湿地植物根系泌氧及其在自然基质中的扩散效应研究进展

湿地植物根系径向泌氧(ROL)是构造根际氧化-还原异质微生态系统的核心要素,其扩散层为好氧、厌氧微生物提供了良好生境并促进其代谢活动,使湿地植物根际成为有机物降解、物质循环及生命活动最为强烈的场所,已有成果证明湿地植物根系ROL的强弱与污染物的去除效果密切相关。因此,开展湿地植物根系ROL及其在自然基质中的扩散效应研究,对于了解湿地植物根系ROL机理及其根际氧环境特征,进而发挥湿地植物的污染去除功能具有十分重要的意义。基于此,首先归纳了湿地植物根系ROL特征及其受影响机制的研究现状,而后从种属差异、时空分布及对微生物的影响等方面对根系ROL在自然基质中的扩散效应国内外研究成果进行了总结,最终根据研究现状与不足对今后的研究方向进行了简要展望。创新之处在于:1)提出影响根系氧供给及氧输送释放通道的环境、生物等因素,阐述了其对根系ROL的影响机制;2)着重阐述了目前研究较少提及的根系ROL扩散效应测定方法。     

Cd胁迫下黄菖蒲幼苗根系生长与Cd积累的研究

采用水培法研究了Cd胁迫对黄菖蒲（Iris pseudacorus L．）幼苗根系生长和Cd含量的影响,用透射电镜观察了Cd胁迫对根尖细胞亚显微结构的影响并确定了Cd沉积部位。结果表明,10mg·L^-1 Cd处理对黄菖蒲幼苗根系的生长有一定促进作用,根毛数量及不定根上侧根的数量、密度和长度均高于对照;Cd浓度高于25mg·L^-1时,根系的生长发育受到抑制,上述指标均显著低于对照。用10～40mg·L^-1 Cd处理后,黄菖蒲幼苗不定根上侧根中的Cd含量均显著高于未长侧根的不定根和去掉侧根的不定根（P〈0．05）,说明不定根上的侧根对Cd沉积有重要作用。100mg·L^-1 Cd处理能导致根尖细胞质浓缩、质壁分离和液泡变大,且大量Cd颗粒沉积在细胞壁上和细胞间隙中,表明细胞壁和细胞间隙对Cd的沉积作用可能是黄菖蒲幼苗耐Cd胁迫的重要机理之一。     

根区通氧状况对水稻幼苗生长及吸收镉的影响

采用水培的方法研究了根区通氧状况对水稻根系结构、根系泌氧、根表铁膜生成以及水稻耐受、吸收Cd的影响.水培条件下,根区氧处理对水稻幼苗的生长产生了一定的影响,缺氧条件下的水稻根的伸长量降低,生物量增加,直径增粗,根系泌氧量增加,并降低幼苗对Cd的吸收.当培养溶液Cd2+浓度为1.0 mg/L时,缺氧处理相对于通氧处理,根表吸附的Cd降低了85 5%,地下部分吸收的Cd降低了35%,转运到地上部分的Cd降低了58%.根表铁膜对Cd的吸收和转运也有一定的抑制作用,但其作用因环境中Cd2+浓度和根区通氧状况而异.在根区通氧充分的培养条件下,水稻幼苗铁膜对较高浓度Cd2+(1.0 mg/L)的吸收和转运起着重要的作用,DCB-Cd占根系吸收Cd的50%,茎叶对Cd的吸收显著降低(p<0.05).研究表明在缺氧胁迫下,根系结构本身(如根表通透性降低)是影响水稻吸收Cd的重要因素.     

