Desodification from calcareous saline sodic soil through phytoremediation with Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. and gypsum

The reclamation of saline sodic soils requires sodium removal and the phytoremediation is one of the proven low-cost, low-risk technologies for reclaiming such soils. However, the role of Phragmites australis in reclaiming saline sodic soils has not been evaluated extensively. The comparative reclaiming role of P. australis and gypsum was evaluated in a column experiment on a sandy clay saline sodic soil with EC_e 74.7 dS m^?1, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) 63.2, Na⁺ 361 g kg^?1, and pH 8.46. The gypsum at 100% soil requirement, planting common reed (P. australis) alone, P. australis + gypsum at 50% soil gypsum requirements, and leaching (control without plant and gypsum) were four treatments applied. After 11 weeks of incubation, the results showed that all treatments including the control significantly reduced pH, EC, exchangeable Na⁺, and SAR from the initial values, the control being with least results. The gypsum and P. australis + gypsum were highly effective in salinity (EC_e) reduction, while sodicity (SAR) and Na⁺ reductions were significantly higher in P. australis + gypsum treatment. The reclamation efficiency in terms of Na⁺ (83.4%) and SAR (86.8%) reduction was the highest in P. australis + gypsum. It is concluded that phytoremediation is an effective tool to reclaim saline sodic soil.     

Bioavailability and extraction of heavy metals from contaminated soil by Atriplex halimus

Pot experiments were performed to evaluate the phytoremediation capacity of plants of Atriplex halimus grown in contaminated mine soils and to investigate the effects of organic amendments on the metal bioavailability and uptake of these metals by plants. Soil samples collected from abandoned mine sites north of Madrid (Spain) were mixed with 0, 30 and 60 Mg ha⁻¹ of two organic amendments, with different pH and nutrients content: pine-bark compost and horse- and sheep-manure compost. The increasing soil organic matter content and pH by the application of manure amendment reduced metal bioavailability in soil stabilising them. The proportion of Cu in the most bioavailable fractions (sum of the water-soluble, exchangeable, acid-soluble and Fe–Mn oxides fractions) decreased with the addition of 60 Mg ha⁻¹ of manure from 62% to 52% in one of the soils studied and from 50% to 30% in the other. This amendment also reduced Zn proportion in water-soluble and exchangeable fractions from 17% to 13% in one of the soils. Manure decreased metal concentrations in shoots of A. halimus, from 97 to 35 mg kg⁻¹ of Cu, from 211 to 98 mg kg⁻¹ of Zn and from 1.4 to 0.6 mg kg⁻¹ of Cd. In these treatments there was a higher plant growth due to the lower metal toxicity and the improvement of nutrients content in soil. This higher growth resulted in a higher total metal accumulation in plant biomass and therefore in a greater amount of metals removed from soil, so manure could be useful for phytoextraction purposes. This amendment increased metal accumulation in shoots from 37 to 138 mg pot⁻¹ of Cu, from 299 to 445 mg pot⁻¹ of Zn and from 1.8 to 3.7 mg pot⁻¹ of Cd. Pine bark amendment did not significantly alter metal availability and its uptake by plants. Plants of A. halimus managed to reduce total Zn concentration in one of the soils from 146 to 130 mg kg⁻¹, but its phytoextraction capacity was insufficient to remediate contaminated soils in the short-to-medium term. However, A. halimus could be, in combination with manure amendment, appropriate for the phytostabilization of metals in mine soils.     

