Glyphosate affects micro-organisms in rhizospheres of glyphosate-resistant soybeans

Aims: Glyphosate‐resistant (GR) soybean production increases each year because of the efficacy of glyphosate for weed management. A new or ‘second’ generation of GR soybean (GR2) is now commercially available for farmers that is being promoted as higher yielding relative to the previous, ‘first generation’ (GR1) cultivars. Recent reports show that glyphosate affects the biology and ecology of rhizosphere micro‐organisms in GR soybean that affect yield. The objective of this research was to evaluate the microbiological interactions in the rhizospheres of GR2 and GR1 soybean and the performance of the cultivars with different rates of glyphosate applied at different growth stages. Methods and Results: A greenhouse study was conducted using GR1 and GR2 soybean cultivars grown in a silt loam soil. Glyphosate was applied at V2, V4 and V6 growth stages at three rates. Plants harvested at R1 growth stage had high root colonization by Fusarium spp.; reduced rhizosphere fluorescent pseudomonads, Mn‐reducing bacteria, and indoleacetic acid–producing rhizobacteria; and reduced shoot and root biomass. Conclusions: Glyphosate applied to GR soybean, regardless of cultivar, negatively impacts the complex interactions of microbial groups, biochemical activity and root growth that can have subsequent detrimental effects on plant growth and productivity. Significance and Impact of the Study: The information presented here will be crucial in developing strategies to overcome the potential detrimental effects of glyphosate in GR cropping systems.     

Glyphosate affects photosynthesis in first and second generation of glyphosate-resistant soybeans

The crop area planted to conventional soybeans has decreased annually while that planted to glyphosate-resistant (RR) soybean has drastically increased mainly due to the wide adoption of glyphosate in current weed management systems. With the extensive use of glyphosate, many farmers have noted visual plant injury in RR soybean varieties after glyphosate application. A new generation designated as “second generation—RR2” has been recently developed and these RR2 cultivars already are commercially available for farmers and promoted as higher yielding relative to the previous RR cultivars. However, little information is currently available about the performance of RR2 soybean beyond commercial and farmer testimonial data. Thus, an evaluation of different glyphosate rates applied in different growth stages of the first and second generation of RR soybeans, revealed a significant decrease in photosynthesis. In general, increased glyphosate rate and late applications (V6) pronounced decrease photosynthetic parameters and consequently decreased in leaf area and shoot biomass production. In contrast, low rate and early applications were less damage for the RR soybean plants, suggesting that with early applications (V2), plants probably have more time to recover from glyphosate or its metabolites effects regarding late applications.     

Glyphosate affects lignin content and amino acid production in glyphosate-resistant soybean

Farmers report that some glyphosate-resistant soybean varieties are visually injured by glyphosate. Glyphosate is the main herbicide that directly affects the synthesis of secondary compounds. In this work, we evaluated the effect of increasing rates of glyphosate on lignin and amino acid content, photosynthetic parameters and dry biomass in the early maturity group cultivar BRS 242 GR soybean. Plants were grown in half-strength complete nutrient solution and subjected to various rates of glyphosate either as a single or in sequential applications. All parameters evaluated were affected by increasing glyphosate rates. The effects were more pronounced as glyphosate rates increased, and were more intense with a single total application than sequential applications at lower rates.     

Allantoinase from shoot tissues of soybeans

Allantoinase, catalysing the hydrolysis of allantoin to allantoic acid, was isolated from leaves and fruits of soybeans. The enzyme was only partially     

Suitability of transgenic glyphosate-resistant soybeans to green cloverworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Host plant suitability to green cloverworm, Hypena scabra (F.), was evaluated on two conventional soybean varieties (Stine 2499-0 and 2972-2) and two RoundUp Ready Soybeans (Stine 2506-4 and 2892-4) with and without exposure to glyphosate. No differences among treatments were detected on developmental time and survivorship. Developmental time from first instar to adult ranged from 24.7 to 25.5 d, and survivorship ranged from 86 to 96%. No sex bias was observed among treatments (proportion of females ranged from 0.41 to 0.50). Morphological differences were observed between sexes; males had a longer and wider thorax, longer wings, and longer body. Females had longer and wider abdomens. Although treatments did not affect size (calculated with principal component analyses), significant differences were observed between males and females. These results suggest that soybean genetic differences (between conventional varieties and analogous transgenic varieties) or plant stress (induced by glyphosate metabolization) do not affect the plant suitability to H. scabra.     

