Effects of Se on the uptake of essential elements in Pteris vittata L.

Selenium has been proven to be an antioxidant in plants at low dosages. To understand better the mechanisms of Se toxicity and benefit to plants, more investigations about effects of Se on the uptake of essential elements in plants would be desirable. In this study, hydroponic (nutrient solution culture) and pot (soil culture) experiments were simultaneously conducted to investigate the effects of Se on the uptake and distribution of essential elements in Pteris vittata. L (Chinese brake fern), an arsenic (As)-hyperaccumulator and a selenium (Se)-accumulator. Chinese brake fern took up much more Se in nutrient solution culture than in soil culture, with the highest Se content recorded as 1,573 mg kg^?1 in the roots, demonstrating remarkable tolerance to Se. In soil culture, Chinese brake fern also accumulated high content of Se, with the highest content measured as 81 mg kg^?1 and 233 mg kg^?1, in the fronds and roots, respectively. In soil culture, the addition of Se suppressed the uptake of most measured elements, including magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn). In nutrient solution culture, when the Se content in the tissues of Chinese brake fern was relatively low, the supplementation of Se suppressed the uptake of most essential elements; however, with the increase of Se content, stimulation effects of Se on the uptake of Ca, Mg, K were observed. An initial decrease followed by a rapid increase of Fe content in the fronds of Chinese brake fern was found with Se addition and tissue Se content increasing in nutrient solution culture, suggesting antagonistic and synergic roles of Se on these elements under low and high Se exposure, respectively. We suggest that Ca, Mg, K may be involved in the tolerance mechanism of Se, and that the regulation of Fe accumulation by Se in the fronds might be partially due to the dual effects of Se on Chinese brake fern.     

Using elevated carbon dioxide to enhance copper accumulation in Pteridium revolutum, a copper-tolerant plant, under experimental conditions

In our survey in the copper (Cu) mining area of China, a sun fern (Pteridium revolutum) was found to accumulate 30-567 mg Cu kg(-1) DW (33 samples) in its fronds with a large frond biomass. Cu translocation factors in the plants varied from 0.09 to 3.88. In a greenhouse pot experiment, the effect of an elevated CO2 concentration (700 microL L(-1)) on Cu accumulation in plants was studied using three fern species (P. revolutum, Pteridium aquilinum, and Pteris vittata) grown in the Cu-contaminated soil. P. revolutum showed a higher Cu tolerance but its Cu translocation factor was lower than 1. At the elevated CO2 concentration, frond biomass of all species was significantly increased, as was the total Cu content in the fronds of P. revolutum and P. aquilinum. Our study suggests that P. revolutum could serve as a good candidate for phytoextraction of Cu-contaminated soils and that doubling the ambient CO2 concentration will facilitate its use in phytoextraction.     

Antioxidant responses of hyper-accumulator and sensitive fern species to arsenic

Plant species capable of hyper-accumulating heavy metals are of considerable interest for phytoremediation, and differ in their ability to accumulate metals from the environment. This work aims to examine (i) arsenic accumulation in three fern species [Chinese brake fern (Pteris vittata L.), slender brake fern (Pteris ensiformis Burm. f.), and Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata L.)], which were exposed to 0, 150, or 300 muM of arsenic (Na(2)HAsO(4).7H(2)O), and (ii) the role of anti-oxidative metabolism in arsenic tolerance in these fern species. Arsenic accumulation increased with an increase in arsenic concentration in the growth medium, the most being found in P. vittata fronds showing no toxicity symptoms. In addition, accumulation was highest in the fronds, followed by the rhizome, and finally the roots, in all three fern species. Thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances, indicators of stress in plants, were found to be lowest in P. vittata, which corresponds with its observed tolerance to arsenic. All three ferns responded differentially to arsenic exposure in terms of anti-oxidative defence. Higher levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase were observed in P. vittata than in P. ensiformis and N. exaltata, showing their active involvement in the arsenic detoxification mechanism. However, no significant increase was observed in either guaiacol peroxides or glutathione reductase in arsenic-treated P. vittata. Higher activity of anti-oxidative enzymes and lower thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances in arsenic-treated P. vittata correspond with its arsenic hyper-accumulation and no symptoms of toxicity.     