水稻根系通气组织与根系泌氧及根际硝化作用的关系

通过根箱土培试验研究了不同产量籼稻品种中旱22(ZH,高产品种)及禾盛10号(HS,低产品种)苗期根系生长、通气组织发育、根系径向泌氧量(radial oxygen loss,ROL)以及根表和根际土壤硝化强度差异。结果表明,除水稻播种40 d时二者根数量和根干重无显著差异外,ZH根直径、根数量和根干重均显著高于HS,二者差异尤其表现在根系生物量差异。两个水稻品种在距根尖20 mm处均可见辐射状通气组织,ZH皮层薄壁细胞已经完全崩溃形成连接中柱和外皮层的纵向气腔,而HS皮层薄壁细胞未发生完全离解,但仍能观察到明显的连接中柱和外皮层的纵向气腔的形成。同时ZH外皮层厚壁细胞体积较小,排列紧密,细胞壁增厚程度大;而HS外皮层厚壁细胞体积相对较大,排列疏松,细胞壁增厚程度相对较小。表明高产品种通气组织发育比低产品种更加完善,表现为ZH根孔隙度(porosity of root,POR)显著高于HS,且高产品种对水稻根系ROL的屏蔽作用较低产品种更强,为根系提供更充足的氧气供应,促进根系生长。除了水稻播种后40 d时ZH和HS单根ROL无显著差异外(P<0.05),ZH单株、单位重量以及单根ROL均显著高于HS(P<0.01)。两个水稻品种硝化强度均表现为根际土壤显著高于根表土壤 (P<0.01),前者大约是后者的3-6倍。两个品种根表土壤硝化强度无显著差异,而ZH根际土壤硝化强度均显著高于HS。相关性分析结果表明水稻根际土壤硝化强度和整株水稻ROL呈极显著正相关关系(r=0.803,P<0.01),和水稻POR也呈现极显著正相关关系(r=0.808,P<0.01),同时和根系直径、数量和干重均呈极显著正相关关系(P<0.01)。而根表土壤硝化强度和以上指标均无相关关系。由于硝化作用是好氧过程,因此高产品种由于根系发达,通气组织发育好,相应ROL也较大,造成根际土壤氧气含量高,从而可能导致根际土壤硝化强度显著高于低产品种。     

水体泥沙对菖蒲和石菖蒲生长发育的影响

三峡库区消落带植物恢复不仅面临长期淹水逆境,还面临高水位落差、反季节消落等环境因素的胁迫。菖蒲和石菖蒲是库区常见的两种湿生植物,探讨它们在泥沙水体中的生长发育,有利于为三峡库区消落带植被恢复的物种选择提供科学依据。用粒径小于100μm的泥沙分别配置浊度为30、60和90NTU的浑浊水体,8月将菖蒲(Acorus calamus L.)和石菖蒲(Acorus tatarinowii S.)植株分别种植于上述水体中,翌年4月统计植株的萌发数、叶长、叶宽、叶片数,利用水下饱和脉冲荧光仪(DIVING-PAM)测定叶片的快速光响应曲线。结果表明,各浊度组植株的萌发率与对照组相同,30NTU组石菖蒲和菖蒲的植株数显著多于对照组,且石菖蒲的植株数随水体浊度增加呈增多趋势,而菖蒲的植株数呈相反趋势。石菖蒲和菖蒲30NTU组植株的叶长、叶宽以及总叶片数、总叶长均显著大于对照组;石菖蒲60NTU组和90NTU组植株的叶长、叶宽和总叶长显著小于对照组(P<0.05),而菖蒲60NTU组的叶长、叶宽和叶片数显著大于对照组(P<0.01),90NTU组植株的叶长、叶宽和叶片数与对照组无显著差异(P>0.05),且菖蒲60NTU组和90NTU组植株的总叶片数和总叶长均显著低于对照组(P<0.01)。由快速光响应曲线可知,在较高光强照射下各浊度组植株的光化学荧光淬灭系数(qP)、非光化学淬灭系数(qN)和相对电子传递速率(rETR)均显著降低,但在低光下各浊度组植株的qP、qN和rETR均显著高于对照组,且菖蒲对低光的耐受范围大于石菖蒲。因而,菖蒲和石菖蒲均能长期生长于浅(0.9m)的悬浮泥沙水体中,具有一定的耐淹能力。     

