Plant growth under water/salt stress: ROS production; antioxidants and significance of added potassium under such conditions

Plants are confronted with a variety of environmenmtal stresses resulting in enhanced production of ROS. Plants require a threshold level of ROS for vital functions and any change in their concentration alters the entire physiology of plant. Delicate balance of ROS is maintained by an efficient functioning of intriguing indigenous defence system called antioxidant system comprising enzymatic and non enzymatic components. Down regulation of antioxidant system leads to ROS induced oxidative stress causing damage to important cellular structures and hence anomalies in metabolism. Proper mineral nutrition, in addition to other agricultural practices, forms an important part for growth and hence the yield. Potassium (K) is a key macro-element regulating growth and development through alterations in physiological and biochemical attributes. K has been reported to result into accumulation of osmolytes and augmentation of antioxidant components in the plants exposed to water and salt stress. In the present review an effort has been made to revisit the old findings and the current advances in research regarding the role of optimal, suboptimal and deficient K soil status on growth under normal and stressful conditions. Effect of K deficiency and sufficiency is discussed and the information about the K mediated antioxidant regulation and plant response is highlighted.     

Exogenously applied ascorbic acid ameliorates detrimental effects of NaCl and mannitol stress in Vicia faba seedlings

The adverse effects of either NaCl or mannitol on growth, nitrogen content, and antioxidant system in Vicia faba seedlings were investigated. The role of exogenous ascorbic acid in increasing resistance to these stressors was also evaluated. Thus, with an increase in concentration of either NaCl or mannitol in culture media, a progressively greater significant decrease in percentage germination, in growth parameters, and in nitrogen constituents of the germinating beans, was observed. On the other hand, amide-, nitrate-, and total soluble-N contents appeared to show a progressive significant increase. Exogenous addition of ascorbic acid (4 mM) to the stressful media induced a pronounced significantly increased percentage germination and the growth attributes, whereas nitrogen constituents were variably changed in relation to values maintained in beans treated with either NaCl or mannitol. Furthermore, exogenous addition of ascorbic acid to NaCl or mannitol media induced a significant increase in the contents of ascorbate and glutathione and enzymatic antioxidant activities, in particular, in beans treated with the three highest concentrations of NaCl or mannitol, throughout the period of the experiments (12 days). Thus, ascorbic acid ameliorates the adverse effects of the stressful media; the magnitude of amelioration being a function of the type and the concentration of the stressful agent as well as of the duration of treatment. The importance of the above-mentioned changes in growth and metabolism to stress tolerance in broad bean is discussed.     

Nutritional interrelationships of electrolytes and amino acids

Evidence for interactions between amino acid and electrolyte metabolism is reviewed. Variations in dietary sodium, potassium, and chloride concentrations affect acid-base balance and also influence the severity of the lysine-arginine antagonism. High dietary levels of Na and K salts of metabolizable organic acids alleviate, whereas excessive dietary chloride exacerbates, the antagonism. Potassium deficiency causes depletion of intracellular potassium and increased intracellular accumulation of basic amino acids. These variations in electrolytes, which alter acid-base balance, also influence the metabolism of glutamic acid and the excretion of nitrogen. It is hypothesized that basic amino acids as well as glutamic acid and glutamine may have an important role in metabolic regulation of acid-base balance.     

Metabolic flux analysis in Streptomyces coelicolor under various nutrient limitations

Metabolic flux analysis was applied to Streptomyces coelicolor continuous culture data obtained under nitrogen, phosphate, sulfate, and potassium limitations. The metabolic reaction network involved more than 200 reactions describing the major pathways as well as the secondary metabolism for the production of actinorhodin and excretion of certain metabolites. Linear programming was used for the optimization of specific growth rates and energy requirements. Two types of specific growth rates, stoichiometric and theoretical, were defined, maximized, and compared in order to investigate the microbial potential. Potassium limitation led to the largest and nitrogen limitation to the smallest difference between the stoichiometric and theoretical specific growth rates. Although the value of the maximum theoretical specific growth rate was close to that of the experimental specific growth rate with potassium limitation, this difference was the largest in the case of nitrogen limitation. Energy requirements during different nutrient limitations were also investigated. The model indicated that although the highest actinorhodin production rate was with nitrogen limitation, this was accompanied with the undesired excretion of certain metabolites.     

