequisite for the onset of sucrose accumulation and (2) it remains at a constant low level during sucrose storage. Sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS; EC 2.4.1.14) activity in the sorghum stem is low compared to SuSy and uniformly distributed over all inter-nodes. Only source leaves of sorghum show a considerable SPS activity, but neither stem nor leaf SPS reveal a positive correlation to the increase of internodai sucrose content. Sucrose phosphate phosphatase (SPP; EC 3.1.3.24) amounts lo only 24–30% of the respective SPS activity but follows the same distribution pattern. None of the enzymes under study proves to be responsible for the extent of sucrose storage in the stem, so other phenomena such as transport processes within the stern tissue require further investigation.     

Increase of seed germination,growth and membrane integrity of wheat seedlings by exposure to static and a 10-KHz electromagnetic field

There is a large body of experimental data demonstrating various effects of magnetic field (MF) on plants growth and development. Although the mechanism(s) of perception of MF by plants is not yet elucidated, there is a possibility that like other stimuli, MF exerts its effects on plants by changing membrane integrity and conductance of its water channels, thereby influencing growth characteristics. In this study, the seeds of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Kavir) were imbibed in water overnight and then treated with or without a 30-mT static magnetic field (SMF) and a 10-kHz electromagnetic field (EMF) for 4 days, each 5 h. Water uptake of seeds reduced 5 h of the treatment with EMF but did not show changes in SMF treatment. Exposure to both magnetic fields did not affect germination percent of the seeds but increased the speed of germination, compared to the control group. Treatment with EMF significantly reduced seedling length and subsequently vigor index I, while SMF had no effects on these parameters. Both treatments significantly increased vigor index II, compared to the control group. These treatments also remarkably increased catalase activity and proline contents of seedlings but reduced the activity of peroxidase, the rate of lipid peroxidation and electrolyte leakages of membranes. The results suggest promotional effects of EMFs on membrane integrity and growth characteristics of wheat seedlings.     

Increased root exudation of14C-compounds by sorghum seedlings inoculated with nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Summary Organic components leaked fromSorghum bicolor seedlings (‘root exudates’) were examined by recovering¹⁴C labelled compounds from root solutions of seedlings inoculated withAzospirillum brasilense, Azotobacter vinelandii orKlebsiella pneumoniae nif-. Up to 3.5% of the total¹⁴C recovered from shoots, roots, and nutrient solutions was found in the root solutions. Inoculation with Azospirillum and Azotobacter increased the amounts of¹⁴C and decreased the amounts of carbohydrates in the root solutions. When sucrose was added as a carbon source for the bacteria, the increase of¹⁴C in the solutions did not occur. Quantities of¹⁴C found in the root solutions were proportional to amounts of mineral nitrogen supplied to the plants. Bacterial growth also was proportional to nitrogen levels. When sorghum plants were grown in soil and labelled with¹⁴CO₂, about 15% of the total¹⁴C recovered within 48 hours exposure was found in soil leachates.     

Aphid-induced reduction of shoot and root growth in Douglas-fir seedlings

1. The short‐ and long‐term effects of photosynthate removal by sap‐sucking herbivores on plant growth were examined by experimentally manipulating densities of an aphid Cinara pseudotsugae (Wilson) on 2‐year‐old Douglas‐fir seedlings Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco under greenhouse conditions. An 18‐week test was conducted to determine short‐term effects. Effects of long‐term aphid feeding were examined by exposing seedlings to aphid feeding for two consecutive growing seasons. A third experiment evaluated the extent of recovery during 1 year following a single season of aphid feeding. At least 35 seedlings were used in each test. 2. Volume and dry weight of both shoots and roots decreased significantly with increasing aphid feeding in all three experiments. 3. The most significant and severe aphid effect was reduced root tissue density, suggesting carbohydrate depletion due to translocation from roots to shoots. 4. There was no sign of recovery, of either root or shoot growth, during the year following one season of feeding. 5. The results of this study indicate that short‐term feeding by aphids can affect plant growth and structure for a relatively long time.     

Cadmium stress in Dongying wild soybean seedlings: growth,Cd accumulation,and photosynthesis

Photosynthetica - In order to understand better Cd resistance in soybean, Dongying wild soybean treated with different Cd concentrations were evaluated. The biomass, chlorophyll (Chl) content, leaf...     

Effect of partial root excision on transpiration, root hydraulic conductance and leaf growth in wheat seedlings.