Applications of mineral nutrients to heavily N-fertilized Scots pine trees: Effects on arginine and mineral nutrient concentrations

The aim of the investigation was to study if improved nutrient status in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L) trees would be reflected in decreased concentrations of arginine in the needles. The studies trees had imbalanced mineral nutrient composition and elevated needle arginine concentrations caused by long-term fertilization with N. Concentrations of arginine and mineral nutrients in needles were followed over three consecutive years of additional fertilization with N alone or with P, K, Mg and micronutrients in combination with and without N.Analysis of needle mineral concentrations suggested that there were deficiencies only in K and Mg. The N concentration increased both in trees fertilized with N alone and in trees fertilized with N in combination with mineral nutrients. In the control treatment and in trees fertilized with mineral nutrients other than N the N concentration remained fairly constant. The highest Ca/N, K/N and P/N ratios were found in trees fertilized with mineral nutrients other than N while the lowest ratios were found in trees fertilized with N alone. Arginine concentrations in needles from trees fertilized with N alone remained at a high level throughout the experiment while arginine concentrations in trees given the other treatments decreased.The results show that the mineral nutrient balance can be improved with appropriate fertilization and that this improvement is reflected in decreasing arginine levels. Furthermore the study demonstrates that when N supply is reduced the arginine concentration also decreases also as an effect of reduced N supply per se. The study also indicates that arginine may be a better measure of the N status in pine trees than total N.     

Glyphosate and nickel differently affect photosynthesis and ethylene in glyphosate-resistant soybean plants infected by Phakopsora pachyrhizi

Nickel (Ni) and glyphosate (Gl) are able to reduce the symptoms of Asian soybean rust (ASR), caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi, in soybean. However, their combined effects on the energy balance and ethylene metabolism of soybean plants infected with this fungus has not been elucidated. Therefore, the effects of Ni, Gl, and the combination of Ni + Gl on ASR development, photosynthetic capacity, sugar concentrations, and ethylene concentrations in plants of a Gl-resistant cultivar, uninfected or infected with P. pachyrhizi, were investigated. Inoculated plants supplied with Ni had the highest foliar Ni concentration in all the treatments. Gl had a negative effect on the foliar Ni concentration in Ni-sprayed plants. The ASR severity was reduced in plants sprayed with Ni and Gl. Carotenoid and chlorophyll concentrations were higher in inoculated Ni, Gl, and Ni + Gl plants than in control plants. Based on the chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters, the photosynthetic apparatus of the control inoculated plants was damaged, and the least amount of energy was directed to the photochemistry process in these plants. The reduced capacity of the photosynthetic mechanism to capture light and use the energy absorbed by photosystem II in inoculated plants was reflected in their reduced capacity to process CO₂, as indicated by the high internal CO₂ concentrations and low rates of net carbon assimilation. The low sugar concentrations in inoculated plants from the control treatment were linked to their reduced photosynthetic capacity due to the high ASR severity. In uninfected plants, the ethylene concentration was not affected by Ni or Gl, while the ethylene concentration decreased in inoculated plants; this decrease was more pronounced in plants from the control treatment than in treated inoculated plants. In conclusion, this study sheds light on the role played by both Ni and Gl in ASR control from a physiological perspective. Soybean plants exposed to Ni and Gl were able to maintain high ethylene concentrations and photosynthetic capacity during the P. pachyrhizi infection process; as a result, these plants consumed less of their reserves than inoculated plants not treated with Ni or Gl.     