Effects of potassium deficiency and replacement of potassium by sodium on sugar beet plants

Two sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) genotypes were cultivated at different K⁺/Na⁺ concentration in nutrient solutions (mM, 3/0 (control groups), 0.03/2.97 (K-Na replacement groups), and 0.03/0 (K deficiency groups)) to investigate the effects of potassium deficiency and replacement of potassium by sodium on plant growth and to explore how sodium can compensate for a lack of potassium. After 22 days of growth were determined: (i) dry weights of leaves, stems, and roots, (ii) the Na⁺ and K⁺ contents, (iii) MDA level, (iv) the activities of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and (v) the level of free amino acids. Potassium deficit inhibited plant growth, decreased the K⁺ content in leaves and roots, activated GPX and SOD, suppressed CAT activity, and increased the content of most amino acids. In K-Na replacement groups, the effects of K⁺ deficiency, including changes in the MDA level, antioxidant enzyme activities, and the level of free amino acids, were alleviated, but the degree of recovery did not reach the values characteristic for the control groups. Based on these results, we concluded that low potassium could lead to the inhibition of seedling growth, oxidative damage, and amino acid accumulation. While sodium was able to substitute potassium to a large extent, it cannot fulfil potassium fundamental role as an essential nutrient in sugar beet.     

Alleviation of water and osmotic stress-induced changes in nitrogen metabolizing enzymes in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L. cultivars by potassium

Present communication reports laboratory and pot experiments conducted to study the influence of water and osmotic stress on nitrogen uptake and metabolism in two wheat (Triticum aestivum L) cultivars with and without potassium supplementation. Polyethylene glycol 6000-induced osmotic stress/restricted irrigation caused a considerable decline in the activity of nitrate reductase, glutamate synthase, alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, and glutamate dehydrogenase. Potassium considerably improved nitrogen metabolism under normal water supply conditions and also resulted in amelioration of the negative impact of water and osmotic stresses indicating that potassium supplementation can be used as a potential tool for enhancing the nitrogen use efficiency in wheat for exploiting its genetic potential.     

腐植酸钾对生姜根系生长发育及活性氧代谢的影响

采用池栽试验方法研究了腐植酸钾对生姜根系生长发育及活性氧代谢的影响.结果表明：施用腐植酸钾显著地提高了生姜根系鲜质量和根系活力,促进了根系的生长发育,尤其在生育后期表现明显.施用腐植酸钾明显地提高了生育后期根系的超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化物酶和过氧化氢酶活性,降低了膜脂过氧化产物丙二醛含量,延缓了根系衰老.根系的可溶性蛋白质含量分别比空白对照、等量腐植酸和等量氧化钾对照增加49.18%、25.89%和13.26%,生姜产量分别增加61.29%、48.13%和9.92%.     

KefF, the regulatory subunit of the potassium efflux system KefC, shows quinone oxidoreductase activity

Escherichia coli and many other Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria protect themselves from the toxic effects of electrophilic compounds by using a potassium efflux system (Kef). Potassium efflux is coupled to the influx of protons, which lowers the internal pH and results in immediate protection. The activity of the Kef system is subject to complex regulation by glutathione and its S conjugates. Full activation of KefC requires a soluble ancillary protein, KefF. This protein has structural similarities to oxidoreductases, including human quinone reductases 1 and 2. Here, we show that KefF has enzymatic activity as an oxidoreductase, in addition to its role as the KefC activator. It accepts NADH and NADPH as electron donors and quinones and ferricyanide (in addition to other compounds) as acceptors. However, typical electrophilic activators of the Kef system, e.g., N-ethyl maleimide, are not substrates. If the enzymatic activity is disrupted by site-directed mutagenesis while retaining structural integrity, KefF is still able to activate the Kef system, showing that the role as an activator is independent of the enzyme activity. Potassium efflux assays show that electrophilic quinones are able to activate the Kef system by forming S conjugates with glutathione. Therefore, it appears that the enzymatic activity of KefF diminishes the redox toxicity of quinones, in parallel with the protection afforded by activation of the Kef system.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can contribute to maintain antioxidant and carbon metabolism in nodules of Anthyllis cytisoides L. subjected to drought