Phytoremediation of an arsenic-contaminated site using Pteris vittata L.: a two-year study

A field study was conducted to determine the efficiency of Chinese brake fern (Pteris vittata L.), an arsenic hyperaccumulator, on removal of arsenic from soil at an arsenic-contaminated site. Chinese brake ferns were planted on a site previously used to treat wood with chromated copper arsenate (CCA). Arsenic concentrations in surface and profile soil samples were determined for 2000, 2001, and 2002. In both 2001 and 2002, senesced and senescing fronds only, as well as all fronds, were harvested. Frond arsenic concentrations were not significantly different between the three harvests. Compared to senesced fronds, live fronds resulted in the greatest amount of arsenic removal. There were no significant differences in soil arsenic concentrations between 2000, 2001, and 2002, primarily due to the extreme variability in soil arsenic concentrations. However, the mean surface soil arsenic was reduced from 190 to 140 mg kg(-1). Approximately 19.3 g of arsenic were removed from the soil by Chinese brake fern. Therefore, this fern is capable of accumulating arsenic from the CCA -contaminated site and may be competitive, in terms of cost, to conventional remediation systems. However, better agronomic practices are needed to enhance plant growth and arsenic uptake to obtain maximum soil arsenic removal and to minimize remediation time.     

Root exudates and arsenic accumulation in arsenic hyperaccumulating Pteris vittata and non-hyperaccumulating Nephrolepis exaltata

This study compared the roles of root exudates collected from two fern species, the As hyperaccumulating Chinese Brake fern (Pteris vittata L.) and the As-sensitive Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata L.), on As-mobilization of two As minerals (aluminum arsenate and iron arsenate) and a CCA (chromated copper arsenate)-contaminated soil as well as plant As accumulation. Chinese Brake fern exuded 2 times more dissolved organic carbon (DOC) than Boston fern and the difference was more pronounced under As stress. The composition of organic acids in the root exudates for both ferns consisted mainly of phytic acid and oxalic acid. However, Chinese Brake fern produced 0.46 to 1.06 times more phytic acid than Boston fern under As stress, and exuded 3–5 times more oxalic acid than Boston fern in all treatments. Consequently, root exudates from Chinese Brake fern mobilized more As from aluminum arsenate (3–4 times), iron arsenate (4–6 times) and CCA-contaminated soil (6–18 times) than Boston fern. Chinese Brake fern took up more As and translocated more As to the fronds than Boston fern. The molar ratio of P/As in the roots of Chinese Brake fern was greater than in the fronds whereas the reverse was observed in Boston fern. These results suggested that As-mobilization from the soil by the root exudates (enhancing plant uptake), coupled with efficient As translocation to the fronds (keeping a high molar ratio of P/As in the roots), are both important for As hyperaccumulation by Chinese Brake fern.     

Interactive effects of selenium and arsenic on their uptake by Pteris vittata L. under hydroponic conditions

The interactive effects of selenium (Se) and arsenic (As) on plant uptake of Se and As have rarely been documented. In this study, the interactive effects of As and Se on their uptake by Chinese brake fern (Pteris vittata), an As-hyperaccumulator and Se-accumulator, were explored in two hydroponic experiments based on a two-factor, five-level central composite design. At Se levels of less than 2.5 mg L^?1, increasing amounts of As stimulated the uptake of Se in Chinese brake fern roots, possibly because of the beneficial effects of Se. In contrast, at Se concentrations greater than 2.5 mg L^?1, As suppressed the uptake of Se in Chinese brake fern roots. Uptake of As by both fronds and roots of Chinese brake fern was suppressed by the addition of Se, indicating the antagonistic effects of Se on As. In addition, at Se concentrations of less than 2.5 mg L^?1, As stimulated the translocation of Se from roots to fronds; meanwhile, the addition of Se resulted in reduced translocation of As from roots to fronds. These findings demonstrate the interactive effects of As and Se on their uptake by Chinese brake fern.     