Analysis of genetic factors that control shoot mineral concentrations in rapeseed (Brassica napus) in different boron environments

Mineral nutrients are essential for plant cell function, and understanding the genetic and physiological basis of mineral concentration is therefore important for the development of nutrient-efficient crop varieties that can cope with a shortage of mineral resources. In the present study, we investigated the profiles of B, Ca, Fe, Cu, Mg, P and Zn concentrations in shoots and analyzed the genetic variation in a rapeseed (Brassica napus) double haploid population at normal and deficient boron (B) levels in hydroponic conditions. Significant correlations between the concentrations of different minerals, such as Ca and Mg, Ca and P, and Cu and Fe, existed in both B environments. A total of 35 quantitative trait loci (QTL) and 74 epistatic interaction pairs for mineral concentrations were identified by whole genome analysis of QTL and epistatic interactions. The individual phenotypic contributions of the QTL ranged from 4.4% to 19.0%, and the total percentage of genetic variance that was due to QTL and epistatic interactions varied from 10.4% to 82.4%. Most of these QTL corresponded specifically to one of the two B conditions except for one stable main-effect P-QTL across the B environments. Three QTL for Ca and Mg were found to co-localize under normal B condition. These results revealed that genetic factors control mineral homeostasis in plants and multigenes involving ion transport are required to regulate mineral balance in plants under conditions of diverse nutrient stress. In addition, 26 genes involved in ion uptake and transport in Arabidopsis thaliana were in silico mapped onto the QTL intervals of B. napus by comparative genomic analysis. These candidate orthologous genes in B. napus allowed the selection of genes involved in the controlling mineral concentration that may account for the identified QTL.     

Phylogenetic variation in the shoot mineral concentration of angiosperms

The calcium (Ca) concentration of plant shoot tissues varies systematically between angiosperm orders. The phylogenetic variation in the shoot concentration of other mineral nutrients has not yet been described at an ordinal level. The aims of this study were (1) to quantify the shoot mineral concentration of different angiosperm orders, (2) to partition the phylogenetic variation in shoot mineral concentration between and within orders, (3) to determine if the shoot concentration of different minerals are correlated across angiosperm species, and (4) to compare experimental data with published ecological survey data on 81 species sampled from their natural habitats. Species, selected pro rata from different angiosperm orders, were grown in a hydroponic system under a constant external nutrient regime. Shoots of 117 species were sampled during vegetative growth. Significant variation in shoot carbon (C), calcium (Ca), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg) concentration occurred between angiosperm orders. There was no evidence for systematic differences in shoot phosphorus (P) or organic-nitrogen (N) concentration between orders. At a species level, there were strong positive correlations between shoot Ca and Mg concentration, between shoot P and organic-N concentration, and between shoot K concentration and shoot fresh weight:dry weight ratio. Shoot C and cation concentration correlated negatively at a species level. Species within the Poales and the Caryophyllales had distinct shoot mineralogies in both the designed experiment and in the ecological survey.     

Seasonal dynamics of shoot nutrients in Schoenus ferrugineus (Cyperaceae)

Seasonal patterns of biomass and standing stock (g m⁻²) of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium were documented in Schoenus ferrugineus L. from an annually mowed calcareous fen in southern Germany. The peak standing crop of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium occurred in mid-July. Prior to the end of the growing season, 44% of total potassium, 34% of total phosphorus and 28% of total nitrogen were retranslocated out of the shoots, based on differential nutrient losses between covered and uncovered plots. There is no evidence that any calcium was retranslocated, but 24% of peak calcium and 13% of potassium was leached from standing dead shoots. More than half of the peak phosphorus was found in the overwintering green shootbases. In the light of the low availability of nutrients in the soil, retranslocation of phosphorus in particular is essential, if adequate internal nutrient levels are to be maintained, despite various proposed uptake mechanisms.     