土壤石砾含量对掌叶木幼苗生长和根系特征的影响

为探讨土壤石砾含量对珍稀濒危植物掌叶木幼苗生长和根系的影响,该研究以1个月生掌叶木幼苗为试验材料,进行5种不同土壤石砾含量[0(CK),20%,40%,60%和80%]盆栽试验,筛选最适宜掌叶木幼苗生长的土壤石砾含量。结果表明:(1)土壤石砾含量对掌叶木幼苗生长有极显著影响,其中幼苗苗高和地径相对增长率、叶面积、苗木质量指数、生物量(根、叶和全株)和根冠比均在土壤石砾含量为40%时最大。(2)土壤石砾含量对掌叶木幼苗根系形态具有极显著影响,总根长和根表面积在土壤石砾含量为40%时最大; 而根系平均直径随石砾含量增加逐渐减小,当土壤石砾含量高达80%时,根系平均直径最小。(3)土壤石砾含量对掌叶木幼苗根系拓扑结构和分形特征无显著影响,而对根系平均连接长度和分叉数有极显著影响,其中各处理根系拓扑指数(TI)、修正拓扑指数(q_a和q_b)均趋近于1,即掌叶木幼苗根系在不同土壤石砾含量中分支模式更趋近于鱼尾形分支; 根系平均连接长度随石砾含量增加先增大后减小,在土壤石砾含量40%时最大; 根系分叉数随石砾含量增加逐渐减小。(4)综合评价幼苗生长和根系形态与构型指标表明,掌叶木幼苗在40%土壤石砾含量中地下根系和地上茎叶生长状况最好。因此,土壤添加适量石砾能促进掌叶木幼苗生长,当石砾含量为40%时幼苗生长效果最好,苗木质量指数最高,最适宜掌叶木幼苗生长。     

模拟增雨对荒漠植物幼苗生长和根系形态的影响

降雨是荒漠生态系统过程和功能的最重要限制因子,荒漠植物幼苗对生长季降雨的变化极端敏感。为探讨荒漠植物对未来降雨格局变化的响应,选取乌兰布和沙漠两种典型荒漠植物幼苗(白刺和油蒿)为研究对象,根据生长季内(6—9月)每次降雨量,进行不同梯度的人工模拟增雨试验(CK:自然降雨、A:增雨25%、B:增雨50%、C:增雨75%、D:增雨100%),研究两种植物幼苗生长和根系形态特征对降雨量变化的响应。结果表明:(1)不同增雨处理对白刺和油蒿幼苗的地上部生长有显著影响(P<0.05),增雨处理的白刺和油蒿幼苗的株高、平均冠幅和基径显著高于CK,并随着增雨量的增大而增大(白刺基径除外);(2)增雨处理之间、白刺和油蒿之间在总根长、总表面积、平均直径、总体积、根尖数和分叉数均有显著差异(P<0.05)。对白刺幼苗而言,B处理和C处理的根系参数均显著大于CK、A和D处理,且B和C处理之间没有显著差异(平均直径除外);对油蒿幼苗而言,随着增雨量的增加,油蒿总根长、总表面积、总体积、根尖数和分叉数呈现逐渐增加的趋势,而平均直径呈现先增加后降低的趋势,且在B处理下达到最大值。(3)增雨处理显著降低...     

钝顶螺旋藻在不同光照条件下的放氧特性

钝顶螺旋藻在持续照光和中等频率 (0.01~20 Hz) 的光/暗交替照光下的放氧特性对光生物反应器的设计和操作具有重要意义。构建了一套可实现光/暗交替的光生物反应器系统对此进行研究,结果显示：根据与放氧速率的关系,可以将光强分为4个区：光限制区 (0~335 μmol/(m2·s)),过渡区 (335~875 μmol/(m2·s)),光饱和区 (875~2 775 μmol/(m2·s)) 以及光抑制区 (2 775 μmol/(m2·s)以上)。提高光/暗频率能否提高微藻光合速率取决于所采用的光强和     

