Pb-induced cellular defense system in the root meristematic cells of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Allium sativum</Emphasis> L

Background  

Electron microscopy (EM) techniques enable identification of the main accumulations of lead (Pb) in cells and cellular organelles and observations of changes in cell ultrastructure. Although there is extensive literature relating to studies on the influence of heavy metals on plants, Pb tolerance strategies of plants have not yet been fully explained. Allium sativum L. is a potential plant for absorption and accumulation of heavy metals. In previous investigations the effects of different concentrations (10^-5 to 10^-3 M) of Pb were investigated in A. sativum, indicating a significant inhibitory effect on shoot and root growth at 10^-3 to 10^-4 M Pb. In the present study, we used EM and cytochemistry to investigate ultrastructural alterations, identify the synthesis and distribution of cysteine-rich proteins induced by Pb and explain the possible mechanisms of the Pb-induced cellular defense system in A. sativum.     

Dual augmentation for aerobic bioremediation of MTBE and TCE pollution in heavy metal-contaminated soil

In this work we isolated from soil and characterized several bacterial strains capable of either resisting high concentrations of heavy metals (Cd²⁺ or Hg²⁺ or Pb²⁺) or degrading the common soil and groundwater pollutants MTBE (methyl-tert-butyl ether) or TCE (trichloroethylene). We then used soil microcosms exposed to MTBE (50 mg/l) or TCE (50 mg/l) in the presence of one heavy metal (Cd 10 ppm or Hg 5 ppm or Pb 50 or 100 ppm) and two bacterial isolates at a time, a degrader plus a metal-resistant strain. Some of these two-membered consortia showed degradation efficiencies well higher (49–182% higher) than those expected under the conditions employed, demonstrating the occurrence of a synergetic relationship between the strains used. Our results show the efficacy of the dual augmentation strategy for MTBE and TCE bioremediation in the presence of heavy metals.     

Effects of Rhamnolipids from Pseudomonas aeruginosa DS10-129 on Luminescent Bacteria: Toxicity and Modulation of Cadmium Bioavailability

In this study, the mixture of mono- and di-rhamnolipids produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa DS10-129 was characterized for its toxicity and modulatory effects on Cd availability to different bacteria. Gram-negative naturally bioluminescent Vibrio fischeri and recombinant bioluminescent Pseudomonas fluorescens, P. aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis were used as model organisms. Rhamnolipids reduced the bioluminescence of these bacteria in less than a second of exposure even in relatively low concentrations (30-min EC₅₀ 45–167 mg l⁻¹). Toxicity of Cd to Gram-negative bacteria (30-min EC₅₀ values 0.16 mg l⁻¹ for E. coli, 0.96 mg l⁻¹ for P. fluorescens, and 4.4 mg l⁻¹ for V. fischeri) was remarkably (up to 10-fold) reduced in the presence of 50 mg l⁻¹ rhamnolipids. Interestingly, the toxicity of Cd to Gram-positive B. subtilis (30-min EC₅₀ value 0.49 mg l⁻¹) was not affected by rhamnolipids. Rhamnolipids had an effect on desorption of Cd from soil: 40 mg l⁻¹ rhamnolipids increased the water-extracted fraction of Cd twice compared with untreated control. However, this additionally desorbed fraction of Cd remained bound with rhamnolipids and was not available to bacteria. Hence, in carefully chosen concentrations (still effectively complexing heavy metals but not yet toxic to soil bacteria), rhamnolipids could be applied in remediation of polluted areas.     

Differences on Pb accumulation among plant tissues of 25 varieties of maize ( Zea mays )