Combination of thidiazuron and basal media with low salt concentrations increases the frequency of shoot organogenesis in soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]

A successful, efficient system for multiple soybean shoot induction of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is reported. Multiple shoots were induced from cotyledonary nodes and hypocotyl segments cultured on media supplemented with 2 mg/l thidiazuron (TDZ) or 1.15 mg/l benzyladenine (BA). It was found that TDZ induced adventitious shoots more efficiently than BA and that hypocotyl segments promoted more adventitious shoots than cotyledonary nodes. The optimal TDZ concentrations for shoot organogenesis from hypocotyl segments were between 1 and 2 mg/l. Basal media also influenced the efficiency of shoot organogenesis. The frequency of adventitious shoot formation tended to increase when the salt concentration in the basal media supplemented with 2 mg/l TDZ was reduced. Two media (1/2B5 and 1/2L2) stimulated shoot organogenesis efficiently from hypocotyl segments. This method can thus be advantageously applied in the production of transgenic soybean plants. Received: 3 July 1996 / Accepted: 9 May 1997     

Shoot Sr concentrations in relation to shoot Ca concentrations and to soil properties

This work was aimed to investigate whether shoot Sr concentrations of plant species are related to respective Ca concentrations and to soil properties and to compare the Sr-Ca observed ratios (OR), defined as the quotient of the ratios Sr/Ca in shoots and in the soil solution or in the extractable form, among species and soils. Ten pasture plant species were grown in pots (1-L volume) filled with eight soils differing in the various physicochemical characteristics. Each pot received 50 mg Sr except those of the soil with the highest cation exchange capacity (C.E.C.) that received 100 mg Sr per pot. For each soil, shoot Sr concentrations of species were linearly and positively related with the respective Ca concentrations. C.E.C, organic matter content and Ca in the soil solution or in the extractable form were the only soil properties that were related, all negatively, with shoot Sr concentrations. The ratio of extractable Sr and Ca was positively and linearly related with the ratio of Sr and Ca. in the soil solution. OR was affected by both species and soils. Most of OR values of all species in all soils ranged between 0.8 and 1.5, except for the grass Agrostis capillaris which had the highest values for most of soils. This indicates that Agrostis capillaris compared to other species, takes up proportionally more Sr than Ca.     

A novel method of supplying nutrients permits predictable shoot growth and root : shoot ratios of pre-transplant bedding plants

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Growth of bedding plants, in small peat plugs, relies on nutrients in the irrigation solution. The object of the study was to find a way of modifying the nutrient supply so that good-quality seedlings can be grown rapidly and yet have the high root : shoot ratios essential for efficient transplanting. METHODS: A new procedure was devised in which the concentrations of nutrients in the irrigation solution were modified during growth according to changing plant demand, instead of maintaining the same concentrations throughout growth. The new procedure depends on published algorithms for the dependence of growth rate and optimal plant nutrient concentrations on shoot dry weight W(s) (g m(-2)), and on measuring evapotranspiration rates and shoot dry weights at weekly intervals. Pansy, Viola tricola 'Universal plus yellow' and petunia, Petunia hybrida 'Multiflora light salmon vein' were grown in four independent experiments with the expected optimum nutrient concentration and fractions of the optimum. Root and shoot weights were measured during growth. KEY RESULTS: For each level of nutrient supply W(s) increased with time (t) in days, according to the equation DeltaW(s)/Deltat=K(2)W(s)/(100+W(s)) in which the growth rate coefficient (K(2)) remained approximately constant throughout growth. The value of K(2) for the optimum treatment was defined by incoming radiation and temperature. The value of K(2) for each sub-optimum treatment relative to that for the optimum treatment was logarithmically related to the sub-optimal nutrient supply. Provided the aerial environment was optimal, R(sb)/R(o) approximately W(o)/W(sb) where R is the root : shoot ratio, W is the shoot dry weight, and sb and o indicate sub-optimum and optimum nutrient supplies, respectively. Sub-optimal nutrient concentrations also depressed shoot growth without appreciably affecting root growth when the aerial environment was non-limiting. CONCLUSION: The new procedure can predict the effects of nutrient supply, incoming radiation and temperature on the time course of shoot growth and the root : shoot ratio for a range of growing conditions.     