模拟酸雨对蒙古栎幼苗生长和根系伤流量的影响

选择中国北方落叶阔叶林的主要组成树种蒙古栎(Quercus mongolica Fisch.ex Ledeb.)的1年生幼苗为研究对象,设置4个酸雨酸度(重度、中度、轻度和对照)和3个降雨量(自然雨量和增、减雨量30％),以期阐明酸雨对蒙古栎幼苗形态生长、生物量和根系伤流量的影响,探讨中国北方日趋严重的酸雨是否会影响蒙古栎幼苗的生长,为酸雨区森林恢复植物的选择提供依据.研究结果显示:1)在本实验的酸雨酸度下,酸雨降雨量的增加对蒙古栎幼苗各生理生态指标均有一定的促进作用;2)酸雨酸度对蒙古栎幼苗形态和生物量的影响不显著,但酸度增加降低了幼苗的根系伤流量;3)增雨的重度酸雨处理促进了蒙古栎幼苗形态生长和生物量累积;4)两因素对蒙古栎幼苗的影响没有交互作用.说明蒙古栎对酸雨具有一定的抗性,可考虑选择为酸雨区植被构建的物种.     

水培条件下两种植物根系分泌特征及其与污染物去除的关系

分别以黑臭河涌污水和霍格兰营养液作为培养液,选取种内个体大小基本一致的风车草(Cyperus alternifolius)和美人蕉(Canna indica)各2株分别水培于2种培养液中,研究经污水驯化和营养液培养后植物的生长状况、根系分泌物、根系径向泌氧以及污水净化效果。结果表明,美人蕉在营养液中的增长速率明显高于污水,而风车草在2种培养液中的增长速率相差不大。2种植物在2种培养液中的单位重量分泌能力存在显著差异。在经过污水及营养液培养后,风车草单位重量分泌能力均高于美人蕉;就单种植物而言,污水水培的植株单位重量分泌能力均高于营养液水培的植株。风车草(营养液)、风车草(污水)、美人蕉(营养液)和美人蕉(污水)的最大分泌量分别为2.89、34.76、1.28、1.82 mg·g-1·d-1。在2种培养液中,风车草的根系泌氧速率均明显高于美人蕉。就单种植物而言,经污水驯化的植物,其泌氧速率均高于营养液中培植的植物,风车草(污水)泌氧速率最大,为0.92μmol O2·h-1·g-1(植株)或6.69μmol O2·h-1·g-1(根),美人蕉(营养液)泌氧速率最小,为0.20μmol O2·h-1·g-1(植株)或1.15μmol O2·h-1·g-1(根)。植物经过一段适应期后,对氨氮、TN、TP的去除率稳定达到90%以上;COD的去除率整体不高,单位重量的风车草和美人蕉对COD的去除量分别为6.95±1.78和1.35±0.52 mg·g-1,而对TP的去除量最小,分别为0.28±0.06和0.06±0.02 mg·g-1。对于COD、氨氮、TN和TP,风车草的单位重量去除量显著高于美人蕉,这与风车草根系分泌有机物能力及根系泌氧能力较美人蕉强有明显的一致性。研究表明,采用风车草作为浮床植物应用于污染水体修复,能达到更佳的效果。     

土壤逐渐干旱对菖蒲生长及光合荧光特性的影响

在土壤逐渐干旱过程中,连续测定典型湿地植物菖蒲生长发育状况及叶片叶绿素荧光参数,结果表明:短期内(实验第O-3天)土壤水分含量下降(土壤含水率自53.86％下降至42.6％)有利于菖蒲生长,干旱组菖蒲叶片Fv/ Fm、Yield、qP显著高于对照组(实验期间土壤平均含水率为53.49±0.6％)(P＜0.05),qN则低于对照组;随着土壤进一步干旱(土壤含水率自42.6％下降至18.02％,实验第3-9天),菖蒲叶片qN值则由0迅速上升至0.403,显著高于对照组(P＜0.05),Fv/Fm值与对照相比无显著差异(P＞0.05),叶片保持较高的热耗散以维持光合结构PSⅡ保持正常,并能以降低叶片含水率、叶面积(叶片卷曲避光)减少水分蒸腾及降低根系含水率促进水分吸收的方式进行自我保护;随着土壤干旱程度加剧(土壤含水率自18.02％下降至4.5％、实验第9-12天),菖蒲叶片Fv/ Fm、yield、qP值显著低于对照组(P＜0.05),qN值降为0,光合结构PSⅡ受到损坏,第11天、12天,叶片含水率分别降至75.79％和68.78％,此时菖蒲也逐步以自小叶片至大叶片的顺序枯萎衰亡,表明在土壤水分快速下降过程中过高的生物量将不利于菖蒲保持水分,而80％左右的叶片含水率是维持菖蒲存活的临界值.     

