Plant responses to H2S and SO2 fumigation. II. Differences in metabolism of H2S and SO2 in spinach

Fumigation of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L. cvs Estivato and Monosa) with H₂S or SO, for 1 to 6 days resulted in accumulation of sulfhydryl (SH) compounds in the shoots of both H₂S- and SO₂-exposed plants. The sulfate concentration in shoots of SO₂-exposed plants increased linearly with time. SH accumulation showed saturation kinetics as a function of time as well as H₂S concentration, ascribed to the internal H₂S concentration in the plant and the availability of substrates for glutathione synthesis, respectively. SH compounds accumulated more at lower exposure temperatures, whereas sulfate accumulation was more pronounced at higher temperatures. These results are discussed in relation to the possible foliar uptake of H₂S and SO₂, the temperature dependence of uptake and the water solubility of these gases. The possibility of SO₂-induced H₂S emission rather than sulfate accumulation as a source for SH accumulation is also discussed. Cessation of fumigation resulted in a decrease in SH compounds and sulfate content that could be accounted for by sulfur metabolism and growth, respectively.     

Effects of SO2 on Photosynthesis and Nitrogen Fixation

Spikelets of Themeda triandra are dormant when mature and require an after-ripening period in dry storage of approximately 12 months before full germination potential is realized. Successful germination of spikelets entails the splitting of the tough upper glumes by radicles. Dormany appears to result from a combination of embryo dormancy and mechanically resistant glumes. Glume removal from dormant spikelets increases germination while glume removal plus gibberellic acid increases germination even more. During the after-ripening period, the growth potential of spikelets and caryopses increases as measured by their ability to germinate in the presence of the osmoticum polyethylene glycol 6000. The inhibition of germination by decreasing osmotic potential of the germination medium significantly interacts with the promotion caused by gibberellic acid indicating that both factors affect germination by altering the growth potential of the embryos. The increase in growth potential during after-ripening is probably related to the synthesis of gibberellin-like substances. It is hypothesized that dormancy breaking during after-ripening occurs because the growth potential of embryos increases and this consequently increases the ability of radicles to split the upper glumes during germination.     

SO2 and assimilatory sulfate reduction in beech leaves

The effect of SO₂ on the extractable activity of ATP sulfurylase (EC 2.7.7.4.). adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate sulfotransferase, ribulosebisphosphate carboxylase, chlorophyll, protein, sulfate, and amino acids was examined in leaves of potted grafts of beech ( Fagus sylvatica L.) treated in outdoor fumigation chambers. Addition of 0.025 and 0.075 μl SO₂ 1⁻¹ to unfiltered ambient air caused a decrease in the extractable activity of adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate sulfotransferase to about 20 to 30% of the controls. Neither the extractable activity of ATP sulfurylase and ribulosebisphosphate carboxylase nor the content in chlorophyll, total amino acids and protein were significantly affected by SO₂, but there was an increase in the sulfate content. Leaves treated with 0.075 μl SO₂ 1⁻¹ contained more alanine and cysteine and less serine than the controls. After transfer of the SO2-treated beech trees to control chambers there was an increase in adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate sulfotransferase activity, but no significant decrease in SO₂₋⁴-sulfur.     

Effects of atmospheric SO2 on Azolla and Anabaena symbiosis

The water fern Azolla pinnata R. Br. was fumigated for 1 week with either 25, 50 or 100 nl 1⁻¹ SO₂. The symbiosis of Azolla with Anabaena azollae (spp.) was severely damaged by atmospheric SO₂ even at concentrations as low as 25 nl 1⁻¹, with significant reductions in growth, reduction of C₂H₂, NH₃ assimilation, protein synthesis, and heterocyst development. These disturbances appear to be mainly responsible for the extreme sensitivity of this fern to atmospheric SO₂. Changes in violaxanthin/antheraxanthin and epoxy-lutein/lutein ratios also indicate that free radical products are induced by atmospheric SO₂. These results suggest that the Azolla-Anabaena symbiotic system is a very responsive and reliable lower plant model to study the detailed effects of total sulphur deposition upon the balances between various important plant metabolic processes.     

