Germination and Early Growth of Plants Studied Using Neutron Radiography

Seed swelling, germination, root extension, lateral root initiationand shoot growth were studied in soils of different water contents,using non-destructive, serial neutron radiography. Seeds fromthree varieties of soya beans (Glycine max L.) and one varietyeach of maize (Zea mays L.) and vetch (Vicia sativa L.) wereused. The seeds germinated when they had increased in size bya certain amount, if germination is taken as the time when theradicle first appears. The rate at which roots and shoots extendalso depend on soil water content. Glycine max L., Vicia sativa L., Zea mays L., Soya bean vetch, maize, seed germination, root extension, lateral root initiation, neutron radiography     

水分条件对干热河谷锥连栎种子萌发及幼苗早期生长的影响

对锥连栎(Quercus franchetii Skan)在4种施水量下的种子萌发、幼苗早期生长形态及生物量分配的响应特征进行了研究。结果表明,施水量对锥连栎的种子萌发过程具有显著影响。随着施水量增加,其种子萌发率、萌发指数以及萌发时间和萌发持续时间均呈明显的上升趋势,而萌发时滞和萌发速率系数呈下降趋势。锥连栎幼苗早期生长对施水量的适应幅度较大,每次施水4～12 mm时,幼苗均能存活,但生长状况存在明显差异,随着施水量的减少,幼苗生长和生物量的积累速度均出现显著减缓。同时,施水量对锥连栎幼苗生物量分配具有显著影响,随着施水量增加,幼苗根冠比呈显著下降趋势,表明在生物量分配上锥连栎幼苗具有极大的可塑性,施水量减少时,光合产物将向地下部分迁移,增加根冠比。     

Effects of Posidonia Oceanica Beach-Cast on Germination,Growth and Nutrient Uptake of Coastal Dune Plants

Seagrass meadows play an important role in marine ecosystems. A part of seagrass production is also exported to adjacent coastal terrestrial systems, possibly influencing their functioning. In this work we experimentally analyzed the effect of Posidonia oceanica beach-cast on plant germination, growth, and nutrient uptake of two plant species (Cakile maritima and Elymus farctus) that grow on upper beaches and fore dunes along the Mediterranean coasts. We compared plants growing in simple sand (control) with those growing in a substrate enriched with P. oceanica wrack (treatment) in laboratory. P. oceanica wrack doubled the N substrate pool and kept the substrate humid. Plants growing in the treated substrate grew faster, were twice as large as those growing in the control substrate, while tissues were enriched in N and P (Cakile by the 1.3 fold in N and 2.5 fold in P; Elymus by 1.5 fold in N and 2 fold in P). Our results suggest a positive effect of seagrass litter for the enhancing of dune species, highlighting its role for the conservation of coastal dune ecosystems.     

Early Response of Willow to Increasing Silver Concentration Exposure

This is a preliminary hydroponic study to test willow sensitivity to silver nitrate, a highly toxic chemical compound. We grew willow cuttings for a period of three weeks in the presence of increasing AgNO₃ concentrations and assessed the response in terms of growth and physiology. We found that AgNO₃ is generally extremely harmful to willow. AgNO₃ concentration as high as 0.027 μM may result in a significant reduction of biomass productivity and a decrease in stomatal conductance over the first week of exposure. However, willows seem able to adapt to high AgNO₃ concentrations on a longer timeline.     

Influence of Ultraviolet Radiation on Germination and Early Seedling Growth

The influence of UV-B radiation (280–320 nm) from filtered and unfiltered FS-40 fluorescent sunlamps on germination and early seedling growth was examined for a range of vegetables (tomato, radish, cucumber, lettuce, and bean) and field crops (wheat, cotton, soybean, and millet). Continuous exposure of seeds for 3 days to 26.9 × 10⁻² W × m⁻² UV-B radiation (280–320 nm) at 25°C, had a slight effect on fresh weight of seedlings but no appreciable influence on germination percentage, or dry weight of seedlings. Extending the time of exposure to 6 days, however, resulted in abnormal seedling growth in all species but wheat. Typical responses were short, stubby roots, bronzing of the cotyledons, increased pigmentation, and abnormal curvature of the shoots.     