Pollution of agricultural land by heavy metals has imposed an increasingly serious risk to environmental and human health in recent years. Heavy metal pollutants may enter the human food chain through agricultural products and groundwater from the polluted soils. Progress has been made in the past decade on phytoremediation, a safe and inexpensive approach to remove contaminants from soil and water using plants. However, in most cases, agricultural land in China cannot afford to grow phytoremediator plants instead of growing crops due to food supply for the great population. Therefore, new and effective methods to decrease the risk of heavy metal pollution in crops and to clean the contaminated soils are urgently needed. If we can find crop germplasms (including species and varieties) that accumulate heavy metals in their edible parts, such as the leaves of vegetables or grains of cereals, at a level low enough for safe consumption, then we can grow these selected species or varieties in the lands contaminated or potentially contaminated by heavy metals. If we can find crop germplasms that take in low concentrations of heavy metals in their edible parts and high content of the metals in their inedible parts, then we can use these selected species or varieties for soil remediation. In this study, the feasibility of the method is assessed by analyzing Pb concentrations in edible and inedible parts of 25 varieties of maize (Zea mays) grown in Pb-contaminated soils. The soil concentrations of Pb were 595.55 mg/kg in the high Pb exposed treatment and 195.55 mg/kg in the control. The results showed that the Pb concentrations in different tissues were in the order of root > shoot ≅ leaf > grain. Compared with the control, the Pb concentrations in root, shoot and leaf were greatly increased under the high Pb exposed condition, while the increments of Pb concentration in grain were relatively lower. Under the high Pb exposure, the grain Pb concentrations of 12 varieties exceeded the maximal Pb limitation of the National Food Hygiene Standard of China (NFHSC) and were inedible. This indicates that there is a high Pb pollution risk for maize grown on Pb polluted sites. Although 22 of the 25 tested varieties had harvest loss under the highly Pb stressed condition, ranging from 0.86%–38.7% of the grain biomass acquired at the control, the average harvest loss of all the tested varieties was only 12.6%, which is usually imperceptible in normal farming practices. Therefore the risk of Pb pollution in maize products cannot be promptly noticed and prevented based only on the outcome of the harvest. However, we did find that 13 of the 25 tested varieties had grain Pb concentrations lower than the limitation of the NFHSC. It is, therefore, possible to reduce the pollution risk if these favorable varieties are used for maize production in Pb-contaminated or potentially contaminated agricultural lands. Pb concentrations in vegetative tissues (root, stem and leaf) were significantly correlated with each other, while Pb concentrations of each vegetative tissue were not significantly correlated with that of grain. Among the 25 tested varieties, some varieties had Pb concentrations in grain lower than (No.1–3 and No.6) or slightly above (No.4) the limitation of the NFHSC, while their Pb concentrations in the vegetative tissues were among the highest. When excluding these varieties, correlations between the Pb concentrations of grain and those of vegetative tissues of the rest of the tested varieties became highly significant. In addition, variety No. 1 had the lowest harvest loss under high Pb exposed, and the highest Pb accumulation in vegetative tissues (51.69 mg/plant, 12 times as much as in the control). Similar features were also observed in varieties No.3, No.3 and No.6, which absorbed Pb for 36–42 mg/plant under high Pb exposed. We recommend these varieties of maize to be used for bioremediation of Pb contaminated soil and crop production at the same time. Translated from Acta Phytoecologica Sina, 2006, 29(6): 992–999 [译自: 植物生态学报]     

Effect of heavy metals on the glutathione status in different ectomycorrhizal <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paxillus involutus</Emphasis> strains

The glutathione (GSH) status and heavy metal tolerance were investigated in four Paxillus involutus strains isolated from different heavy-metal-polluted and non-polluted regions of Europe. The heavy metal burden in the habitats did not affect significantly either the heavy metal (Cr₂O₇²⁻, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺) tolerance and accumulation or the GSH production of the strains tested. Exposures to heavy metals increased the intracellular GSH concentrations in 12 from 24 experimental arrangements (four strains exposed to six heavy metals) independently of the habitats of the strains. The importance of GSH in heavy metal tolerance (high MIC values, ability to accumulate heavy metals and to grow in the presence of heavy metals) was thus demonstrated in this ectomycorrhizal fungus.     

Biosorption of heavy metals by lyophilized cells of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas stutzeri</Emphasis>

Biosorptive capacity of Pb(II), Cd(II) and Cu(II) by lyophilized cells of Pseudomonas stutzeri was investigated based on Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. Biosorptive capacity for Pb(II), Cd(II) and Cu(II) decreased with an increase of metal concentration, reaching 142, 43.5 and 36.2 mg/g at initial concentration of 300 mg/l, respectively. Biosorption capacity for metal ions increased with increasing pH. The optimum pH for biosorption rate of Cd(II) and Cu(II) were 5.0, and 6.0 for Pb(II) biosorption. The experimental data showed a better fit with the Langmuir model over the Freundlich model for metal ions throughout the range of initial concentrations. The maximum sorptive capacity (q _max) obtained from the Langmuir equation for Pb(II), Cd(II) and Cu(II) were 153.3 (r ²  = 0.998), 43.86 (r ²  = 0.995), and 33.16 (r ²  = 0.997) for metal ions, respectively. The selectivity order for metal ions towards the biomass of P. stutzeri was Pb(II) > Cd(II) > Cu(II) for a given initial metal ions concentration. The interactions between heavy metals and functional groups on the cell wall surface of bacterial biomass were confirmed by FTIR analysis. The results of this study indicate the possible removal of heavy metals from the environment by using lyophilized cells of P. stutzeri.     

