Salt-induced modulation in growth,photosynthesis and antioxidant system in two varieties of Brassica juncea

The present study was carried out to examine salt-induced modulation in growth, photosynthetic characteristics and antioxidant system in two cultivars of Brassica juncea Czern and Coss varieties (Varuna and RH-30). The surface sterilized seeds of these varieties were sown in the soil amended with different levels (2.8, 4.2 or 5.6 dsm⁻¹) of sodium chloride under a simple randomized block design. The salt treatment significantly decreased growth, net photosynthetic rate and its related attributes, chlorophyll fluorescence, SPAD value of chlorophyll, leaf carbonic anhydrase activity and leaf water potential, whereas electrolyte leakage, proline content, and activity of catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase enzymes increased in both the varieties at 30 d stage of growth. The variety Varuna was found more resistant than RH-30 to the salt stress and possessed higher values for growth, photosynthetic attributes and antioxidant enzymes. Out of the graded concentrations (2.8, 4.2 or 5.6 dsm⁻¹) of sodium chloride, 2.8 sm⁻¹ was least toxic and 5.6 dsm⁻¹ was most harmful. The variation in the responses of these two varieties to salt stress is attributed to their differential photosynthetic traits, SPAD chlorophyll value and antioxidant capacity, which can be used as potential markers for screening mustard plants for salt tolerance.     

Effect of water stress on the enzymes of nitrate metabolism in two Brassica species

Brassica juncea (drought susceptible) and B. campestris (drought tolerant) were germinated under simulated water stress created by polyethylene glycol (MW 6000). The two species showed characteristic differences in dry weight, nitrate reductase, aspartate amino transferase, alanine aminotransferase, glutamate dehydrogenase and free proline accumulation in the embryo axis under water stress. Stress resulted in the decreased activities of these enzymes and the decrease was more in B. juncea than in B. campestris. In both species, protein content was higher under stress. In B. juncea, a 12-fold increase in free proline occurred as compared to a 7-fold increase in B. campestris at ?6 atm osmotic potential.     

Drought susceptibility of two tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) varieties

The effects of three levels of moisture under greenhouse conditions and also identical moisture levels under field conditions, on the growth yield and water relations of two tomato cultivars, Fireball and Ife I, were investigated. The objective was to ascertain the drought susceptibility of these two tomato cultivars. The cultivar, Ife I, was more drought susceptible than Fireball and the drought susceptibility increased with the level of soil water stress. The drought tolerance, of Fireball is attributed to a lower leaf area, better root system development in terms of average root length and rooting depth, and a higher leaf water potential. The higher leaf stomatal resistances of Fireball variety suggest an inbuilt mechanism to regulate water vapour flow in times of stress.     

Activity of antioxidant enzymes in response to cadmium in Crotalaria juncea

The aromatic amine, -phenethylamine, was identified in various field-grown leguminous plants by analyses with HPLC, GC, GC-MS and ¹H-NMR. High concentration of -phenethylamine was generally detected only in mature root nodules, but not in other plant organs such as root, stem, leaf, pod and grain. Occurrence was specific to the root nodules formed by Bradyrhizobium infection. Ten of eleven legume crops including soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.], adzuki bean (Vigna angularis), mung bean [V. radiata (L.) Wilczek] and cowpea (V. unguiculata) contained this aromatic amine, but groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) also nodulated by Bradyrhizobium sp. did not. Root nodules collected from garden pea (Pisum sativum L.), broad bean (Vicia fava L.), kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and various other herbaceous legumes nodulated by Rhizobium sp., Mesorhizobium sp., Sinorhizobium sp. or Azorhizobium caulinodans, and root-nodulated, woody non-legumes, nodulated by Frankia spp., contained little -phenethylamine.The amount of -phenethylamine in Bradyrhizobium-infected nodules varied with the legume species and their cultivars, and most significantly, with nodule age. In field-grown soybean plants, nodule -phenethylamine attained maximum concentration at the flowering stage and far exceeded that of the major polyamines of soybean nodules, putrescine and spermidine.     

Effect of potassium on growth and nitrate reductase during water stress and recovery in maize

Abstract The effect of potassium (0,50, 100 and 200 mg/pot) was studied on growth characteristics and nitrate reductase activity in maize (Zea mays) seedlings during water stress and subsequent recovery. In irrigated plants K⁺ increased the rate of leaf area expansion, leading to increased leaf area per plant. Increased leaf area was associated with decreased chlorophyll content. Water stress (–15 bars) enhanced the stomatal resistance of leaves which was further accentuated by K⁺ application. Nitrate reductase activity rose in irrigated plants 24 h after K⁺ application. Subsequently, as water stress developed, K⁺ helped to maintain higher NR activity for the first two days. However, K⁺ had no effect on half life of NR in light or darkness. During recovery from stress K⁺ aided to maintain the higher leaf expansion rate, the chlorophyll content and the stomatal resistance. The results above are discussed in relation to the ability of K⁺ to maintain better growth under water stress.     