Effects of Aflatoxin on Germination and Growth of Lettuce

The relative susceptibility of 30 cultivars of lettuce to inhibition by aflatoxin was studied. Seed germination was not inhibited by concentrations as high as 1,000 mug/ml in cultivar Imperial 44 or by 100 mug/ml in the remaining cultivars. Hypocotyl elongation was inhibited by 46 to 68% at a concentration of 100 mug of aflatoxin per ml. Seedlings exposed to aflatoxin did not become chlorotic. The similarity between the morphological reaction of plants to coumarin and aflatoxin suggests a common mode of action, but further studies of the physiological basis for the inhibitory reactions induced by these compounds will be necessary before such conclusions will be valid.     

Computational Multiscale Toxicodynamic Modeling of Silver and Carbon Nanoparticle Effects on Mouse Lung Function

A computational, multiscale toxicodynamic model has been developed to quantify and predict pulmonary effects due to uptake of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) in mice. The model consists of a collection of coupled toxicodynamic modules, that were independently developed and tested using information obtained from the literature. The modules were developed to describe the dynamics of tissue with explicit focus on the cells and the surfactant chemicals that regulate the process of breathing, as well as the response of the pulmonary system to xenobiotics. Alveolar type I and type II cells, and alveolar macrophages were included in the model, along with surfactant phospholipids and surfactant proteins, to account for processes occurring at multiple biological scales, coupling cellular and surfactant dynamics affected by nanoparticle exposure, and linking the effects to tissue-level lung function changes. Nanoparticle properties such as size, surface chemistry, and zeta potential were explicitly considered in modeling the interactions of these particles with biological media. The model predictions were compared with in vivo lung function response measurements in mice and analysis of mice lung lavage fluid following exposures to silver and carbon nanoparticles. The predictions were found to follow the trends of observed changes in mouse surfactant composition over 7 days post dosing, and are in good agreement with the observed changes in mouse lung function over the same period of time.     

Increased Growth and Germination Success in Plants following Hydrogen Sulfide Administration

This study presents a novel way of enhancing plant growth through the use of a non-petroleum based product. We report here that exposing either roots or seeds of multicellular plants to extremely low concentrations of dissolved hydrogen sulfide at any stage of life causes statistically significant increases in biomass including higher fruit yield. Individual cells in treated plants were smaller (∼13%) than those of controls. Germination success and seedling size increased in, bean, corn, wheat, and pea seeds while time to germination decreases. These findings indicated an important role of H₂S as a signaling molecule that can increase the growth rate of all species yet tested. The increased crop yields reported here has the potential to effect the world''s agricultural output.     

三种湿地植物的生长及根系溶解性有机碳分泌物研究

研究了美人蕉(Canna indica Linn.)、风车草(Cyperus flabelliformis Rottb.)和水鬼蕉(Hymenocallis littoralis (Jack) Salisb.)3种湿地植物在人工气候室水培条件下的根系溶解性有机碳分泌物分泌量及其与生长的关系.结果表明,风车草和美人蕉的植...     

Color Properties of Silver Nanoparticle Composites

Plasmonics - In order to investigate tunable color materials comprising metallic nanospheres, we investigated the color response of structures formed by periodic arrangements of silver...     

Tuber Germination and Early Growth in Four Edible Dioscorea Species

The gross morphology and the sequence of anatomical events duringtuber germination in D. alata, D. esculenta, D. rotundata andD. trifida yams are compared with particular reference to theorigin of the organ of renewed growth, the primary nodal complex.The significance of this organ in yam phylogeny and ontogenyis briefly discussed. Dioscorea species, yams, tuber germination, nodal complex     

污水排放对红树林湿地生态系统的影响

利用湿地处理工农业和城市生活污水 ,是过去十多年来污水生物处理的主要研究课题之一。大量的研究表明 ,湿地具有很强的处理污水的潜力[1]。红树林湿地是分布在热带和部分亚热带海岸的典型海岸带湿地生态系统 ,长期以来被认为是排放污水和废水的便利场所。研究者认为 ,红树林湿地系统与其它类型的湿地一样具有潜在的净化污水的能力[2 ,3]。Ｎｅｄ ｗｅｌｌ建议 ,红树林可以被更积极地加以利用和管理 ,作为整体污水处理设施的最后阶段 (理由是红树林生态系统对营养富集和富营养化具有良好的耐性 ) ,将初级处理污水排放到红树林生态系统内 (传…     