Response of in vitro strawberry to antibiotics

By identifying antibiotics that had the least phytotoxic effects on explants during genetic transformation, we evaluated the effect of various antibiotics on callus induction and morphogenesis from leaf explants and in vitro growth of Fragaria × ananassa Duch. cv. Toyonaka. Results showed that kanamycin (Kan) significantly inhibited callus induction, bud differentiation and root morphogenesis while carbenicillin (Carb), cefotaxime (Cef) and an equal concentration of Cef and Carb up to 500 mg L⁻¹ had no significant effects on callus induction and shoot growth. Kan, even at 2.5 mg L⁻¹, significantly inhibited callus induction, shoot regeneration and root formation, while no shoots regenerated at concentrations above 15 mg L⁻¹. Rooting was completely inhibited in the presence of 50 mg L⁻¹ Kan. Cef had negative effects on shoot regeneration from leaf explants and in vitro growth of strawberry. Compared to Cef, Carb at ≤300 mg L⁻¹ significantly promoted shoot and root organogenesis. However, an equal concentration of Carb plus Cef could alleviate the negative effect of Cef on strawberry. Results from relative electrolyte leakage, root and antioxidant activities, O₂^·− production rate, H₂O₂, proline and MDA contents showed that Kan, Cef and Carb caused electrolyte leakage and triggered active enzymatic processes and metabolism. This offers a possible mechanism for the inhibition or stimulation of strawberry growth caused by these antibiotics.     

Desarrollo de un bioadsorbente laminar con Phanerochaete chrysosporium hipertolerante al cadmio,al níquel y al plomo para el tratamiento de aguas

BackgroundThe use of basidiomycetes for metal removal is an alternative to traditional methods. In this, the biomass acts as a natural ionic exchanger removing metals from solution.ObjectiveTo develop a laminar biosorbent using a basidiomycete fungus resistant to high Cd, Ni and Pb concentrations.MethodsThe tolerance of Trametes versicolor, Pleurotus ostreatus and Phanerochaete chrysosporium was evaluated using increasing concentrations of the heavy metal salts, cadmium sulphate, lead acetate and nickel chloride. A biosorbent system was developed based on polyethylene sheets with a fungal biomass. It was evaluated in bubble columns using synthetic wastewater with the 3 metal salts at a rate of 300 mg/l. Finally, in a complementary experiment using shake flasks, the effect of a higher amount of biomass related to the metal removal efficiency was evaluated.ResultsP. chrysosporium strain was more tolerant to C₄H₆O₄Pb (10,000 mg/l), Cl₂Ni (300 mg/l) and CdSO₄·8H₂O (1,500 mg/l). In a reactor, under non-ligninolytic conditions, the fungus removed 69% of the chemical oxygen demand and produced enzymes such as LiP (0.01 U/l) and MnP (0.6 U/l.). An accumulation of metals in the wall was observed. By increasing the biomass to 1.6 (w/v), the metal biosorption was favored in the mixture (57% Pb, 74% Cd, and 98% Ni) and separately (95% Pb, 60% Cd, and 56% Ni). Competition between Ni and Pb by ligands of the wall was observed.ConclusionA novel laminar system based on P. chrysosporium viable biomass was developed. It has a large surface area and tolerance to high concentrations of Cd, Ni and Pb. It seems to be an alternative for the removal of metals from water.     

