Alleviation of Cadmium Toxicity in Brassica juncea L. (Czern. & Coss.) by Calcium Application Involves Various Physiological and Biochemical Strategies

Calcium (Ca) plays important role in plant development and response to various environmental stresses. However, its involvement in mitigation of heavy metal stress in plants remains elusive. In this study, we examined the effect of Ca (50 mM) in controlling cadmium (Cd) uptake in mustard (Brassica juncea L.) plants exposed to toxic levels of Cd (200 mg L⁻¹ and 300 mg L⁻¹). The Cd treatment showed substantial decrease in plant height, root length, dry weight, pigments and protein content. Application of Ca improved the growth and biomass yield of the Cd-stressed mustard seedlings. More importantly, the oil content of mustard seeds of Cd-stressed plants was also enhanced with Ca treatment. Proline was significantly increased in mustard plants under Cd stress, and exogenously sprayed Ca was found to have a positive impact on proline content in Cd-stressed plants. Different concentrations of Cd increased lipid peroxidation but the application of Ca minimized it to appreciable level in Cd-treated plants. Excessive Cd treatment enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase, which were further enhanced by the addition of Ca. Additionally, Cd stress caused reduced uptake of essential elements and increased Cd accumulation in roots and shoots. However, application of Ca enhanced the concentration of essential elements and decreased Cd accumulation in Cd-stressed plants. Our results indicated that application of Ca enables mustard plant to withstand the deleterious effect of Cd, resulting in improved growth and seed quality of mustard plants.     

Alleviation of Cadmium Toxicity by Naphthenate Treatment

The work is concerned with the effect of low concentrations (10^–7 mol dm^–3) of sodium naphthenate on total content of Cd and its particular forms in the intercellular space and inside cells, as well as on some physiological and biochemical parameters of young soybean plants grown in the presence of 1 mmol dm^–3 solution of cadmium chloride. Presence of naphthenate reduced in average by 40 % content total and intracellular Cd in root, stem and leaves and alleviated the harmful effect of Cd on activity of nitrate reductase and content of photosynthetic pigments.     

Interactive Effect of Silicon (Si) and Salicylic Acid (SA) in Maize Seedlings and Their Mechanisms of Cadmium (Cd) Toxicity Alleviation

Journal of Plant Growth Regulation - The present study has been conducted to evaluate the impact of silicon (Si) and salicylic acid (SA) in the regulation of Cd-induced toxicity in maize seedlings....     

Silicon Alleviation of Cadmium Toxicity in Mangrove (Avicennia marina) in Relation to Cadmium Compartmentation

Mangrove plants seem to be highly tolerant of high levels of heavy-metal pollution. Recently, some researchers have focused on the mechanisms involved in their metal uptake and tolerance. However, the important mechanisms involved are still only partly understood. This investigation studied whether silicon (Si) affected cadmium (Cd) subcellular distribution in the leaves and root tips of Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh seedlings, resulting in the amelioration of the toxicity of Cd. The results showed that Si partly overcame the reduction in growth due to Cd. This amelioration was correlated with a reduction in Cd uptake and alteration of Cd subcellular distribution. The mechanisms of Si amelioration of Cd stress were tissue dependent. In the leaves and root tips, Si reduced Cd concentration in subcellular fractions, Cd mobility, and the concentration of biologically active Cd in the cell wall active space. Si did not change the distribution of Cd between compartments in the leaves, but it increased the proportion of Cd in the cell walls and reduced the proportion of Cd in the symplast of the root tips.     

Salicylic Acid Influences Net Photosynthetic Rate,Carboxylation Efficiency,Nitrate Reductase Activity,and Seed Yield in Brassica juncea

Aqueous solutions of salicylic acid (SA) were applied to the foliage of 30-d-old plants of mustard (Brassica juncea Czern & Coss cv. Varuna). The plants sprayed with the lowest used concentration (10₋₅ M) of SA were healthier than those sprayed with water only or with higher concentrations of SA (10⁻⁴ or 10⁻³ M). 60-d-old plants possessed 8.4, 9.8, 9.3, 13.0 and 18.5 % larger dry mass, net photosynthetic rate, carboxylation efficiency, and activities of nitrate reductase and carbonic anhydrase over the control, respectively. Moreover, the number of pods and the seed yield increased by 13.7 and 8.4 % over the control. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A Study on Cadmium Phytoremediation Potential of Indian Mustard,Brassica juncea