薯蓣皂素对油菜种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响

薯蓣皂素对油菜种子萌发及幼苗生长的作用随处理浓度的不同而有差别。0．5mg／L对种子萌发和幼苗生长有明显的促进作用,处理后的油菜幼苗下胚轴伸长,干鲜重增加,并且子叶中可溶性蛋白、可溶性总糖、过氧化物酶和过氧化氢酶、Ca2 -ATP酶的活性都高于对照,这表明适度的薯蓣皂素有利于油菜生长和代谢。     

Silver Nanoparticle Exposure Induced Mitochondrial Stress,Caspase-3 Activation and Cell Death: Amelioration by Sodium Selenite

Silver nanoparticles (AgNP), one of the most commonly used engineered nanomaterial for biomedical and industrial applications, has shown a toxic potential to our ecosystems and humans. In this study, murine hippocampal neuronal HT22 cells were used to delineate subcellular responses and mechanisms to AgNP by assessing the response levels of caspase-3, mitochondrial oxygen consumption, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mitochondrial membrane potential in addition to cell viability testing. Selenium, an essential trace element that has been known to carry protecting property from heavy metals, was tested for its ameliorating potential in the cells exposed to AgNP. Results showed that AgNP reduced cell viability. The toxicity was associated with mitochondrial membrane depolarization, increased accumulation of ROS, elevated mitochondrial oxygen consumption, and caspase-3 activation. Treatment with sodium selenite reduced cell death, stabilized mitochondrial membrane potential and oxygen consumption rate, and prevented accumulation of ROS and activation of caspase-3. It is concluded that AgNP induces mitochondrial stress and treatment with selenite is capable of preventing the adverse effects of AgNP on the mitochondria.     

Effects of Simulated Oilfield Produced Water on Early Seedling Growth After Treatment in a Pilot-Scale Constructed Wetland System

Seed germination and early seedling growth bioassays were used to evaluate phytotoxicity of simulated oilfield produced water (OPW) before and after treatment in a subsurface-flow, pilot-scale constructed wetland treatment system (CWTS). Responses to untreated and treated OPW were compared among seven plant species, including three monocotyledons: corn (Zea mays), millet (Panicum miliaceum), and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor); and four dicotyledons: lettuce (Lactuca sativa), okra (Abelmoschus esculents), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), and soybean (Glycine max). Phytotoxicity was greater in untreated OPW than in treated OPW. Exposures to untreated and treated OPW enhanced growth in some plant species (sorghum, millet, okra, and corn) relative to a negative control and reduced growth in other plant species (lettuce, soybean, and watermelon). Early seedling growth parameters indicated that dicotyledons were more sensitive to test waters compared to monocotyledons, suggesting that morphological differences between plant species affected phytotoxicity. Results indicated the following sensitivity scale for plant species: lettuce > soybean > watermelon > corn> okra≈millet >sorghum. Phytotoxicity of the treated OPW to lettuce and soybean, although concentrations of COCs were less than irrigation guideline concentrations, suggests that chemical characterization and comparison to guideline concentrations alone may not be sufficient to evaluate water for use in growing crops.     

Effects of Aflatoxin on Seeding Growth and Ultrastructure in Plants

Nineteen plants belonging to 11 species of the cruciferae were studied to determine the effects of aflatoxin B₁ on seed germination and seedling development. Germination was not inhibited in any test organism at a concentration of 100 μg of aflatoxin per ml of agar substrate. Inhibition of elongation of the hypocotyls and roots in the species studied varied from 29 to 93% and from 22 to 91% in the respective tissues. Lepidium sativum was the most susceptible plant studied and exhibited the maximal inhibitory response noted above at concentrations of 8 μg of aflatoxin per ml. The ultrastructure of Lepidium root cells treated with crystalline aflatoxin B₁ exhibited morphological changes characteristic of those found in aflatoxin-treated animal cells. In addition to changes in the cytoplasmic organelles, numerous ring-shaped nucleoli with prominent nucleolar caps were produced. The effect of aflatoxin on plant cells is compared with similar effects induced by actinomycin D. Seed germination and seedling development is discussed in relation to the effects of both compounds on deoxyribonucleic acid-dependent ribonucleic acid biosynthesis.