Biomass,anatomical changes and osmotic potential in Atriplex nummularia Lindl. cultivated in sodic saline soil under water stress

Atriplex nummularia exhibits excellent adaptability to environments with high salinity and low water availability. Accordingly, many studies have been conducted to identify the tolerance of the plant. We cultivated Atriplex in sodic saline soil under conditions of water stress in Northeast Brazil. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the growth characteristics and production of leaves, stems and roots of Atriplex under these conditions in order to identify anatomical changes in vesicular cells in leaf epidermis as well as to assess the osmotic potential of the soil solution and the leaves. The experiment was performed in a greenhouse where Atriplex was cultivated for 134 days in pots with sodic saline soil. The treatments comprised four moisture levels (35%, 55%, 75% and 95% of field capacity – FC). The height, diameter and dry mass of leaf, stem and root exhibited their highest values at levels of soil moisture that were 75% and 95% of FC. The high yields of dry biomass indicate the potential use of this halophyte for restoration of salt-affected soils. The vesicular cells were influenced by the soil moisture. The osmotic potential can serve as a good index for evaluating plant responses to water stress and salinity.     

The agro-ecological suitability of Atriplex nummularia and A. halimus for biomass production in Argentine saline drylands

The choice of the best species to cultivate in semi-arid and arid climates is of fundamental importance, and is determined by many factors, including temperature and rainfall, soil type, water availability for irrigation and crop purposes. Soil or water salinity represents one of the major causes of crop stress. Species of the genus Atriplex are characterized by high biomass productivity, high tolerance to drought and salinity, and high efficiency in use of solar radiation and water. Based on a search of the international literature, the authors outline an agro-climatic zoning model to determine potential production areas in Argentina for Atriplex halimus and Atriplex numularia. Using the agroclimatic limits presented in this work, this model may be applied to any part of the world. When superimposed on the saline areas map, the agroclimatic map shows the suitability of agro-ecological zoning for both species for energy purposes on land unsuitable for food production. This innovative study was based on the implementation of a geographic information system that can be updated by further incorporation of complementary information, with consequent improvement of the original database.     

The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus geosporum in European saline,sodic and gypsum soils

Plants of saline and sodic soils of the Hungarian steppe and of gypsum rock in the German Harz mountains, thus soils of high ionic strength and electric conductivity, were examined for their colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Roots of several plants of the saline and sodic soils such as Artemisia maritima, Aster tripolium or Plantago maritima are strongly colonized and show typical AMF structures (arbuscules, vesicles) whereas others like the members of the Chenopodiaceae, Salicornia europaea, Suaeda maritima or Camphorosma annua, are not. The vegetation of the gypsum rock is totally different, but several plants are also strongly colonized there. The number of spores in samples from the saline and sodic soils examined is rather variable, but high on average, although with an apparent low species diversity. Spore numbers in the soil adjacent to the roots of plants often, but not always, correlate with the degree of AMF colonization of the plants. As in German salt marshes [Hildebrandt et al. (2001)], the dominant AMF in the Hungarian saline and sodic soils is Glomus geosporum. All these isolates provided nearly identical restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of spore DNA amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Cloning and sequencing of several PCR products of the ITS regions indicated that ecotypes of the G. geosporum/ Glomus caledonium clade might exist at the different habitats. A phylogenetic dendrogram constructed from the ITS or 5.8S rDNA sequences was nearly identical to the one published for 18S rDNA data (Schwarzott et al. 2001). It is tempting to speculate that specific ecotypes may be particularly adapted to the peculiar saline or sodic conditions in such soils. They could have an enormous potential in conferring salt resistance to plants.     

Phenotypic and genetic variability of three natural populations of Atriplex halimus

Three natural populations of Atriplex halimus, located in three different climatic contexts, were studied using leaf characteristics (leaf area, leaf length-to-maximum-width ratio, average width of the leaves and leave-to-branch ratio) and isoenzymatic markers. The study showed the existence of a highly significant phenotypical variability. This variability is all the more significant, as populations are geographically distant and located in different climates. The gradual character of this morphological variability, along a climatic gradient, indicates that it is almost a clinical differentiation. Clones obtained from semi-woody cuttings taken on the level of each population and placed in a common parcel have maintained the same leaf characteristics as the population sources, suggesting the genetic origin of this variability. The study of four isoenzymatic systems confirms the existence of this variability. Thus, the percentage of polymorphic loci (P), the expected heterozygosity (He) and the mean number of alleles per locus (A) are of 77.52%, 0.319, and 1.99, respectively. The genetic diversity index (Fst) obtained is 0.089.     