SO2-dependent cation competition and compartmentalization in Norway spruce needles

Ion contents in needles from Norway spruce trees [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] growing in Würzburg and in the SO₂-polluted Erzgebirge mountains were analysed to quantify cations which accumulate together with sulphate. In Würzburg there was a positive correlation of potassium (0.680 ± 0.300 Eq Eq^?1 SO₄^?2), magnesium (0.415 ± 0.111 Eq Eq^?1 SO₄^?2) and zinc (0.059 ± 0.006 Eq Eq^?1 SO₄^2?). In the Erzgebirge, potassium was also the stoichiometrically most important cation (0–887 ± 0–180 Eq K⁺ Eq^?1 SO₄^2?). All other correlations examined were weak or statistically non-significant. At both sites the calcium content of spruce needles did not depend on the sulphate content. The lack of a role for Ca²⁺ in neutralizing sulphate is a consequence of the presence of free oxalic acid in needles. Soluble oxalic acid precipitates Ca²⁺, which thereby becomes unavailable as a counterion for SO₄^2?. The activity coefficients of Ca²⁺ and oxalate^2?, and the solubility product of Ca-oxalate, were determined from in vivo data. It is concluded that the chronic accumulation of atmospheric sulphate in spruce needle vacuoles depletes available potassium and thereby strongly interferes with spruce growth and canopy turnover. This leads to impaired spruce vitality, even at sites where acute SO₂ disease symptoms are absent.     

Role of botrytized grape micro-organisms in SO2 binding phenomena

J.-C. BARBE, G. DE REVEL, A. JOYEUX, A. BERTRAND AND A. LONVAUD-FUNEL. 2001 .
Aims: The purpose of this work was to study the involvement of micro-organisms, which develop together with Botrytis cinerea on grapes, in the SO₂ binding power of musts.
Methods and Results: Yeasts and bacteria were involved. Most bacteria were acetic acid bacteria, mainly of the Gluconobacter genus. Unlike oxidative yeasts, Gluconobacter produce gluconic acid (in balance with δ-gluconolactone) from glucose, 5-oxofructose from fructose and dihydroxyacetone from glycerol. Production of carbonyl compounds from other sugars and polyols was not detected or was very weak.
Conclusions: Acetic acid bacteria are responsible for the increases in SO₂ binding power of musts from botrytized grapes by oxidizing the three main sugars of these grapes.
Significance and Impact of the Study: Up to 80% of the SO₂ binds with products of Gluconobacter which easily grow on 'botrytized' grapes. Depending on climatic conditions, some vintages are particularly difficult to stabilize.     

Differential expression of CuZn-superoxide dismutases in Pinus sylvestris needles exposed to SO2 and NO2

Mature Pinus sylvestris trees were exposed to air-pollution strees in an open field fumigation experiment. The trees were exposed to low-levels of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides throughout the whole growing season (June to October 1991). Three age-classes (current, one- and two-year-old) of needles were collected from exposed and control trees and the expression of chloroplastic and cytosolic CuZn-superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1) genes was studied. The levels of chloroplastic and cytosolic CuZn-SOD mRNA were significantly (up to 2.3-fold) higher in exposed trees for all age-classes of needles as compared to control trees. No significant differences were observed between different needle age-classes in CuZn-SOD mRNA induction. The chloroplastic and cytosolic CuZn-SOD mRNA were induced to the same extent, however, the level of chloroplastic CuZn-SOD mRNA was higher than the cytosolic one. Small differences were observed in CuZn-SOD mRNA levels for individual trees both within exposed and control areas. Protein activity measurements of the CuZn-SOD isozymes did not reveal any significant differences between control and exposed trees. The results are discussed in relation to protection against oxidant stress from air pollutants.