Environmental factors regulating the radial oxygen loss from roots of Myriophyllum spicatum and Potamogeton crispus

Myriophyllum spicatum and Potamogeton crispus are common species of shallow eutrophic lakes in north-eastern Germany, where a slow recovery of the submersed aquatic vegetation was observed. Thus, the characterisation of the root oxygen release (ROL) as well as its implication for geochemical processes in the sediment are of particular interest. A combination of microelectrode measurements, methylene blue agar and a titanium(III) redox buffer was used to investigate the influence of the oxygen content in the water column on ROL, diel ROL dynamics as well as the impact of sediment milieu. Oxygen gradients around the roots revealed a maximum oxygen diffusion zone of up to 250 μm. During a sequence with a light/dark cycle as well as alternating aeration of the water column, maximum ROL with up to 35% oxygen saturation at the root surface occurred under light/O₂-saturated conditions. A decrease to about 30% was observed under dark/O₂-saturated conditions, no ROL was detected at dark/O₂-depleted conditions and only a weak ROL with 5–10% oxygen saturation at the root surface was measured under light but O₂-depleted water column. These results indicate, that during darkness, ROL is supplied by oxygen from the water column and even during illumination and active photosynthesis production, ROL is modified by the oxygen content in the water column. Visualisation of ROL patterns revealed an enhanced ROL for plants which were grown in sulfidic littoral sediment in comparison to plants grown in pure quartz sand. For both plant species grown in sulfidic littoral sediment, a ROL rate of 3–4 μmol O₂ h⁻¹ plant⁻¹ was determined with the Ti(III) redox buffer. For plants grown in pure quartz sand, the ROL rate decreased to 1–2 μmol O₂ h⁻¹ plant⁻¹. Hence, aside from the oxygen content in the water column, the redox conditions and microbial oxygen demand in the sediment has to be considered as a further major determinant of ROL.     

完全水淹环境中光照和溶氧对喜旱莲子草表型可塑性的影响

光照和溶氧是水环境和陆地环境间差异显著的两个环境因子,对水淹植物的生长和存活具有重要的意义。以三峡库区常见外来入侵植物喜旱莲子草(Alternanthera philoxeroides)为研究对象,考察了水体中的光照(L)和溶氧(DO)对完全水淹环境中喜旱莲子草的形态特征和生物量分配等表型可塑性的影响。实验设置水淹和非水淹对照两组处理,对水淹组的光照和溶氧两个环境因子再分别设置有(+)、无(-)以及高(+)、低(-)两种水平,共计4个处理。实验结果表明:(1)水淹可促进喜旱莲子草主茎和叶片发生可塑性反应,引发伸长生长。水淹后,其细长的主茎以及长而薄的直立叶更有利于植株早日出露水面。(2)完全水淹条件下,喜旱莲子草主茎和叶片的表型可塑性受光照和溶氧的复合影响,其中主茎的伸长生长主要受溶氧的影响,而叶片的形态变化则主要受光照影响。高溶氧处理下喜旱莲子草的主茎伸长生长显著(P0.05)。在相同光照条件下,高溶氧处理下喜旱莲子草的主茎长、节间数、节间长以及主茎长/主茎直径均明显高于低溶氧处理。不论有光还是无光,高溶氧处理下喜旱莲子草主茎长以及节间数的平均增长率均处于最高水平,分别为61.8%、34.2%。喜旱莲子草叶片的形态变化在有光处理下表现得尤为显著,其平均叶片长宽比、比叶面积以及叶倾角分别较水淹前增加了39.65%、28.3%、45.9°。(3)光照和溶氧对于喜旱莲子草不定根和分枝的发生及发展存在影响差异。有光条件下可促进植株抽枝,而高溶氧处理时更有利于植株生根。这些形态变化有助于喜旱莲子草扩大株型占据有利生境,进一步提高植株的水下存活能力。     