Genetic structure of Atriplex halimus populations in the Mediterranean Basin

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The saltbush Atriplex halimus is a chenopodiaceous plant well adapted to dry saline habitats and widely distributed in the Mediterranean Basin. A study was carried out to analyse the genetic diversity of A. halimus at the level of the Mediterranean Basin. METHODS: To assess the intra- and interpopulational variation of A. halimus a total of 51 populations and six plants per populations was analysed with the RAPD-PCR technique. For the study of the phylogeny of the populations, 21 samples of A. halimus and seven samples of other species of Atriplex were analysed by the sequencing of the ITS (internal transcribed spacer) region of the ribosomal DNA. KEY RESULTS: The AMOVA analysis of the RAPD results showed that populations were divided into two discrete genetic groups, as the variation among groups accounted for 54.36 % of the total variance of the collection. At the same time, the intrapopulational diversity was high, as 301 out of 306 plants analysed constituted an individual RAPD haplotype. The sequencing of the ITS region also showed a significant separation of the two genetic groups, with a genetic distance of 0.023 nucleotide substitutions per site. Using A. breweri, A. canescens, A. glauca and A. prostrata as outgroups in the phylogenetic analysis, A. breweri and A. canescens are the species closest to A. halimus from this group, while A. prostrata is the most distant. CONCLUSIONS: The present work indicates that two genetic groups of A. halimus can be distinguished after analysing the genetic diversity of 51 populations from ten countries in the Mediterranean Basin.     

Regulation of metabolomics in Atriplex halimus growth under salt and drought stress

Forty-day-old Atriplex halimus seedlings were treated with either NaCl (50, 300 and 550?mM) for the subsequent 30?days or PEG for the following 3, 6 and 10?days. Shoot fresh and dry weights were significantly increased by 50?mM NaCl; nevertheless, the other concentrations had no effect. However, the growth was reduced by drought only after 10?days. Meanwhile, Na⁺ was accumulated in treated plants; the magnitude of accumulation was highest with high NaCl concentration or PEG for 10?days. The metabolite profiles showed discrimination particularly up-regulation of the amino acids proline, valine, isoleucine, and methionine. Moreover, the macro analysis revealed that NaCl- and PEG-treated plants shared 10?% of the metabolites in the positive mode, however, 87?% were unique to NaCl and 46?% were unique to PEG whereas in the negative mode, 8?% were in share while 90 or 53?% were restricted to NaCl or PEG, respectively. Additionally, sucrose in particular was significantly increased up to threefold and fivefold by 300 and 550?mM NaCl, respectively and up to 2.5-fold by drought for 10?days, nevertheless, the other sugar fractions remained largely unchanged. Also, proline was significantly increased by only the high NaCl concentrations and the long-term drought, nonetheless, the other treatments led, if any, to decreases. These results conclude that NaCl affects the metabolite profiles more than PEG and these metabolites might contribute to osmotic adjustments to act as osmoprotectants rather than osmolytes. These changes of metabolomics might function in many resistance and stress responses.     

Effectiveness of sulfur with Acidithiobacillus and gypsum in chemical attributes of a Brazilian sodic soil

Gypsum and sulfur have been used as amendments for application in sodic and saline sodic soils, although gypsum is not effective in soil pH reduction. In this study the combined effects of elemental sulfur inoculated with Acidithiobacillus (S*) and gypsum (G) in chemical attributes of a Brazilian solodic soil was evaluated. The treatments consisted in addition of S* and G in various levels (0, 0.8, 1.6, 2.4, and 3.2 t ha⁻¹) and different mixing proportions (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 100:0), acting during 15, 30, and 45 days. Sulfur inoculated with Acidithiobacillus (S*) markedly reduced soil pH in the leaching solution, especially when applied in the highest levels. Gypsum or sulfur applied individually was not satisfactory for soil reclamation. At 15 days of incubation Na⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ showed higher values in the leaching solution, and a marked decrease was observed in the leaching solution at 30 days. Reduction in soil electrical conductivity and in exchangeable Na⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ was observed and in a general way best results were achieved with S* : G in the ratio 50:50, using 2.4 and 3.2 t ha⁻¹. Sulfur with Acidithiobacillus was more effective than gypsum in decreasing soil pH, and sulfur applied with gypsum in the proportion 50:50 showed the best results in relation to exchangeable sodium and electrical conductivity and showed values below those used for classification as sodic soils.     