基于人工培养的浮萍快速无性繁殖营养条件研究

为探究并优化浮萍人工培养技术, 研究以广布种紫萍(Spirodela polyrrhiza)和青萍(Lemna minor)为主要研究对象, 探索两种浮萍植物在不同营养水平的Hoagland和Hunter培养液中的鲜重、叶状体数的生长变化状况。结果表明: (1)紫萍和青萍鲜重在Hoagland培养液的不同营养水平下先增加后减少, 而在Hunter营养液中呈持续增长趋势; 两种浮萍的鲜重最大相对增长率(RGR)分别为0.11和0.18, 鲜重受浮萍品种和培养基类型及其不同营养水平影响显著(P<0.05), 以青萍在Hunter原液培养基下的无性繁殖产生的生物量最高。(2)紫萍和青萍叶状体数在Hoagland培养液的不同营养水平下先增加后减少, 而同鲜重一样在Hunter营养液中呈不断增长趋势; 两种浮萍的叶状体最大相对增长率分别为0.14和0.19, 叶状体生长的RGR变化同样受浮萍品种和培养基类型及营养水平影响显著(P<0.05), 以青萍在Hunter原液的营养环境下收获的叶状体数最高。(3)两种浮萍在Hoagland和Hunter营养液的不同营养水平下鲜重/叶状体比呈下降趋势, 表明两种浮萍在适应不同营养时优先繁殖子代叶状体, 以扩大种的适合度。研究认为Hunter原液可作为广布种青萍的最优培养条件, 可实现短时间内收获较大浮萍鲜生物量和叶状体数, 为进一步资源化利用提供原材料。     

Phytoextraction: simulating uptake and translocation of arsenic in a soil-plant system

The uptake, transport, and accumulation of metals by plants are functions central to successful phytoextraction. This study investigates the uptake and translocation of arsenic from a contaminated sandy soil by a mature Chinese brake fern (Pteris vittata L.). An existing mathematical model for the coupled transport of water, heat, and solutes in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum (CTSPAC) was modified to examine the flow of water as well as the uptake and translocation of total arsenic in the xylem of the fern. This model was calibrated using greenhouse measurements before its application. Simulation results showed that about 20% of the soil arsenic was removed by the fern in 10 d, of which about 90% of the arsenic was stored in the fronds and 10% in the roots. Although arsenic mass in the plant tissues increased consecutively with time, arsenic concentration in the xylem sap of the root tips has a typical diurnal distribution pattern: increasing during the day and decreasing at night, resulting from daily variations of frond surface water transpiration. The largest difference in simulated arsenic concentration in the root tips between the day and night was about 5%. This study also suggests that the use of transpiration stream concentration factor (TSCF), which is defined as the ratio of chemical concentration in the xylem sap to that in the external solution, to evaluate the translocation efficiency of arsenic for the hyperaccumulator Chinese brake fern (Pteris vittata L.) could be limited.     

Influence of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae on uptake of arsenate by the As hyperaccumulator fern Pteris vittata L.

We report for the first time some effects of colonization by an arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus (Glomus mosseae) on the biomass and arsenate uptake of an As hyperaccumulator, Pteris vittata. Two arsenic levels (0 and 300 mg As kg^–1) were applied to an already contaminated soil in pots with two compartments for plant and hyphal growth in a glasshouse experiment. Arsenic application had little or no effect on mycorrhizal colonization, which was about 50% of root length. Mycorrhizal colonization increased frond dry matter yield, lowered the root/frond weight ratio, and decreased frond As concentration by 33–38%. Nevertheless, transfer of As to fronds showed a 43% increase with mycorrhizal colonization at the higher soil As level. Frond As concentrations reached about 1.6 g kg^–1 (dry matter basis) in non-mycorrhizal plants in the As-amended soil. Mycorrhizal colonization elevated root P concentration at both soil As levels and mycorrhizal plants had higher P/As ratios in both fronds and roots than did non-mycorrhizal controls.     

Arsenic uptake and accumulation in fern species growing at arsenic-contaminated sites of southern China: field surveys

Aiming at searching for new arsenic (As) hyperaccumulators, field surveys were conducted at 12 As-contaminated sites located in Guangxi and Guangdong Provinces of southern China. Samples of 24 fern species belonging to 16 genera and 11 families as well as their associated soils were collected and As concentrations in plant and soil samples were determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The results show that among 24 fern species, Pteris multifida and P. oshimensis can (hyper)accumulate As in their fronds with high concentrations in addition to P. vittata and P. cretica var. nervosa, which have been previously identified as As hyperaccumulators. Total As concentrations in soils associated with P. multifida and P. oshimensis varied from 1262 to 47,235 mg kg(-1), but the DTPA-extractable As concentrations were relatively low, with a maximum of 65 mg kg(-1). Forty-four of 49 samples of P. multifida collected from five sites and 3 of 13 samples of P. oshimensis collected from one site accumulated over 1000 mg As kg(-1) in their fronds and As concentrations in the fronds were higher than those in the petioles and rhizoids. Although As concentrations in the fronds of P. oshimensis (789 mg kg(-1) averaged, range 301-2142 mg kg(-1)) were comparatively lower than those of P. multifida (1977 mg kg9-1), 624-4056 mg kg(-1)), its high aboveground biomass makes it more suitable for phytoremediating As-contaminated soils. Among all the species in Pteris genus studied, Pteris semipinnata accumulated only very low As concentration in its fronds (8 mg kg(-1), 1-18 mg kg(-1)). Further research is needed to study the differences in As uptake and accumulation among fern species in the same or other genera.     