NO3/NH4 ratios affect the growth and N removal ability of Acorus calamus and Iris pseudacorus in a hydroponic system

Sweet flag (Acorus calamus L.) and yellow flag (Iris pseudacorus L.) have been used increasingly in constructed wetlands (CWs) for treatment of eutrophic wastewater. In order to properly match plant species with the type of wastewater being treated, it is important to know the performance of plant species under different NO₃⁻/NH₄⁺ ratios. We investigated dry matter (DW) production and N content of A. calamus and I. pseudacorus under five NO₃⁻/NH₄⁺ ratios (100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, and 0/100) in a hydroponic system. Results showed that the two species exhibited different preferences for NO₃⁻ and NH₄⁺. Total DW, shoot DW, and N content were greater with NO₃⁻/NH₄⁺ ratios of 50/50 and 75/25 than otherwise for A. calamus, but these parameters were only higher under the sole NO₃⁻ treatment in I. pseudacorus. We conclude that A. calamus could be best used for treating wastewater in constructed wetlands with NO₃⁻/NH₄⁺ ratios between 50/50 and 75/25, while I. pseudacorus for treating wastewater with NO₃⁻ only to achieve the highest biomass production and efficiency in the removal of N.     

Identification of genes regulated by dark adaptation and far‐red light illumination in roots of Arabidopsis thaliana*

Roots in the soil are illuminated by far‐red (FR) light passed through plant tissues in the daytime, and are in complete darkness at night. To evaluate whether gene expression of roots is affected by a dark‐FR light cycle, gene expression profiles were analysed for dark‐adapted versus light‐grown plants and for FR light‐illuminated versus dark‐adapted plants using the RIKEN Arabidopsis full‐length cDNA microarray (containing approximately 7000 independent, full‐length cDNA groups). Among candidate dark‐ and FR‐regulated genes, several were further analysed. Eleven dark‐inducible and five dark‐repressed genes were characterized. Almost all the dark‐inducible and –repressed genes were oppositely regulated by FR light illumination. The functions of dark‐ and FR‐responsive genes and the significance of FR light‐regulated gene expression in roots under ground are discussed.     

Effect of low light intensity on growth and accumulation of secondary metabolites in roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch

Effects of low light intensity on growth and accumulation of secondary metabolites of a medicinal plant Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. were investigated. Hydroponic-cultivated one year-old rhizome seedlings were grown under three low irradiances, 200, 100, and 50 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ for 135 days. Control plants were cultured under natural light conditions. Low light intensity stress decreased leaf thickness, photosynthesis and biomass, but increased leaf area and chlorophyll concentrations. Low light intensity also significantly increased accumulation of glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin in the root, while the maximum values of both secondary metabolites were obtained under an irradiance of 100 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹. Concentrations of both secondary metabolites were negatively correlated with root biomass. The results suggested that G. uralensis could endure an environment with low light intensity and suitable light control might increase the secondary metabolite contents within agroforestry systems.     