Growth and N2 fixation in mixed cropping of Medicago arborea and Atriplex halimus grown on a salt-affected soil using a 15N tracer technique

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate dry matter (DM), nitrogen yield, N₂ fixation (Ndfa) and soil N uptake (Ndfs) in the shrubby medic (Medicago arborea) and saltbush (Atriplex halimus) grown in pots either solely or in a mixture on a salt-affected soil, using ¹⁵N dilution method. The combined DM of both species was considerably higher than that of solely grown shrubs. The inclusion of saltbush in the mixed cropping system decreased Ndfs by shrubby medic and enhanced % Ndfa without affecting amounts of N₂ fixed. It can be concluded that the use of mixed cropping system of shrubby medic and saltbush could be a promising bio-saline agricultural approach to utilize salt affected soils in terms of forage yield and N₂ fixation.     

Quantitative histochemistry of oxalate in vesiculated hairs of Atriplex halimus L.

Summary A quantitative microchemical technique was devised to detect 2 to 3 g oxalate in plant materials. This technique was used to measure the molarity of oxalate in the giant vesiculated hairs covering leaves of Atriplex halimus L. Oxalate concentration in the hairs was found to be approximately 1.4 molar. This technique is much simpler and more sensitive than previously reported methods.     

Determination of ploidy and nuclear DNA content in populations of Atriplex halimus (Chenopodiaceae)

Nuclear DNA contents were determined by flow cytometry for 20 populations of the perennial C₄ shrub Atriplex halimus L. (Chenopodiaceae) originating from the Mediterranean basin and Fuerteventura (Canary Islands). Two populations were also analysed for chromosome number: one (from Ibiza, Spain), with a 2C nuclear DNA content of 2.40 pg, was shown to be diploid (2 n  = 2 x  = 18), whilst the other (from Sicily, Italy), with 5.11 pg, was tetraploid (2 n  = 2 x  = 36). With respect to nuclear DNA content, two groups of populations were detected, diploids with 2.40–2.44 pg and tetraploids with 4.77–5.13 pg. The diploid populations were mainly from the western Mediterranean (Spain and France) and Fuerteventura, whereas tetraploids were generally, but not exclusively, from more arid areas in North Africa and the eastern Mediterranean. In general, the diploid and tetraploid populations corresponded to the subspecies halimus and schweinfurthii , respectively. For certain populations having morphologies intermediate between those considered typical of these two subspecies, nuclear DNA contents showed them to be tetraploid. There was significant variation in nuclear DNA content among the tetraploid populations, with greater values in the more easterly populations.  © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 147 , 441−448.     

Localization of potential ion transport pathways in vesicular trichome cells of Atriplex halimus L.

The secreting glandular trichomes are recognized as an efficient structure that alleviates salt effects on Atriplex halimus. They are found on buds, young green stems, and leaves. They occupy both the leaf surfaces and give them a whitish color. Their histogenesis and ultrastructure were investigated in the third young leaves. They appear in early stage of plant development and its initiation continuous until just the leaf final development state. Each trichome contains two parts; a stalk which has high electron opacity, embedded in epidermal cells, and bears a second one which is unicellular, called bladder cell and has a low electron density. The bladder cell appears as a huge vacuole and the well-reduced cytoplasm which is pushed close to the wall, contains only a few organelles. Concurrently, the use of silver chloride precipitation technique shows that, in secretion process, salt follows a symplasmatic pathway which is consolidated by the presence of numerous plasmodesmata between the stalk cell(s), and the bladder one and the neighboring mesophyll cells. In addition, according to lanthanum-tracer study, salt can be excreted apoplastically. In fact, the heavy element can be transported via endocytosis vesicles, and by Golgi, endoplasmic reticulum, and lysosome (G.E.R.L.) network toward the storage vacuoles.     