The effect of organochlorines and heavy metals on sex steroid-binding proteins in vitro in the plasma of nesting green turtles, Chelonia mydas

In this study on green turtles, Chelonia mydas, from Peninsular Malaysia, the effect of selected environmental toxicants was examined in vitro. Emphasis was placed on purported hormone-mimicking chemicals such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene, dieldrin, lead, zinc and copper. Five concentrations were used: high (1 mg/L), medium (10⁻¹ mg/L), low (10⁻² mg/L), very low (10⁻⁶ mg/L) and control (diluted carrier solvent but no toxicants). The results suggest that environmental pesticides and heavy metals may significantly alter the binding of steroids [i.e. testosterone (T) and oestradiol] to the plasma proteins in vitro. Competition studies showed that only Cu competed for binding sites with testosterone in the plasma collected from nesting C. mydas. Dieldrin and all heavy metals competed with oestradiol for binding sites. Furthermore, testosterone binding affinity was affected at various DDT concentrations and was hypothesised that DDT in vivo may act to inhibit steroid-protein interactions in nesting C. mydas. Although the precise molecular mechanism is yet to be described, DDT could have an effect upon the protein conformation thus affecting T binding (e.g. the T binding site on the steroid hormone binding protein molecule).     

A simple and efficient protocol for cryopreservation of embryogenic calli of the medicinal plant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anemarrhena asphodeloides</Emphasis> Bunge by vitrification

Somatic embryogenesis and whole plant regeneration was achieved in callus cultures derived from immature zygotic embryos of Prosopis laevigata (Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) M.C. Johnst., recently identified as chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni) accumulator. Embryogenic calli were induced on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium added with a mixture of organic components plus N-6 benzyladenine (BA) (6.62 μM) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) (2.26 μM) or thidiazuron (4.54–9.08 μM) and indole-3-acetic acid (1.42 μM). Embryogenic calli transferred onto half-strength MS medium without plant growth regulators developed globular embryos, of which 20% matured when treated with 3.75% (w/v) polyethylene glycol (PEG), and of these 50% fully differentiated into plantlet embryo. Regenerated plants were successfully acclimatized (90%), while in vitro seedlings transferred to MS medium containing 0.5 mM Cd, Cr, Ni or Pb, exhibited high heavy metals accumulation (627 mg Cr kg⁻¹, 5,688 mg Cd kg⁻¹, 1,148 mg Ni kg⁻¹, and 3,037 mg Pb kg⁻¹ dry weight) and efficient roots to shoots translocation (42–73%).     

Impact of environmental pollution on cyanobacterial proline content

This study describes the toxic effects of different prominent aquatic pollutants—heavy metals (Cd & Pb), pesticides (alphamethrin and deltamethrin) and salt (NaCl)—on the intracellular proline content in the cyanobacterium, Westiellopsis prolifica–Janet strain–NCCU331. Despite a reduction in growth (measured as chlorophyll a content), the intracellular proline content increased in the presence of heavy metals, pesticides and high salt concentration. The intracellular cyanobacterial proline accumulation was more pronounced under salt stress than in the presence of pesticides and heavy metals. We have also compared whether or not anionic components influence heavy metal toxicity. It was found that the chlorides of Cd and Pb were more toxic than the NO₃ and the order of toxicity was CdCl₂ > PbCl₂ > Cd (NO₃)₂ > Pb (NO₃)₂. Among pyrethroids, deltamethrin was more toxic than alphamethrin. Presented at the 6th Meeting of the Asian Pacific Society of Applied Phycology, Manila, Philippines.     

Effect of lead (Pb) on the systemic movement of RNA viruses in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum var. Turkish)

Effect of various lead (Pb) concentrations on the systemic movement of RNA viruses was examined in tobacco plants. Prior to inoculation, plants were grown hydroponically for 6 days in Hoagland’s solution supplemented with five concentrations of lead nitrate [Pb(NO₃)₂]: 0.0 (control), 10, 15, 50, and 100 μM. Four different RNA viruses with different cell-to-cell movement mechanisms were used. Two weeks after inoculation lower and upper leaves of each treatment were harvested and examined for the presence of viral coat protein. In plants inoculated with Tobacco mosaic virus, Potato virus X, and Tobacco etch virus, TEM images and western blot assays confirmed the presence of viral coat proteins in the upper leaves of all lead treatments. However, in plants inoculated with Turnip vein-clearing virus (TVCV), no signs of viral particles were detected in the upper leaves of plants treated with 10 μM or 15 μM lead nitrate. In contrast, plants treated with high concentrations of lead nitrate (50 μM or 100 μM) showed viral particles in their upper leaves. In plants treated with 10 μM or 15 μM lead nitrate, callose accumulation was the same as in control plants. This suggests that non-toxic concentrations of lead nitrate may trigger the production of putative cellular factors in addition to callose that interfere with the TVCV systemic movement. In contrast, plants treated with 100 μM lead nitrate showed less callose as compared to control plants, facilitating the systemic movement of TVCV.     