The objective of this study was to investigate Cd phytoremediation ability of Indian mustard, Brassica juncea. The study was conducted with 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg Kg^?1 CdCl₂ in laboratory for 21 days and Cd concentrations in the root, shoot and leaf tissues were estimated by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The plant showed high Cd tolerance of up to 400 mg Kg^?1 but there was a general trend of decline in the root and shoot length, tissue biomass, leaf chlorophyll and carotenoid contents. The tolerance index (TI) of plants were calculated taking both root and shoot lengths as variables. The maximum tolerance (TI _shoot = 87.4 % and TI _root = 89.6 %) to Cd toxicity was observed at 25 mg Kg^?1, which progressively decreased with increase in dose. The highest shoot (10791 μg g^?1 dry wt) and root (9602 μg g^?1 dry wt) Cd accumulation was achieved at 200 mg kg^?1 Cd treatment and the maximum leaf Cd accumulation was 10071.6 μg g^?1 dry wt achieved at 100 mg Kg^?1 Cd, after 21 days of treatment. The enrichment coefficient and root to shoot translocation factor were calculated, which, pointed towards the suitability of Indian mustard for removing Cd from soil.     

Alleviation of Field Low-Temperature Stress in Winter Wheat by Exogenous Application of Salicylic Acid

Low temperature in later spring severely limits plant growth and causes considerable yield loss in wheat. In this study, the impacts of exogenous salicylic acid (SA) on plant growth, grain yield and key physiological parameters of wheat plants were investigated under field low-temperature conditions using a field air temperature control system (FATC). The results showed that low-temperature stress significantly decreased leaf net photosynthetic rate, plant height and biomass production of wheat plants at the jointing stage, resulting in a reduction in grain yield. Moreover, the growth period of wheat plants was prolonged by low-temperature stress. However, SA-treated plants significantly improved the photochemical efficiency of photosystem II, accumulation of osmo-protectants, activities of enzymatic antioxidants, and pool of non-enzymatic low molecular substances compared with non-SA-treated plants under low-temperature stress. Pretreatment with SA effectively alleviated low-temperature-induced reduction in leaf net photosynthetic rate, plant height, biomass production and grain yield as well as prolonging of growth period of wheat plants. However, SA-treated plants had no significant effects on the expression levels of cold-responsive genes compared with non-SA-treated plants under low-temperature stress. Our results demonstrated that exogenous application of SA is an appropriate strategy for wheat to resist late spring low-temperature stress under field conditions.

     

Mapping genes for resistance to Leptosphaeria maculans in Brassica juncea.

Blackleg disease of crucifers, caused by the fungus Leptosphaeria maculans, is a major concern to oilseed rape producers worldwide. Brassica species containing the B genome have high levels of resistance to blackleg. Brassica juncea F2 and first-backcross (B1) populations segregating for resistance to a PG2 isolate of L. maculans were created. Segregation for resistance to L. maculans in these populations suggested that resistance was controlled by two independent genes, one dominant and one recessive in nature. A map of the B. juncea genome was constructed using segregation in the F2 population of a combination of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and microsatel lite markers. The B. juncea map consisted of 325 loci and was aligned with previous maps of the Brassica A and B genomes. The gene controlling dominant resistance to L. maculans was positioned on linkage group J13 based on segregation for resistance in the F2 population. This position was confirmed in the B1 population in which the resistance gene was definitively mapped in the interval flanked by pN199RV and sB31143F. The provisional location of the recessive gene controlling resistance to L. maculans on linkage group J18 was identified using a subset of informative F2 individuals.     

Brassica napus DNA markers linked to white rust resistance in Brassica juncea

White rust, caused by Albugo candida, is an economically important disease of Brassica juncea mustard. The most efficient and cost effective way of protecting mustard plants from white rust is through genetic resistance. The development of canola quality B. juncea through interspecific crosses of B. juncea with Brassica napus has lead to the introgression of white rust resistance from B. napus into B. juncea. The objective of this study was to identify DNA markers for white rust resistance, derived from the introgressed B. napus chromosome segment, in a BC(3)F(2) population of condiment B. juncea mustard. This segregating population was phenotyped for white rust reaction and used to screen for AFLP markers associated with white rust resistance using bulked segregant analysis. Segregation data indicated that a single dominant gene controlled resistance to white rust. Eight AFLP markers linked to white rust resistance were identified, all derived from B. napus. The B. napus chromosome segment, carrying the white rust resistance gene ( Ac2V(1)), appeared to have recombined with the B. juncea DNA since recombinant individuals were identified. Comparative mapping of the eight B. napus-derived AFLP markers in a typical B. napus mapping population was inconclusive; therefore, the size of the introgressed B. napus fragment could not be determined.     