Cold Inactivation of Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase and Pyruvate Orthophosphate Dikinase from the C4 Perennial Plant Atriplex halimus

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) and pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK) cold inactivation was studied in leaf extracts from Atriplex halimus L. Both enzyme activities gradually reduced as the temperature and the total soluble protein decreased. Mg²⁺ at a concentration of 10 mM stabilized PEPC and PPDK activities against cold inactivation. At low Mg²⁺ concentration (4 mM), PEPC was strongly protected by phosphoenolpyruvate, glucose-6-phosphate, and, partially, byL-malate, while PPDK was protected by PEP, but not by its substrate, pyruvate. High concentrations of compatible solutes (glycerol, betaine, proline, sorbitol and trehalose) proved to be good protectants for both enzyme activities against cold inactivation. When illuminated leaves were exposed to low temperature, PPDK was partially inactivated, while the activity of PEPC was not altered.     

Iron,zinc and manganese nutrition of wetland rice (Oryza sativa L.) on a gypsum amended sodic soil

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of three levels of Fe and two levels of Zn, and their combinations, on the growth, yield and Fe, Zn, and Mn nutrition of rice on a zinc deficient sodic soil amended with gypsum. Iron and zinc were supplied as sulphates. Application of Zn significantly enhanced the yield of rice and available soil and plant Zn irrespective of Fe application. Maximum response of rice to Zn was obtained when Fe was applied at the highest rate. While Fe application brought about a significant improvement in available soil and plant Fe and Mn, it decreased significantly Zn content of the crop. After crop harvest, recovery of added Fe was 20% and Zn 12%. Results suggest that benefits of Fe application to rice in sodic soils can only be realised if it is applied along with Zn.     

Temporal changes in soil properties and physiological characteristics of Atriplex species and Medicago arborea grown in different soil types under saline irrigation

Plant and Soil - Salinity stress tolerance is a complex polygenic trait composed of numerous sub-traits that operate at very different timescales. This work elucidates the time-dependence and...     

A novel terrestrial halophilic environment: The phylloplane of Atriplex halimus, a salt-excreting plant

Abstract This paper describes the microbial ecosystem found on the leaves of Atriplex halimus , a salt-excreting plant in the central Negev highlands of Israel. Because of the regular nightly occurence of dew at this location, these leaves undergo a diurnal wetting so that phylloplane microorganisms experience large fluctuations in salinity and water activity, as well as tolerate repeated desiccation. During the dry season, in the late spring and summer, a significant amount of salts and organic material coats the leaf surface. During dew events the salt concentration at the leaf surface was calculated to be > 0.4 M. Direct counts of the respiring bacteria on the leaf surface ranged from 1.06×10⁴ to 5.06×10⁵ per cm². Using a variety of media it was shown that there was limited bacterial diversity which could be cultured, with greater than 90% of the isolates being orange colored Gram-negative rods. Viable counts ranged from 0.32 to 2.32×10⁴ bacteria per cm² of A. halimus leaf surface. No bacteria capable of nucleating ice were recovered in these studies. The dominant orange pigmented bacterium, identified as a halotolerant Pseudomonas sp., grew optimally at 30°C and at 5% NaCl and was capable of growth in media containing up to 20% NaCl. This bacterium could grow on a variety of organic compounds, including some associated with plant materials. The leaf bacteria were desiccation-tolerant when on the leaf surface or when directly washed off the leaves, but much less so when in isolatd culture. A major component of the tolerance to desiccation is probably related to the compounds on the leaf surface.