Effect of water deficit on the PSII photochemical phases in two olive trees varieties

The effect of the water deficit, on two olive tree varieties 'Chetoui' and 'Chemlali' at the level of photosystem II photochemistry (PSII) was studied through the following parameters: leaf water potential (Psi(Hb)), quantum yield of PSII (PhiPSII), maximum quantum yield of PSII (Phi(max) PSII), electron transfer rate (J(T)) and photochemical quenching (qP). The results obtained show a reduction in the leaf water potential and a decrease in quantum efficiency of PSII. Besides, electron transfer rate and photochemical quenching showed an increase in response to water deficit. These modifications present some differences according to the variety. These observations are discussed in relation to the strategies developed to grow drought-resistant olive trees in arid areas.     

Effect of drought on enzymes and free proline in rice varieties

Drought tolerant rice variety TKM-1 and susceptible variety Improved Sabarmati (I.S.) showed characteristic differences in peroxidase, RNase, nitrate r     

Comprehensive analysis of the Brassica juncea root proteome in response to cadmium exposure by complementary proteomic approaches

Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) is known to both accumulate and tolerate high levels of heavy metals from polluted soils. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the effect of cadmium (Cd) treatment on B. juncea roots, two quantitative proteomics approaches – fluorescence two‐dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2‐D DIGE) and multiplexed isobaric tagging technology (iTRAQ) – were implemented. Several proteins involved in sulfur assimilation, redox homeostasis, and xenobiotic detoxification were found to be up‐regulated. Multiple proteins involved in protein synthesis and processing were down‐regulated. While the two proteomics approaches identified different sets of proteins, the proteins identified in both datasets are involved in similar biological processes. We show that 2‐D DIGE and iTRAQ results are complementary, that the data obtained independently using the two techniques validate one another, and that the quality of iTRAQ results depends on both the number of biological replicates and the number of sample injections. This study determined the involvement of enzymes such as peptide methionine sulfoxide reductase and 2‐nitropropane dioxygenase in alternatives redox‐regulation mechanisms, as well as O‐acetylserine sulfhydrylase, glutathione‐S‐transferase and glutathione‐conjugate membrane transporter, as essential players in the Cd hyperaccumation and tolerance of B. juncea.     

Effect of salicylic acid on salinity-induced changes in Brassica juncea

Seeds of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.et Coss.) were exposed to 0,50,100 and 150 mmol/L NaCl for 8h and seeds were sown in an earthen pot.These stressed seedlings were subsequently sprayed with 10 μrnol/L salicylic acid (SA) at 30 d and were sampled at 60 d to assess the changes in growth,photosynthesis and antioxidant enzymes.The seedlings raised from the seeds treated with NaCl had significantly reduced growth and the activities of carbonic anhydrase,nitrate reductase and photosynthesis,and the decrease was proportional to the increase in NaCl concentration.However,the antioxidant enzymes (catalase,peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) and proline content was enhanced in response to NaCl and/or SA treatment,where their interaction had an additive effect.Moreover,the toxic effects generated by the lower concentration of NaCl (50 mmol/L) were completely overcome by the application of SA.It was,therefore,concluded that SA ameliorated the stress generated by NaCl through the alleviated antioxidant system.     

Distribution of cadmium and lead in a stream ecosystem

Cadmium and lead were detected in all components of the stream that were examined. Cadmium was present in similar concentrations in both fishes and sediments. Aquatic insects, however, exhibited higher concentrations of cadmium than did sediments. Lead concentrations in sediments and aquatic insects were similar, but higher than concentrations in fishes. Snails contained the highest level of lead and had noticeably greater amounts of the metal than did aquatic insects. In general, concentrations of both metals increased successively from water to fish to sediments to aquatic invertebrates.     

Effect of cadmium on antioxidant status in alloxane-induced diabetic rats

Fifty-two healthy Swiss Male Albino rats aged two mo were used in this study. They were divided into four groups: control (C), diabetic (D), cadmium (Cd), and diabetic+Cd (D+Cd) groups. Diabetic condition was induced in D and D+Cd groups by administration of alloxane (5 mg/100 g). After this treatment, CD and D+Cd groups were injected with CdCl₂ ip (2 mg/kg/wk). At the end of the 2-mo experimental period, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), plasma and erythrocyte selenium (SE), plasma ceruloplasmin (Cp), and vitamin E (vit E) were determined in four groups of rats. The erythrocyte Se was lower in the experimental groups than in the controls. Plasma Se was significantly decreased in the D and D+Cd groups compared with the control group. Plasma Cp was unaltered. Plasma vit E was significantly decreased in Cd group in comparison with the C, D, and D+Cd groups.     