Salicylate reduces serum insulin concentrations in the rat

Administration of sodium salicylate (50–500 mg/kg, i.p.) reduced serum insulin concentrations in nonfasted rats. This treatment also suppressed the rise in serum insulin that followed oral administration of glucose (by stomach tube) to fasted rats; this effect is only partly attributable to the blunted increase in serum glucose concentrations.     

Minor nutrients are critical for the improved growth of Corylus avellana shoot cultures

Many hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) cultivars fail to thrive in vitro on standard growth medium and the reasons for poor growth are not well understood. Our initial study of five C. avellana cultivars showed that changes in the mineral nutrients of Driver and Kuniyuki walnut (DKW) medium, including doubling the minor nutrients, produced improved growth and shoot quality. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of the individual minor mineral nutrients from DKW medium and if added nickel was required for optimal growth. Five factors were tested at 0.5 × to 4× DKW medium concentrations, [H₃BO₃, CuSO₄·5H₂O, MnSO₄·H₂O, Na₂MoO₄·2H₂O and Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂0], in a response surface design with 39 treatment combinations. Ni was not present in the DKW medium formulation so NiSO₄·6H₂O was varied from 0 to 6 µM. There were many significant interactions among the minor nutrients. Higher concentrations (4×) of B, Mo, and Zn increased overall shoot quality, length, and multiplication. Increased Mo improved some responses for each cultivar, and it interacted significantly with Cu and Zn. The addition of Ni greatly improved the shoot quality and length of ‘Sacajawea.’ Ni interactions were significant for the other cultivars as well, and altered the requirements for the other minor nutrients, but did not necessarily improve the overall shoot response. Improved growth and shoot quality for most cultivars required increased amounts of B, Mo, and Zn and less Mn and Cu. ‘Sacajawea’ required increased B, Cu, Zn, and Ni. All of the cultivars required minor nutrient formulations that differed greatly from DKW medium or other published minor nutrient formulations.     

Stem galls drain nutrients and decrease shoot performance in Diplusodon orbicularis (Lythraceae)

Insect galls are important nutrient sinks in the plant, ultimately affecting its reproductive success. We assessed the influence of a stem galler on the survival of plant shoots and whether these are able to concentrate nutrients in the gall’s tissues; thus testing the nutrient sink hypothesis. We measured gall sizes and nutrient concentrations in a Brazilian Cerrado plant, Diplusodon orbicularis, and its Cecidomyiidae stem galler. Galls grew larger on thicker shoots. Also, these shoots suffered smaller mortality from gall attack, while thinner shoots were commonly associated with the death of the shoot distal to the gall. Apical shoots suffered higher mortality, while basal shoots suffered lower mortality and were proportionally less attacked. Galled tissues were more nutrient rich than non-galled tissues. The nutrients P, Ca, and Mg were more concentrated inside the galls when compared to tissues in non-galled stems. Gallers also seem to be able to reduce toxic Al concentration in the plant tissues, as Al occurred in smaller concentrations inside the galls than out of them. Although stem gallers feed on tissues of low nutritional value, these are in a favourable position to intercept flowing nutrients and water. The death of small galled shoots possibly is due to the lack of essential nutrients and energy drained, or water restriction in them.     

罗汉果生长动态与叶片矿质营养的研究

对一年生罗汉果种薯苗的生长发育状况和植株体内矿质营养元素含量进行监测,结果表明,6～9月 为罗汉果植株生长速度最快时期,叶片中的N、P、K等矿质营养元素浓度的月变化则随着生长发育的进程而 变化,其中N的浓度变化有两个峰点,分别在5月、7月,P、K的浓度变化最高点分别在6月、7月,N、P和K 的浓度变化最低点分别在11月、10月。相关分析表明,罗汉果植株的月生长总量及各级侧蔓的月生长量与叶 片中的N、P、K含量变化有显著的负相关关系。因此,要提高罗汉果产量,施肥的重点应放在5～9月。6月 以前以有机肥、磷肥为主,施以适量速效性氮肥,10月以后应根据植株的生长状况和叶片中N、P、K含量,施 用适量的N、P、K肥,防止早衰。