The symbiosis legume-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi-nitrogen fixing bacteria is of relevant interest in Mediterranean regions where Anthyllis cytisoides L. grows. In these areas, nitrogen is one of the nutrients that most limits plant growth. In addition, the long periods of water deficit decrease the diffusion rate of phosphorus and, consequently, also decrease the biological nitrogen fixation. It is well known that mycorrhizal fungi can improve phosphorus uptake and, recently, some authors have found that antioxidant activities in mycorrhizal plants can delay drought-induced nodule senescence. The objective of our work was to evaluate weather mycorrhizal fungi could preserve the nodule metabolism in A. cytisoides subjected to drought. Results showed that a low soil water content associated with an enhancement of soil compaction accelerated the senescence of nodules in both non-mycorrhizal and mycorrhizal plants. However, while total soluble protein, leghaemoglobin (Lb) content, as well as carbon and antioxidant metabolism significantly decreased in nodules from non-mycorrhizal A. cytisoides subjected to drought, nodules from stressed mycorrhizal plants maintained Lb levels, showed greater rates of carbon metabolism, and exhibited higher enzymatic activities related to the removal of reactive oxygen species. In addition to the greater activity of antioxidant enzymes, other mechanisms related or unrelated to enhanced nodule water status could also be implied in the better nodule functioning observed in mycorrhizal plants under stressful conditions.     

Durum wheat seedling responses to simultaneous high light and salinity involve a fine reconfiguration of amino acids and carbohydrate metabolism

Durum wheat plants are extremely sensitive to drought and salinity during seedling and early development stages. Their responses to stresses have been extensively studied to provide new metabolic targets and improving the tolerance to adverse environments. Most of these studies have been performed in growth chambers under low light [300–350 µmol m^?2 s^?1 photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), LL]. However, in nature plants have to face frequent fluctuations of light intensities that often exceed their photosynthetic capacity (900–2000 µmol m^?2 s^?1). In this study we investigated the physiological and metabolic changes potentially involved in osmotic adjustment and antioxidant defense in durum wheat seedlings under high light (HL) and salinity. The combined application of the two stresses decreased the water potential and stomatal conductance without reducing the photosynthetic efficiency of the plants. Glycine betaine (GB) synthesis was inhibited, proline and glutamate content decreased, while γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA), amides and minor amino acids increased. The expression level and enzymatic activities of Δ1‐pyrroline‐5‐carboxylate synthetase, asparagine synthetase and glutamate decarboxylase, as well as other enzymatic activities of nitrogen and carbon metabolism, were analyzed. Antioxidant enzymes and metabolites were also considered. The results showed that the complex interplay seen in durum wheat plants under salinity at LL was simplified: GB and antioxidants did not play a main role. On the contrary, the fine tuning of few specific primary metabolites (GABA, amides, minor amino acids and hexoses) remodeled metabolism and defense processes, playing a key role in the response to simultaneous stresses.     

Interactive influence of arsenate and selenate on growth and nitrogen metabolism in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings

The effect of arsenate and selenate, either alone or in combination, on plant growth and nitrogen metabolism was studied in wheat seedlings. The root-shoot elongation and the biomass production were significantly decreased with increasing arsenate concentrations. Arsenate toxicity severely affected activities of different antioxidant scavenging enzymes and oxidative stress markers in the test seedlings. The activities of nitrate and nitrite reductase were also affected resulting in reduced nitrate and nitrite contents. Glutamine synthetase and glutamate synthase activities were also reduced, whereas the glutamate dehydrogenase activity was substantially increased resulting in an increased accumulation of ammonium contents in the test seedlings. Arsenate treatments also adversely affected the levels of total and soluble nitrogen contents and free amino acid contents. Combined application of arsenate with selenate in the test seedlings showed significant alterations in all parameters tested under the purview of arsenate treatment alone leading to better growth and nitrogen metabolism.     