Bioremediation of Heavy Metals in Liquid Media Through Fungi Isolated from Contaminated Sources

Wastewater particularly from electroplating, paint, leather, metal and tanning industries contain enormous amount of heavy metals. Microorganisms including fungi have been reported to exclude heavy metals from wastewater through bioaccumulation and biosorption at low cost and in eco-friendly way. An attempt was, therefore, made to isolate fungi from sites contaminated with heavy metals for higher tolerance and removal of heavy metals from wastewater. Seventy-six fungal isolates tolerant to heavy metals like Pb, Cd, Cr and Ni were isolated from sewage, sludge and industrial effluents containing heavy metals. Four fungi (Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Aspegillus awamori, Aspergillus flavus, Trichoderma viride) also were included in this study. The majority of the fungal isolates were able to tolerate up to 400 ppm concentration of Pb, Cd, Cr and Ni. The most heavy metal tolerant fungi were studied for removal of heavy metals from liquid media at 50 ppm concentration. Results indicated removal of substantial amount of heavy metals by some of the fungi. With respect to Pb, Cd, Cr and Ni, maximum uptake of 59.67, 16.25, 0.55, and 0.55 mg/g was observed by fungi Pb3 (Aspergillus terreus), Trichoderma viride, Cr8 (Trichoderma longibrachiatum), and isolate Ni27 (A. niger) respectively. This indicated the potential of these fungi as biosorbent for removal of heavy metals from wastewater and industrial effluents containing higher concentration of heavy metals.     

Factors affecting immobilization of heavy metals by purple nonsulfur bacteria isolated from contaminated shrimp ponds

In order to remove heavy metals (HMs) from contaminated shrimp pond at the highest concentrations found of; 0.75 mg/l Cd²⁺, 62.63 mg/l Pb²⁺, 34.60 mg/l Cu²⁺ and 58.50 mg/l Zn²⁺, two strains of purple nonsulfur bacteria isolated from shrimp ponds (NW16 and KMS24) were investigated for their ability to immobilize HMs in 3% NaCl in both microaerobic-light and aerobic-dark conditions. Based on metabolic inhibition and metabolic-dependent studies, it was concluded that both strains removed HMs using biosorption and also bioaccumulation. The efficiency of removal by both strains with both incubating conditions tested was in the order of lead (Pb) > copper (Cu) > zinc (Zn) > cadmium (Cd). Optimal conditions for removal of HMs by strain NW16 were; cells in the log phase at 4.5 mg DCW/ml, pH 6.0, and 30°C for 30 min. With microaerobic-light conditions, the relative percent removal of HMs was: Pb, 83; Cu, 59; Zn, 39; Cd, 23 and slightly more with the aerobic-dark conditions (Pb, 90; Cu, 69; Zn, 46; Cd, 28). Cells in the log phase at 5.0 mg DCW/ml, pH 5.5, and 35°C for 45 min were optimal conditions for strain KMS24 and there were no significant differences for the removal percentages of HMs with either incubating conditions (averages: Pb, 96; Cu, 75; Zn, 46; Cd, 30). The presence of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ significantly decreased the removal capacity of HMs for both strains.     

Bioaccumulation of Trace Elements in Trophic Levels of Wetland Plants and Waterfowl Birds

Present study investigates relationships between total and bioaccessibility of trace elements (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, NI, Pb, V, and Zn) concentrations in sediment and their bioaccumulation in species in Shadegan wetland in southwest of Iran. Bioavailability factor (BAF) and translocation factor (TF) were calculated in plants and trophic transfer factor (TTF) was determined in bird species. For this purpose, sampling of sediments, aquatic plants including Phragmites australis, Typha australis, Scripus maritimus and two bird species encircling Porphyrio porphyrio and globally threatened Marmaronetta angustirostris were carried out during winter 2009. Result of chemical analysis show that bioaccessibility concentrations of Mn (8.31 mg/kg), V (1.33 mg/kg), and Pb (1.03 mg/kg) are higher than other metals. The uptake trend of trace elements in plant decreases as root > stem > leaf. Accumulation levels of trace elements in different tissues of P. porphyrio and M. angustirostris are almost identical and considerable. Accumulation and toxicity of Cd in birds is more than plants. In addition, BAF of V, Pb, and Cr indicates high accumulation by plants and great pollution rate in the area of study. In S. maritimus TF for Mn, Cu, Pb, and V are high whereas in T. australis, Cu and Pb posses the highest TF. Also Cr, Co, Mn, Ni, and Zn have higher TF from stem to leaf than root to stem in P. australis. Finally, TTFs were compared in various bird species.     