Effect of applied nitrate on growth and N2-fixation inCicer arietinum L.

Summary Application of nitrate, either weekly or at the time of nodulation and pod-filling, significantly retarded nodule development and exerted a delay effect on the rate of N₂-fixating. However, after a certain period of time, its effect on nitrogenase became less conspicuous. Nitrate enhanced nitrate reductase activity in leaves as well as in nodules. At the initial stages, nitrate treated plants accumulated dry mass at a higher rate than those growing exclusively on atmospheric nitrogen. Nitrate induced premature senescence of plants towards the final stages of growth and lowered both the seed number per plant as well as weight of individual seed.     

Photosynthetic activity, pigment composition and antioxidative response of two mustard (Brassica juncea) cultivars differing in photosynthetic capacity subjected to cadmium stress

Photosynthetic performance, contents of chlorophyll and associated pigments, cellular damage and activities of antioxidative enzymes were investigated in two mustard (Brassica juncea L.) cultivars differing in photosynthetic capacity subjected to cadmium (Cd) stress. Exposure to Cd severely restricted the net photosynthetic rate (P(N)) of RH-30 compared to Varuna. This corresponded to the reductions in the activities of carbonic anhydrase (CA) and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (Rubisco) in both the cultivars. Decline in chlorophyll (Chl) (a+b) and Chl a content was observed but decrease in Chl b was more conspicuous in Varuna under Cd treatments, which was responsible for higher Chl a:b ratio. Additionally, the relative amount of anthocyanin remained higher in Varuna compared to RH-30 even in the presence of high Cd concentration, while percent pheophytin content increased in RH-30 at low Cd concentration. A higher concentration of Cd (100 mg Cd kg(-1) soil) resulted in elevated hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) content in both the cultivars. However, Varuna exhibited lower content of H(2)O(2) in comparison to RH-30. This was reflected in the increased cellular damage in RH-30, expressed by greater thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content and electrolyte leakage. The enhanced activities of antioxidative enzymes, ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR) and also lower activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in Varuna alleviated Cd stress and protected the photosynthetic activity.     

Antioxidant defense system responses and role of nitrate reductase in the redox balance maintenance in Bradyrhizobium japonicum strains exposed to cadmium

In this work, we evaluated the effects of cadmium (Cd) on the antioxidant defense system responses and the role of nitrate reductase (NR) in the redox balance maintenance in Bradyrhizobium japonicum strains. For that, B. japonicum USDA110 and its NR defective mutant strain (GRPA1) were used. Results showed that the addition of 10 μM Cd did not modify the aerobic growth of the wild type strain while the mutant strain was strongly affected. Anaerobic growth revealed that only the parental strain was able to grow under this condition. Cd reduced drastically the NR activity in B. japonicum USDA110 and increased lipid peroxide content in both strains. Cd decreased reduced glutathione (GSH)/oxidized glutathione (GSSG) ratio in B. japonicum USDA110 although, a significant increased was observed in the mutant GRPA1. GSH-related enzymes were induced by Cd, being more evident the increase in the mutant strain. This different behavior observed between strains suggests that NR enzyme plays an important role in the redox balance maintenance in B. japonicum USDA 110 exposed to Cd.     

Effect of hardness on bioavailability and toxicity of cadmium to rainbow trout

Abstract

Water quality characteristics affecting toxicity of metals to aquatic life include pH, inorganic and organic ligands (negatively charged ions and molecules), and water hardness. Ligands control the ability of natural waters to bind metals which could adversely affect aquatic life. Bioavailability of metals in natural waters is primarily controlled by alkalinity. Hardness does not affect metal complexation but can reduce acute toxicity through antagonistic mechanisms. In most natural waters, concentrations of alkalinity and hardness are similar, but they may be very different in some waters.

Most toxicity studies have not distinguished between reduced toxicity resulting from effects of hardness and that resulting from complexation of metals by ligands. A series of acute and long-term experiments were conducted to assess these relationships while exposing rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to cadmium (Cd) in waters of low alkalinity (30 mg L^?1) and hardnesses of 400, 200, and 50 mg L^?1 adjusted with magnesium sulfate (MgSO⁴). These tests did not show a strong antagonistic influence of Mg hardness on Cd toxicity. At Mg hardnesses of 50, 200, and 400 mg L^?1, 96-h LC50s were 3.02, 6.12, and 5.70 μg Cd L^?1, differing by a factor of only 1.8. Similarly, chronic values derived from 100-day experiments in waters with the same range of hardness were 1.47, 3.57, and 3.64 μg L^?1, respectively. With an eight-fold difference in Mg hardness, chronic values differed by a factor of only 2.5. Antagonistic properties of hardness are primarily controlled by Ca with Mg playing a minor role. The long-term role of Ca in reducing metal toxicity will require further investigation.     