Removal of four out of five roots did not lower transpiration and stomatal conductivity of wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) seedlings. Water content of mature expanded leaf lamina remained constant at control levels. The results suggest that the only remaining root was capable to supply the shoot with water. This was evidenced by an increase in hydraulic conductivity of the root system following partial root excision measured at low subatmospheric pressures induced by vacuum. In the absence of a hydrostatic gradient, water flow from reduced root system was initially not higher than from an intact system, but increased subsequently. ABA content was increased in roots 1 h after partial root excision, which might contribute to the increase in hydraulic conductivity.     

荞麦、高粱根系分泌物对玉米根边缘细胞和根生长的影响

植物的根系分泌物是植物根系与周围环境之间的化学媒介,通过传递特定的信息,调节根际微环境,影响周围植物的生长。玉米(Zea mays L.)和荞麦(Fagopyrum esculentum Moench)是农作物间套作体系中典型的不能搭配的组合,其障碍因素尚不清楚。以玉米为受体植物,采用根悬空培养的方法,研究了荞麦、高粱(Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench)根系分泌物对玉米根边缘细胞和根生长的影响。结果发现,玉米根边缘细胞离体培养条件下,用荞麦根系分泌物中的小分子物质处理4、8 h显著诱导边缘细胞凋亡、死亡,细胞活率分别比对照降低了71.6%和72.3%;荞麦根系分泌物中的小分子物质对玉米根产生氧化胁迫,诱导根SOD、POD和CAT活性分别比对照高22.6%、33.9%和107.2%,根中超氧阴离子(O₂^-·)和脯氨酸含量分别比对照高33.9%和49.8%;荞麦根系分泌物中小分子物质的胁迫使根细胞膜透性增大,与对照相比升高80.0%,丙二醛(MDA)含量比对照升高31.5%;荞麦根系分泌物中小分子物质诱导根内源激素(IAA)含...     

Betaine accumulation in salt-stressed sorghum

Two analytical methods for measuring betaine were compared in a study of betaine accumulation in salt-stressed sorghum. Spectrophotometric determination of betaine as the p -bromophenacyl ester is highly sensitive and specific. However, a periodide assay was found to be more convenient for screening numerous plant samples without undue sacrifice in accuracy.
The accumulation of betaine in grain sorghum [ Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] cvs NK 265 and Double TX was measured in salt-stressed plants grown hydroponically and in the field and in drought-stressed potted plants. Neither drought nor mild salinity (-0.2 MPa) stress was effective in stimulating betaine accumulation. However, when the osmotic potential of the culture solution was lowered to -0.8 MPa, betaine levels in the shoots rose rapidly for 12 days after initiation of salination, and then declined, apparently because of dilution by plant growth. In young leaf blades, betaine was strongly accumulated up to 70–75 μmol (g dry weight)⁻¹; the concentration in leaf sheaths was less than 6 μmol (g dry weight)⁻¹.
In the field, betaine levels in salt-stressed sorghum increased 6- to 7-fold over the basal level of the control plants. In a comparable study of two wheat species ( Triticum aestivum L. cv. Probred and T. durum Desf. cv. 1000-D), betaine increased only 3- to 4-fold over unstressed plants.     

The effects of l-DOPA on root growth, lignification and enzyme activity in soybean seedlings

In the present study, we investigated the effects of l-DOPA (l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine), an allelochemical exuded from the velvetbean (Mucuna pruriens L DC. var. utilis), on the growth and cell viability of soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) roots. We analyzed the effects of l-DOPA on phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), cinnamyl-alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) and cell wall-bound peroxidase (POD) activities as well as its effects on phenylalanine, tyrosine and lignin contents in the roots. 3-day-old seedlings were cultivated in half-strength Hoagland nutrient solution (pH 6.0), with or without 0.5?mM l-DOPA, in a growth chamber at 25?°C for 6, 12, 18 or 24?h with a day/night regime of 1:1, and a photon flux density of 280???mol?m^?2 s^?1. In general, the length, fresh weight and dry weight of the roots decreased followed by a significant loss of cell viability. Phenylalanine, tyrosine and lignin contents as well as PAL, CAD and cell wall-bound POD activities increased after l-DOPA treatment. These results reinforce the susceptibility of soybean to l-DOPA, which increases the enzyme activity in the phenylpropanoid pathway and, therefore, provides precursors for the polymerization of lignin. In brief, these findings suggest that the inhibition of soybean root growth induced by exogenously applied l-DOPA may be due to excessive production of lignin in the cell wall.