Multivariate analysis of elements in chinese brake fern as determined using neutron activation analysis

Pytoremediaton of arsenic (As) contamination using Chinese brake fern (Pteris vittata L.), an As hyperaccumulator has proven potential because of its cost-effectiveness and environmental harmonies. Aiming to investigate the elemental correlation in Chinese brake fern, 20 elements (As, Br, Ca, Ce, Co, Cr, Eu, Fe, Hf, La, Na, Nd, K, Rb, Se, Sm, Sr, Th, Yb and Zn) were measured in the fronds and roots of the fern by neutron activation analysis. The ferns were sampled from two sites with high geogenic As levels: Zimudang (ZMD) and Lanmuchang (LMC) in Guizhou Province, China. Multivariate statistic analysis was performed to explore the interrelationship between these elements, especially between As and other elements. As was found to be positively related to K, Na, La, and Sm in both the roots and the fronds, suggesting that these four elements might operate as synergies to As during uptake and transportation processes. Se was positively related to most of the other cations measured, except in the fronds of the fern at ZMD, where Br replaced Se as positively related to the other cations. The difference of As and Se in correlation with other cationic elements suggested that the two anionic elements play different roles in elemental uptake processes. Our findings of elemental correlation highlight the importance of the anioncation balance in Chinese brake fern.     

Effects of a PAL inhibitor on phenolic accumulation and UV-B tolerance in Spirodela intermedia (Koch.)

Duckweed (Spirodela intermedia) was grown axenically on 1/2 strength Hutner's nutrient solution plus 1% sucrose, with the l-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) inhibitor 2-aminoindan-2-phosphonic acid (AIP) at 0.0, 0.05, or 10 microM, at constant 25 degrees C and a light intensity of 300 micromol m(-2) s(-1) photosynthetically active radiation from CW fluorescent lamps. Growth with 10 microM AIP led to decreased frond area and fresh weight, but dry weight was unchanged. Microscopic examination of fronds revealed increased frond thickness and a lack of reticulate aerenchyma. Ultraviolet epifluorescence microscopy and UV-Vis spectroscopy of methanolic extracts confirmed the dose-dependent inhibition of secondary phenolic synthesis with the near total elimination of secondary phenolic accumulation at the 10 microM level. AIP-treated plants showed increased sensitivity to UV-B as shown by a reduced F(v)/F(m). The results provided direct evidence of the working hypothesis that phenols function to screen UV radiation from reaching photosynthetic tissues or damaging other sensitive tissues. A novel histochemical method employing zirconyl chloride to visualize phenols is discussed.     

Arsenic uptake, translocation and speciation in pho1 and pho2 mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana

Arsenate [As (V)] is taken up by phosphate [P (V)] transporters in the plasma membrane of roots cells, but the translocation of As from roots to shoots is not well understood. Two mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) [( pho1 , P deficient) and ( pho2 , P accumulator)], with defects in the regulation and translocation of P (V) from roots to shoots, were therefore used in this study to investigate uptake, translocation and speciation of As in roots and shoots of plants grown in soil or nutrient solution. The shoots of the pho2 mutant contained higher P concentrations, but similar or slightly higher As concentrations, in comparison with the wild type. In the pho1 mutant, the P concentration in the shoots was lower, and the As concentration was higher, in comparison with the wild type. Both pho2 and the wild type contained mainly As (III) in roots and shoot (67–90% of total As). Arsenic was likely to be translocated by a different pathway to P (V) in the pho2 and pho1 mutants . Therefore, it is suggested that As (III) is the main As species translocated from roots to shoots in Arabidopsis thaliana.     