Studies in the mineral nutrition of Japanese mint

Summary Potassium deficiency resulted in a increased accumulation of total phosphorus, inorganic phosphorus and sugar phosphate which suggested some interference in phosphorus metabolism predominantly beyond the sugar phosphate synthesis stage. Roots appeared to be a reservoir for accumulation of various phosphorus fractions of Japanese mint (Mentha arvensis L. var.piperascens).A higher respiration rate under potassium deficiency might be one of the factors to retard the inclusion of inorganic phosphorus into structural components, resulting in poor formation of organophosphorus compounds needed for plant growth and development. In spite of an increased essential oil content (ml/100 g dry weight) in a phosphorus deficient situation, total essential oil production (ml/plant) was low. Foliage growth, essential oil content and respiration was higher between 60 to 80 days and seemed to be associated with a high intensity of enzymatic and metabolic activity, as observed in various phosphorus fractions rising to a very high value after 80 days of crop growth.     

Effect of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium Additions on Plant Biomass and Soil Nutrient Content of a Swale Barrier Strand Community in Louisiana

Fertilization of a swale plant community with various levelsand combinations of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium resultedin increased plant growth. Nitrogen addition produced the greatestincrease in biomass. At some high nitrogen levels, phosphoruslimited plant production. Potassium fertilization did not influenceplant growth. Phosphorus fertilization decreased the levelsof soil calcium, magnesium and manganese. A shore-perpendiculargradient in apparent saltwater inundation influenced soil pHand the concentrations of iron, phosphorus, and magnesium. Fertilizer effects, swale Scirpus americanus, Spartina patens, nitrogen limitation     

A nitrate-ethanol synthetic accumulation medium for isolating Pseudomonas aeruginosa from the water of surface reservoirs and sewage

A synthetic accumulation medium containing ethanol as the source of carbon and energy and potassium nitrate as the source of nitrogen is proposed. Potassium nitrate, serving as electron acceptor for P. aeruginosa, ensures its growth under anaerobic conditions, which enhances the selective properties of the medium. Comparison with Bonde citrate synthetic medium, broth with malachite green and glucose-peptone medium has shown the advantages of the proposed medium.     

外源24-表油菜素内酯对高温胁迫下茄子幼苗生长和抗氧化系统的影响

本文研究了高温胁迫下外源24-表油菜素内酯（EBR）对茄子幼苗生长和抗氧化系统的影响。结果表明,外源EBR处理显著促进了高温胁迫下茄子幼苗生长,提高了SOD、POD、CAT和APXS活性,AsA和GSH含量及可溶性蛋白和脯氨酸含量,降低了MDA、O2^-及H2O含量。表明,外源EBR处理通过促进高温胁迫下茄子幼苗抗氧化酶活性、抗氧化剂含量及渗透调节物质的提高,降低ROS水平,缓解高温胁迫对茄子幼苗生长的抑制作用,增强植株抗高温胁迫的能力。     

Physiology of pepper fruit and the metabolism of antioxidants: chloroplasts,mitochondria and peroxisomes

Background and Aims Pepper (Capsicum annuum) contains high levels of antioxidants, such as vitamins A and C and flavonoids. However, information on the role of these beneficial compounds in the physiology of pepper fruit remains scarce. Recent studies have shown that antioxidants in ripe pepper fruit play a key role in responses to temperature changes, and the redox state at the time of harvest affects the nutritional value for human consumption. In this paper, the role of antioxidant metabolism of pepper fruit during ripening and in the response to low temperature is addressed, paying particular attention to ascorbate, NADPH and the superoxide dismutase enzymatic system. The participation of chloroplasts, mitochondria and peroxisomes in the ripening process is also investigated.Scope and Results Important changes occur at a subcellular level during ripening of pepper fruit. Chloroplasts turn into chromoplasts, with drastic conversion of their metabolism, and the role of the ascorbate–glutathione cycle is essential. In mitochondria from red fruits, higher ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and Mn-SOD activities are involved in avoiding the accumulation of reactive oxygen species in these organelles during ripening. Peroxisomes, whose antioxidant capacity at fruit ripening is substantially affected, display an atypical metabolic pattern during this physiological stage. In spite of these differences observed in the antioxidative metabolism of mitochondria and peroxisomes, proteomic analysis of these organelles, carried out by 2-D electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF/TOF and provided here for the first time, reveals no changes between the antioxidant metabolism from immature (green) and ripe (red) fruits.Conclusions Taken together, the results show that investigation of molecular and enzymatic antioxidants from cell compartments, especially chloroplasts, mitochondria and peroxisomes, is a useful tool to study the physiology of pepper fruit, particularly in the context of expanding their shelf-life after harvest and in maintaining their nutritional value.     