光照强度和肥力变化对垂穗披碱草生长的影响

在野外条件下,采用析因设计,对光照和肥力变化影响下垂穗披碱草的生长参数进行测定,评估垂穗披碱草对异质环境的适应特性。光照分为高光照(100%光照强度)、中度光照(43.5%光照强度)与低光照(6.74%光照强度);肥力分为施肥与不施肥。结果表明,垂穗披碱草在光照强度由高光照(100%)向中度光照(43.5%)变化情况下,地上生物量、分蘖数无变化,株高增大,光照强度减小到6.74%时,地上生物量、分蘖数、株高均减小。比叶面积(SLA)随光照强度的减弱而增加,相对生长率(RGR)随光照强度的减弱而减小,施肥对SLA和RGR无影响。根冠比在中度光照和低光照下各处理之间差异均不显著,高光照(100%)下增加肥力,根冠比增大。施肥时,叶分配随光照强度的减弱而增加,繁殖分配减小,不施肥时,叶分配与繁殖分配在高光照(100%)和中度光照(43.5%)下无差异,低光照(6.74%)下,叶分配增大,繁殖分配减小。施肥时茎分配在中度光照强度(43.5%)下最大,高光照强度(100%)下次之,低光照强度(6.74%)下最小,不施肥时,茎分配在高光照(100%)和中度光照(43.5%)下无差异,低光照(6.74%)下减小。研究表明:垂穗披碱草是一个光照耐受型物种,光照强度减小到全光照一半时仍可正常生长。在低光环境中,垂穗披碱草通过增加株高和大而薄的叶片,来适应环境,资源主要在叶分配、茎分配、繁殖分配之间进行了权衡。     

The effects of dopamine on antioxidant enzymes activities and reactive oxygen species levels in soybean roots

In the current work, we investigated the effects of dopamine, an neurotransmitter found in several plant species on antioxidant enzyme activities and ROS in soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) roots. The effects of dopamine on SOD, CAT and POD activities, as well as H₂O₂, O₂^•−, melanin contents and lipid peroxidation were evaluated. Three-day-old seedlings were cultivated in half-strength Hoagland nutrient solution (pH 6.0), without or with 0.1 to 1.0 mM dopamine, in a growth chamber (25°C, 12 h photoperiod, irradiance of 280 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) for 24 h. Significant increases in melanin content were observed. The levels of ROS and lipid peroxidation decreased at all concentrations of dopamine tested. The SOD activity increased significantly under the action of dopamine, while CT activity was inhibited and POD activity was unaffected. The results suggest a close relationship between a possible antioxidant activity of dopamine and melanin and activation of SOD, reducing the levels of ROS and damage on membranes of soybean roots.     

Improved growth of Artemisia annua L hairy roots and artemisinin production under red light conditions

Hairy root cultures of Artemisia annua L were cultivated for 30 days under either white, red, blue, yellow or green light. Red light at 660 nm gave the highest biomass of hairy roots (5.73 g dry wt cells l^–1 medium) and artemisinin content (31 mg arteminsinin g^–1 dry cells) which were, respectively, 17% and 67% higher than those obtained under white light.     

Regulation of growth and photosynthesis by Oscillatoria agardhii grown with a light/dark cycle

Abstract The cyanobacterium Oscillatoria agardhii was grown in turbidostat cultures with the light energy supply in either the continuous mode or in the pulsed mode (8/16 h light/dark (L/D) cycle). The light irradiance value used was sufficient to allow the maximal growth rate to be attained, when supplied continuously. Adaptation of O. agardhii to the L/D cycle was characterized by an increase in pigment content and photosynthetic performance, accompanied by a decrease in growth rate. This mode of adaptation resembled the adaptation of O. agardhii to continuous low light intensities. It is suggested that in this case the L/D cycle provokes this adaptation in order to allow the cells to accumulate carbohydrate rapidly during the light period. This was attributed to the storage of polyglucose, which served as a carbon and energy source for growth in the dark. The utilization of polyglucose in the dark was able to sustain the synthesis of all other cell components at the same rate as when cells were growing in the light. The growth yield in the dark, whilst metabolizing internally stored polyglucose, was 0.52 g cell C/g polyglucose C, or 0.62 g cell dry weight/g polyglucose. Although in the pulsed mode there is a 66% loss in light irradiance per 24 h when compared with a continuous light regime, the growth rate of the cyanobacteria grown in the pulsed mode was only 35% lower than the growth rate of a culture grown in continuous light. This can be explained by a high growth yield in the dark and by increased CO₂ fixation rates in the light of cells grown in the pulsed mode.