Comparison of root absorption, translocation and tolerance of arsenic in the hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata and the nonhyperaccumulator Pteris tremula

* Several fern species can hyperaccumulate arsenic, although the mechanisms are not fully understood. Here we investigate the roles of root absorption, translocation and tolerance in As hyperaccumulation by comparing the hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata and the nonhyperaccumulator Pteris tremula. * The two species were grown in a pot experiment with 0-500 mg As kg-1 added as arsenate, and in a short-term (8 h) uptake experiment with 5 microM arsenate under phosphorus-sufficient conditions. * In the pot experiment, P. vittata accumulated up to 2500 mg As kg-1 frond d. wt and suffered no phytotoxicity. P. tremula accumulated<100 mg As kg-1 frond d. wt and suffered severe phytotoxicity with additions of >or=25 mg As kg-1. In the short-term uptake experiment, P. vittata had a 2.2-fold higher rate of arsenate uptake than P. tremula, and distributed more As taken up to the fronds (76%) than did P. tremula (9%). * Our results show that enhanced root uptake, efficient root-to-shoot translocation, and a much elevated tolerance through internal detoxification all contribute to As hyperaccumulation in P. vittata.     

EFFECTS OF NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS LEVELS,AND FROND-HARVESTING ON ABSORPTION,TRANSLOCATION AND ACCUMULATION OF ARSENIC BY CHINESE BRAKE FERN (PTERIS VITTATA L.)

This hydroponic experiment was conducted to determine the effects of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) levels and frond-harvesting on the effectiveness of arsenic (As)-hyperaccumulator Chinese brake fern (Pteris vittata L.) to remove As from contaminated groundwater collected from south Florida. Three-month old ferns were grown in 38-L plastic tanks (two ferns per tank) containing 30-L of As-contaminated water (130 μg·L^?1 As), which was amended with modified 0.25 strength Hoagland's solution #2. Two N (26 or 52 mg·L^?1) and two P levels (1.2 and 2.4 mg·L^?1) were tested in one experiment, whereas the effect of frond-harvesting was tested in a separate experiment. Initially, N had little effect on plant As removal whereas low P treatment was more effective than high P and As was reduced to <5 μg·L^?1 in 28 d compared to 35 d. For well-established ferns, N and P levels had little effect. Reused fern, with or without harvesting the As-rich fronds, took up arsenic more rapidly so the As concentration in the groundwater declined faster (130 to ～10 μg·L^?1 in 8 h). Regardless of the treatments, most As (85–93%) was located in the aboveground tissue (rhizomes and fronds). Frond As concentrations were higher for non-harvested ferns than for ferns where fronds were partially harvested prior to treatment. Conversely, rhizomes accumulated more arsenic in ferns where fronds had been partially harvested. Low-P treatment coupled with reuse of more established ferns with or without harvesting fronds can be used to effectively remove arsenic from contaminated water using P. vittata     

Phytoremediation potential of Pityrogramma calomelanos var. austroamericana and Pteris vittata L. grown at a highly variable arsenic contaminated site

This study examined the phytoextraction potential of two arsenic (As) hyperaccumulators, Pteris vittata L. and Pityrogramma calomelanos var. austroamericana at a historical As-contaminated cattle dip site in northern New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Total As concentration in the surface soil (0-20 cm) showed a better spatial structure than phosphate-extractable As in the surface and sub-surface soil at this site. P. calomelanos var. austroamericana produced greater frond dry biomass (mean = 130 g plant(-1)) than P. vittata (mean = 81 g plant(-1)) after 10 months of growth. Arsenic concentration and uptake in fronds were also significantly higher in P. calomelanos var. austroamericana (means = 887 mg kg(-1) and 124 mg plant(-1)) than in P. vittata (means = 674 mg kg(-1) and 57 mg plant(-1)). Our results showed that under the field conditions and highly variable soil As at the site, P. calomelanos var. austroamericana performed better than P. vittata. We predict that P. calomelanos var. austroamericana would take approximately 100 years to reduce the total As to below 20 mg kg(-1) at the site compared to > or =200 years estimated for P. vittata. However, long-term data are required to confirm these observations under field conditions.     