Seasonal pattern of antioxidant enzyme system in the roots of perennial forage grasses grown in alpine habitat, related to freezing tolerance

The relationship between active oxygen species (AOS) and membrane damage, and between antioxidant enzyme activity and chilling tolerance has been documented, but the mechanisms responsible for perennial forage grass to survive winter with temperatures at ?30°C in temperate alpine regions is not well understood. In this study, the seasonal pattern of enzymatic antioxidant systems superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1), catalase (EC 1.11.1.6), peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7), ascorbate peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.11) and lipid peroxidation in roots and leaves of alpine perennial grasses grown in their natural environment were investigated to understand the role of the enzymatic antioxidant system in freezing tolerance of perennial grasses. Four grasses, Poa sphyondylodes Trine., Bromus inermis Leyss., Bromus sinensis Keng. and Elymus nutans Griseb., were established in alpine conditions in 1993. The grasses were sampled at approximately semi‐monthly intervals in the autumn of 1995 and spring of 1996. The results showed that leaves were dead in the autumn and membrane damage seems to play a key role in the decline of this organ. Antioxidant enzyme activities of the roots strongly changed with declining temperature in the autumn and winter or increasing temperature in the spring. With the decrease in temperature in the autumn the antioxidant enzyme activities increased rapidly, reaching maximum values in early November and then slowly declining during the following winter period, although they were still higher than in September In the spring, antioxidant enzymes activities increased again in the roots with the rise of temperature from mid April to early May when the shoots began re‐growth. In contrast, thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances content in the roots increased markedly in the autumn, reaching maximum values in early October and remaining constant with little fluctuation during the following winter. In the autumn when the roots experienced winter acclimation, the formation of freezing tolerance in the roots was correlated with the activities of the antioxidant enzyme, indicating that antioxidant activity systems in the roots played an important role in limiting the production of free radicals to protect membrane integrity. Freezing tolerance in alpine grasses correlated with an increased capacity to scavenge or detoxify activated AOS by the antioxidant enzymatic system. AOS accumulated with decreasing temperature in early cold acclimation may be an inducer in activating the antioxidant enzyme defence system for the formation of freezing tolerance in roots.     

外源钾水平对长春花生长和生物碱积累的影响

钾营养对于植物的生长发育具有重要作用,通过对长春花施以不同水平的外源钾,以探讨在不同浓度的钾素营养条件下,长春花生物量和生物碱的积累特点。结果表明,外源钾素营养水平的增加显著促进长春花的株高、根长、生物量积累,其中以10和15 mmol·L^-1浓度下的作用效果最显著。同时,外源的钾素营养水平提高还显著增加长春花的吲哚类生物碱含量,其中长春质碱的含量随着钾素营养浓度增大而增加;文多灵和长春碱随着钾素营养浓度增大都是先增加后减小,在15 mmol·L^-1浓度下达到最大值,过高的钾素营养不利于两者的合成。     

Oxidative stress correction by nicotinamide and nicotynol-GABA in diabetic neuropathy

Concentration of lipid peroxidation products and antioxidant enzyme activities in rat brain and erythrocytes and the effects of nicotinamide and nicotinoyl-GABA administration on these parameters were estimated on 21st day of streptozotocin-induced diabetes. It was demonstrated more then two-fold diabetes-induced accumulation of conjugated dienes and malondialdehyde in tissues studied. Superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase activities of both brain homogenate and erythrocytes as well as catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities of brain homogenate were shown to decrease significantly in diabetic rats, meanwhile, catalase activity of erythrocytes was increased and glutathione peroxidase unchanged. So the correlation between changes in enzymatic antioxidant system in brain and erythocytes failed to be found. Alterations observed were virtually prevented by the course of nicotinamide and nicotinoyl-GABA treatment. The results suggested that the suppression of antioxidant system could be primary biochemical disturbance in diabetic neuropathy progression. It was shown that the antioxidant efficacy of nicotinoyl-GABA is lower than that of nicotinamide. It was suggested that the mechanism of antioxidant action of nicotinamide and its structural analogue consists of both scavenging of lipid peroxides and NAD biosynthesis that leads to activation and normalization of altered energy and lipid metabolism.