Transfer of auxinic herbicide resistance from Brassica kaber to Brassica juncea and Brassica rapa through embryo rescue

Auxinic herbicides are widely used in agriculture to selectively control broadleaf weeds. Prolonged use of auxinic herbicides has resulted in the evolution of resistance to these herbicides in some biotypes of Brassica kaber (wild mustard), a common weed in agricultural crops. In this study, auxinic herbicide resistance from B. kaber was transferred to Brassica juncea and Brassica rapa, two commercially important Brassica crops, by traditional breeding coupled with in vitro embryo rescue. A high frequency of embryo regeneration and hybrid plant establishment was achieved. Transfer of auxinic herbicide resistance from B. kaber to the hybrids was assessed by whole-plant screening of hybrids with dicamba, a widely used auxinic herbicide. Furthermore, the hybrids were tested for fertility (both pollen and pistil) and their ability to produce backcross progeny. The auxinic herbicide-resistant trait was introgressed into B. juncea by backcross breeding. DNA ploidy of the hybrids as well as of the backcross progeny was estimated by flow cytometry. Creation of auxinic herbicide-resistant Brassica crops by non-transgenic approaches should facilitate effective weed control, encourage less tillage, provide herbicide rotation options, minimize occurrence of herbicide resistance, and increase acceptance of these crops.     

Impact of Lead and Cadmium on Enzyme of Citric Acid Cycle in Germinating Pea Seeds

The present investigations were conducted to ascertain the influence of Pb₂₊ and Cd₂₊ both individually and in combination on selected enzymes of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. All the enzymes of TCA cycle examined (-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase) were affected deleteriously by Pb₂₊ as well as Cd₂₊ and these metals in combination gave more or less an additive effect.     

Virulence of Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains with Brassica napus and Brassica juncea

Summary Brassica napus and Brassica juncea were infected with a number of Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains. Tumourigenesis was very rapid and extremely efficient on B. juncea with all but one of the strains. Tumourigenesis on B. napus varied widely. It was very efficient with the nopaline strains, was reduced with the succinamopine strain A281 and was very weak with the octopine strains. The latter observation was confirmed with six different B. napus rapeseed cultivars. The selectivity was due to differences in the virulence of Ti plasmids with B. napus, rather than the tumourigenicity of the T-DNA or virulence of the chromosomal genes associated with the strains. An exception was strain LBA4404. The virulence of the octopine strains was increased by coinfection with more virulent disarmed strains and by induction with acetosyringone.     

Biochemical Changes Associated With Brassica juncea Seed Development. IV. Acid and Alkaline Phosphatases

Changes in acid and alkaline phosphatase activities in cytoplasmic and wall-bound fractions of developing mustard (Brassica juncea) seed were studied. Growth was measured by seed dry weight and water content. Seed dry weight data were fitted to a cubic polynomial equation. Seed water content and dry matter accumulation was significantly correlated. Cytoplasmic acid and alkaline phosphatase activities were substantially less in the cytoplasmic fraction than the wall-bound fraction. Wall-bound acid phosphatase activity was low initially, but high levels were maintained after day 25, indicating a relationship with dry matter accumulation. The results suggest that acid phosphatase plays an important role during mustard seed development. Received February 19, 1998; accepted May 6, 1999     

Salicylic Acid Ameliorates Cadmium Toxicity by Increasing Nutrients Uptake and Upregulating Antioxidant Enzyme Activity and Uptake/Transport-Related Genes in Oryza sativa L. indica

Journal of Plant Growth Regulation - Cadmium (Cd) is highly toxic to plants and limits crop growth and productivity; it also affects the uptake and distribution of nutrients, accelerates oxidative...     

Applications of Citric Acid Industrial Wastewater and Phosphonates for Soil Remediation: Effects on Temporal Change of Cadmium Distribution

Citric acid industrial wastewater (CAIW) and phosphonates are potentially useful for enhancing remediation of metal-contaminated soil. This study aimed to investigate the effects of these enhancement agents on temporal change of Cd distribution in a clayey soil, which probably correlates with the metal lability and bioavailability in the environment. Sequential extractions were performed on the soil samples from batch desorption experiments between 5 and 4320 min. The CAIW primarily enhanced Cd extraction from weakly bound fractions (i.e., exchangeable and carbonate fractions), which was relatively fast and took place in the first 60 min. On the other hand, (nitrilotrimethylene)-triphosphonic acid (NTMP) and ethylene diaminetetra-methylenephosphonic acid (EDTMP) provided a more significant Cd extraction from exchangeable, carbonate, and oxide fractions, with the change of Cd distribution occurring over the first 300 min. The differences in the extent and temporal change of metal extraction reflected the weaker complexation strength of CAIW compared to that of NTMP and EDTMP. Moreover, an increase of pH from 4 to 10 shifted the remaining Cd from exchangeable fraction to carbonate and oxide fractions. These distribution changes indicated that both CAIW and phosphonates were efficient at removing weakly bound Cd fractions in a short period of time, but alkaline conditions could hinder their effectiveness.     