Characteristics of the phytoplankton community and bioaccumulation of heavy metals during algal blooms in Xiangjiang River (Hunan,China)

The frequency of algal blooms has increased in the mid and downstream reaches of the Xiangjiang River (Hunan, China), one of the most heavily polluted rivers in China. We identified the bloom-forming species in a bloom that occurred mid-late September 2010. In addition, we determined the extent of metal bioaccumulation in the algae and measured the toxicity of the algae using a mouse bioassay. Water samples were collected at upstream (Yongzhou), midstream (Hengyang), and downstream (Zhuzhou, Xiangtan, and Changsha) sites. The dominant species was Aulacoseira granulata, formerly known as Melosira granulata. The heaviest bloom occurred at Xiangtan and Changsha, where the number of A. granulata peaked at 1.3×10⁵ filaments L⁻¹ and chlorophyll a at 0.04 mg L⁻¹. Concentrations of Al, Fe, and Mn were 4.4×10³, 768.4, and 138.7 mg kg⁻¹ dry weight in the phytoplankton. The bioaccumulation factor was 4.0×10⁵, 7.7×10⁵, and 3.2×10³, respectively. The heavy metal Pb had the greatest tendency to bioaccumulate among the highly toxic heavy metals, with a concentration of 19.2 mg kg⁻¹ dry weight and bioaccumulation factor of 9.6×10³. The mouse bioassay suggested the bloom was toxic. The LD₅₀ was 384 mg kg⁻¹ and all surviving mice lost weight during the first 72 h after exposure. Our results demonstrate that blooms of A. granulata in rivers contaminated with heavy metals pose a threat to freshwater ecosystems and human health. Thus, measures should be taken to control eutrophication and heavy metal pollution in such rivers.     

Effects of gibberellin GA7 on kinetics of growth and tropane alkaloid accumulation in hairy roots of Brugmansia candida

Summary Brugmansia candida, an indigenous South American plant, produces the tropane alkaloids scopolamine and hyoscyamine, which are widely employed in medicine as anticholinergic agents. In this research, hairy roots of Brugmansia candida, obtained through infection with Agrobacterium rhizogenes LBA 9402, were employed to produce these tropane alkaloids in vitro. The effects of different concentrations of GA₇ on kinetics of growth and alkaloid accumulation on two different hairy root clones of B. candida were analyzed, and the influence of GA₇ on the number of new branches and rates of elongation was also studied. On clone 7A, GA₇ at concentrations of 10⁻⁴, 10⁻¹, and 1 mg/l increased the exponential growth rate. Levels of 10⁻¹ and 10⁻⁴ mg/l GA₇ elevated the scopolamine/hyoscyamine (S/H) ratios in the early phases of growth, but the sum of scopolamine plus hyoscyamine per flask (S + H) decreased during that period. When 1 mg/l GA₇ was used, the highest S/H ratios were observed in late exponential/early stationary phases, but the highest S + H totals were obtained in mid-exponential phase. GA₇ at levels of 10⁻¹ and, especially, 1 mg/l exerted a positive effect on formation, emergence, and rate of elongation of lateral roots (clone 7A). On clone 7B, levels of 10⁻¹ and 1 mg/l GA₇ did not alter significantly the exponential growth rate. GA₇ in concentrations of 10⁻¹ mg/l induced increases in both S/H ratio and S + H totals in late phases of growth.     

Effects of Cadmium,Copper, Lead,and Zinc Contamination on Metal Accumulation by Safflower and Wheat