Effects of cadmium and lead on ferric chelate reductase activities in sugar beet roots

The effects of the heavy metals Cd and Pb on the activity of the enzyme ferric chelate reductase (FC-R, E.C. 1.6.99.13) have been studied in excised sugar beet root tips. The activity of this enzyme is markedly increased by iron deficiency. Metals were used as chloride salts or chelated with EDTA, and chemical speciation was carried out to predict the metal chemical species in equilibrium both in the ferric reductase assay and in the nutrient solutions. Three different heavy metal treatments were used. First, effects of Cd and Pb on the functioning of the FC-R were assessed in Fe-deficient plants, by including metals in the enzyme assay medium only. Results indicate that 50 μM CdCl₂ or Cd-EDTA did not affect FC-R activities even when assay time was as long as 2 h, whereas Pb slightly decreased enzyme activity only at concentrations of 2 mM. Second, short-time Cd and Pb pre-treatments (30–60 min) were imposed on intact Fe-deficient plants before carrying out the assay of FC-R activity. These short-term treatments induced significant decreases in the FC-R activities previously induced by Fe deficiency. With Cd, effects were more pronounced at higher concentrations, and they were stronger when Cd was in the free ion form than when present in the form of Cd-EDTA chelate. Third, prolonged Cd and Pb treatments were imposed on plants grown on 45 μM Fe-EDTA to assess the long-term effects of heavy metals on the induction of the FC-R enzyme. These long-term heavy metal treatments caused a significant increase in the root FC-R activities, indicating that Cd and Pb induce a deficiency in Fe in sugar beet that in turn elicits FC-R activity. The increases, however, are not as large as those found in total absence of Fe.     

Influence of cadmium on the production of γ-glutamylcysteine peptides and enzymes of nitrogen assimilation in Zea mays seedlings

We examined the effect of cadmium (Cd) additions on a GDH1-null line of maize and its wild-type isogenic sibling. Addition of Cd increases the synthesis of metallothioneines which are glutamate- and cysteine-rich peptides. We predicted a reduced synthesis of γ-glutamylcysteine (γEC) peptides in the mutant relative to the wild type if glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) was limiting the drainage of carbon from the tricar-boxylic acid cycle (TCAC). In our experiments there were similar increases in levels of γEC peptides in both mutant and wild-type seedlings in response to Cd. There was a marked increase in the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPcase) polypeptide and in one of the polypeptide bands of glutamine synthetase in both mutant and wild-type seedlings. However, no change was seen in the polypeptide levels of GDH or glutamate synthase (GOGAT). Thus, in contrast to PEPcase, an enhanced carbon drain from the TCAC in response to Cd exposure does not require enhanced levels of either GDH or GOGAT polypeptides.     

Effect of nodulation on the nitrate assimilation in vegetative soybean plants

Summary Nitrate assimilation in the first trifoliate leaf of vegetative soybean plants (Glycine max L. Merr, cv Hodgson) was studied in relation to nodulation. Nodulated and non-nodulated plants were grown in a nitrate medium (4 mM). As a control nodulated plants were grown in a nutrient medium without combined nitrogen. This study included measurements of the acetylene reduction activity of the whole plant and of thein vitro nitrate reductase, glutamine synthetase and glutamate dehydrogenase activities in the first leaf and of the nitrate concentration. Nitrate accumulation and nitrate reductase activity were depressed in nodulated plants; root growth was decreased in the presence of nitrate. The relationships between nitrate assimilation and nodulation are discussed.     

Varietal influence of intercropped cowpea on the growth,yield and water relations of maize

The effects of three cowpea varieties namely, NewEra (a spreading type), Adzuki (an erect type) and Ife Brown (semi-erect) intercropped with maize on growth, yield and water relations of maize were investigated in the greenhouse and in the field. Cowpea varietal effects were significant on soil water extraction but insignificant on the performance of maize.     

Effect of cadmium on glutathione reductase in potato tubers

Short-term treatment of potato tuber (Solanum tuberosum L.) discs with CdCl₂ changed glutathione reductase (GR) activity depending on cadmium ions concentrations, kind of tuber and time of incubation. The increase of GR activity at 10 and 100 μmol·dcm⁻³ of CdCl₂ solutions was marked in less resistant tissues of cv. Bintje after 24 hrs, and was slight in more resistant tissues of cv. Bzura after 72 hrs. At 1 mmol·dcm⁻³ concentration of CdCl₂ rapid and total inactivation in both kind of tissues was observed, which disappeared after a few days. However this elevation was faster in more resistant tissues. These inhibition effects come from the inactivation process of GR by cadmium. The values of K_I for cadmium and K_M for GSSG of GR from potato tuber tissues indicated that enzyme from more resistant tissues possessed lower affinity to toxic metal and higher affinity to substrate.