Differential Response in the Water Status of Immature and Mature Fronds of the Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris [L.] Todaro) to a Mild Water Stress

Experiments were conducted in growth chambers to examine the effect of a mild water stress (−200 kilopascals polyethylene glycol) on frond elongation and water status of the ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris [L.] Todaro). Measurements were taken for two days, starting one day after the application of polyethylene glycol. Total water potential in control (well-watered) plants was always significantly higher in immature fronds than in mature fronds. The osmotic potential in mature fronds was always significantly lower (about 800 kilopascals) than in immature fronds in both control and stressed plants. In immature fronds, the stress decreased elongation and total water and pressure potentials, while in mature fronds it increased total water and pressure potentials. The decreases in total and pressure potentials in immature fronds were approximately equal to the increases in mature fronds.     

Uptake and distribution of selenium in different fern species

There has been an interest in using hyperaccumulating plants for the removal of heavy metals and metalloids. High selenium (Se) concentrations in the environment are detrimental to animals, humans, and sustainable agriculture, yet selenium is also an essential nutrient for humans. This experiment was conducted to screen fern plants for their potential to accumulate selenium. Eleven fern species, Pteris vittata, P. quadriaurita, P. dentata, P. ensiformis, P. cretica, Dryopteris erythrosora, Didymochlaena truncatula, Adiantum hispidulum, Actiniopteris radiata, Davallia griffithiana, and Cyrtomium fulcatum, were grown under hydroponic conditions for one week at 20 mg L(-1) selenate or selenite. Root Se concentrations reached 245-731 and 516-1082 mg kg(-1) when treated with selenate and selenite, respectively. The corresponding numbers in the fronds were 153-745 and 74-1,028 mg kg(-1) with no visible toxicity symptoms. Only three fern species were able to accumulate more Se in the fronds than the roots, which were D. griffithiana when treated with selenate, P. vittata when treated with selenite, and A. radiata regardless of the forms of Se. A. radiata was the best species overall for Se accumulation. More research is needed to further determine the potential of the fern species identified in this study for phytoremediation of the Se contaminated soils and water.     

Effect of Water Stress on Gas Exchange in Fronds of the Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris (L.) Todaro)

Experiments were conducted in a gas exchange system to examinethe effect of a water stress, induced by –200 kPa polyethyleneglycol (PEG), on carbon dioxide and water vapour flux, fronddiffusive resistance, intercellular carbon dioxide concentration,carbon dioxide residual resistance and frond water potentialin the ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris (L.) Todaro).Measurements were taken 1 d after the application of PEG. Themeasurements were made on young fronds (8 d old) and maturefronds (20–24 d old) at PPFD's (Photosynthetic PhotonFlux Density) from 0–1400 µmol m^–22 s^–1.Water stress decreased the net photosynthesis rate in maturefronds at PPFD's of 210 µmol m^–2 s^–1 or greaterand increased the net photosynthesis rate below 210 µmolm^–2 s^–1 in young fronds. The increase in net photosynthesisin stressed young fronds was associated with a significant reductionin the dark respiration rate. Water stress and decreasing PPFD'sincreased frond diffusive resistance. Carbon dioxide concentrationin the intercellular spaces decreased with increasing frondage and PPFD's up to 200 µmol m^–2 s^–1. Theresidual resistance to carbon dioxide flux was not significantlyaffected by either frond age or water stress. Frond water potentialwas significantly lower in mature fronds than in young fronds. Key words: Matteuccia struthiopteris, Water relations, Photosynthesis, Dark respiration     

Allelopathic effects of interrupted fern on northern red oak seedlings: Amelioration bySuillus luteus L.: Fr.

Summary The allelopathic effects of interrupted fern frond leachates on ectomycorrhizal (inoculated) and nonmycorrhizal (noninoculated) northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) seedlings were investigated. Container-grown northern red oak was inoculated with vegetative mycelium ofSuillus luteus L. Fr. following acorn germination. Noninoculated control seedlings were also maintained. Seedlings were grown in a glasshouse under full sunlight or shaded (25% of full sunlight) conditions. Leachate or deionized water solutions were applied to seedlings eleven times over a 91-day period to simulate a rainfall induced transfer of allelopathic chemicals from fern fronds to the soil. Fern frond leachates significantly reduced seedling survival, however, inoculated seedlings showed less mortality. Chromium concentrations of pooled lateral root or leaf tissue were comparatively higher in tissues exhibiting greater mortality. Root biomass was reduced by fern fern frond leachate applications. Seedling biomass was not significantly affected by fungal inoculation. Our results confirm previous documentation of the allelopathic potential of ferns, and suggest that ectomycorrhizal fungi may ameliorate allelopathic effects of ferns on northern red oak seedling survival and growth.