Accumulation of heavy metals (HMs) in cultivated soils is a continuing environmental problem in many parts of the world. An increase in HM concentration can enhance uptake of toxic metals by crops and enter the human food chain. In this study, the uptake behavior of wheat and safflower was evaluated in a calcareous soil by using 12 undisturbed columns in which half were artificially contaminated. Heavy metals in the form of CdCl₂ (15 mg Cd kg^{? 1}), CuSO₄ (585 mg Cu kg^{? 1}), Pb(NO₃)₂ (117 mg Pb kg^{? 1}), and ZnCl₂ (1094 mg Zn kg^{? 1}) were sprayed on the soil surface and completely mixed in the top 10 cm. The background total concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn were 1.6, 29.5, 17.5 and 61.2 mg kg^{? 1}, respectively. After metal application, half of the columns (3 contaminated and 3 uncontaminated) were sown with wheat (Triticum aestivum) and the other half with safflower (Carthamus tinctorious) and grown for 74 days until maturity. After harvesting, soil columns were cut into 10-cm sections and analyzed for HNO₃- and DTPA-extractable metal concentrations. Metal concentrations were also measured in different plant tissues. The results showed that artificial contamination of topsoil decreased the transpiration rate of wheat by 12% and that of safflower by 6%. In contaminated columns, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn accumulation in wheat shoot was greater by 8.0-, 1.9-, 3.0-, and 2.1-fold than the control, respectively. Accordingly, these numbers were 46.0-, 1.3-, 1.7-, and 1.6-fold in safflower shoot. Soil contamination with HMs resulted in a 55% decrease in shoot dry matter yield of wheat while it had no significant effect on shoot dry matter of safflower. The normalized water consumption for safflower was therefore not affected by metal contamination (≈ 13 mm H₂O g^{? 1} of dry weight for all safflower and uncontaminated wheat treatments), while contaminated wheat was much less water efficient at about 27 mm H₂O g^{? 1} dry weight. It was concluded that although artificial contamination had a negative effect on wheat growth, it did not affect safflower's normal growth and water efficiency.     

Silicate-Mediated Alleviation of Pb Toxicity in Banana Grown in Pb-Contaminated Soil

Silicate (Si) can enhance plant resistance or tolerance to the toxicity of heavy metals. However, it remains unclear whether Si can ameliorate lead (Pb) toxicity in banana (Musa xparadisiaca) roots. In this study, treatment with 800 mg kg⁻¹ Pb decreased both the shoot and root weight of banana seedlings. The amendment of 800 mg kg⁻¹ Si (sodium metasilicate, Na₂SiO₃·9H₂O) to the Pb-contaminated soil enhanced banana biomass at two growth stages significantly. The amendment of 800 mg kg⁻¹ Si significantly increased soil pH and decreased exchangeable Pb, thus reducing soil Pb availability, while Si addition of 100 mg kg⁻¹ did not influence soil pH. Results from Pb fractionation analysis indicated that more Pb were in the form of carbonate and residual-bound fractions in the Si-amended Pb-contaminated soils. The ratio of Pb-bound carbonate to the total Pb tended to increase with increasing growth stages. Treatment with 100 mg kg⁻¹ Si had smaller effects on Pb forms in the Si-amended soils than that of 800 mg kg⁻¹ Si. Pb treatment decreased the xylem sap greatly, but the addition of Si at both levels increased xylem sap and reduced Pb concentration in xylem sap significantly in the Si-amended Pb treatments. The addition of Si increased the activities of POD, SOD, and CAT in banana roots by 14.2% to 72.1% in the Si-amended Pb treatments. The results suggested that Si-enhanced tolerance to Pb toxicity in banana seedlings was associated with Pb immobilization in the soils, the decrease of Pb transport from roots to shoots, and Si-mediated detoxification of Pb in the plants.     

Bioaccumulation and rhizofiltration potential of Pistia stratiotes L. for mitigating water pollution in the Egyptian wetlands

The bioaccumulation and rhizofiltration potential of P. stratiotes for heavy metals were investigated to mitigate water pollution in the Egyptian wetlands. Plant and water samples were collected monthly through nine quadrats equally distributed along three sites at Al-Sero drain in Giza Province. The annual mean of the shoot biomass was 10 times that of the root. The concentrations of shoot heavy metals fell in the order: Fe < Mn < Cr < Pb < Cu < Zn < Ni < Co < Cd, while that of the roots were: Fe < Mn < Cr < Pb < Zn < Ni < Co < Cu < Cd. The bio-concentration factor (BCF) of most investigated heavy metals, except Cr and Pb, was greater than 1000, while the translocation factor (TF) of most investigated metals, except Pb and Cu, did not exceed one. The rhizofiltration potential (RP) of heavy metals was higher than 1000 for Fe, and 100 for Cr, Pb and Cu. Significant positive correlations between Fe and Cu in water with those in plant roots and leaves, respectively were recorded, which, in addition to the high BCF and RP, indicate the potential use of P. stratiotes in mitigating these toxic metals.