Phytoremediation of aspirin and tetracycline by Brassica juncea

With the increasing release of pharmaceutical drugs in the environment, research is in progress for investigating alternative methods for their remediation. Various studies have shown the phytoremediation potential of Brassica juncea for metals. The current study was aimed at evaluating the phytoremediation potential of B. juncea for two different pharmaceutical drugs i.e. aspirin and tetracycline in in-vitro conditions. The seeds of B. juncea were germinated and grown for a period of 28 and 24 days for aspirin and tetracycline, respectively. The study analyzed the remediation rate of B. juncea for the selected drugs in three different sets of varying concentration along with any phytotoxic effects exerted by the drugs on the seeds. Preliminary results showed that the average remediation rate of aspirin and tetracycline at the end of experiment was approximately 90% and 71%, respectively. As initial drug concentrations were increased in the media, the remediation rate also improved. However, at higher concentrations, the plants showed phytotoxicity as depicted by the decrease in shoot length of the germinated seeds. These preliminary results indicated that B. juncea could tolerate and remediate pharmaceutical drugs such as analgesics and antibiotics.     

Alleviation of osmotic stress in Brassica napus,B. campestris,and B. juncea by ascorbic acid application

The roles of ascorbic acid (AsA, 1 mM) under an osmotic stress [induced by 15 % (m/v) polyethylene glycol, PEG-6000] were investigated by examining morphological and physiological attributes in Brassica species. The osmotic stress reduced the fresh and dry masses, leaf relative water content (RWC), and chlorophyll (Chl) content, whereas increased the proline (Pro), malondialdehyde (MDA), and H₂O₂ content, and lipoxygenase (LOX) activity. The ascorbate content in B. napus, B. campestris, and B. juncea decreased, increased, and remained unaltered, respectively. The dehydroascorbate (DHA) content increased only in B. napus. The AsA/DHA ratio was reduced by the osmotic stress in all the species except B. juncea. The osmotic stress increased the glutathione (GSH) content only in B. juncea, but increased the glutathione disulfide (GSSG) content and decreased the GSH/GSSG ratio in all the species. The osmotic stress increased the activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) (except in B. napus), glutathione reductase (GR) (except in B. napus), glutathione S-transferase (GST) (except in B. juncea), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and decreased the activities of catalase (CAT) and monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR) (only in B. campestris). The osmotic stress decreased the glyoxalase I (Gly I) and increased glyoxalase II (Gly II) activities. The application of AsA in combination with PEG improved the fresh mass, RWC, and Chl content, whereas decreased the Pro, MDA, and H₂O₂ content in comparison with PEG alone. The AsA addition improved AsA-GSH cycle components and improved the activities of all antioxidant and glyoxalase enzymes in most of the cases. So, exogenous AsA improved physiological adaptation and alleviated oxidative damage under the osmotic stress by improving the antioxidant and glyoxalase systems. According to measured parameters, B. juncea can be recognized as more drought tolerant than B. napus and B. campestris.     

Simultaneous Removal of Lindane,Lead and Cadmium from Soils by Rhamnolipids Combined with Citric Acid

This study investigated the performance of rhamnolipids-citric acid mixed agents in simultaneous desorption of lindane and heavy metals from soils. The capacity of the mixed agents to solubilize lindane, lead and cadmium in aqueous solution was also explored. The results showed that the presence of citric acid greatly enhanced the solubilization of lindane and cadmium by rhamnolipids. A combined effect of the mixed agents on lindane and heavy metals removal from soils was observed. The maximum desorption ratios for lindane, cadmium and lead were 85.4%, 76.4% and 28.1%, respectively, for the mixed agents containing 1% rhamnolipidsand 0.1 mol/L citric acid. The results also suggest that the removal efficiencies of lead and cadmium were strongly related to their speciations in soils, and metals in the exchangeable and carbonate forms were easier to be removed. Our study suggests that the combining use of rhamnolipids and citric acid is a promising alternative to simultaneously remove organochlorine pesticides and heavy metals from soils.