Effect of the synthetic growth regulator Cytodef and heavy metals on oxidative status in cucumber plants

We studied the influence of a synthetic cytokinin-like growth regulator (Cytodef) and heavy metal ions—Pb²⁺, Sr²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Ni²⁺—on generation of superoxide anion (O₂^⊙−), lipid peroxidation, and carotenoids content in leaves of 7-day-old cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus L., cv. Izyashchnyi). In some instances Cytodef reduced the toxicity of heavy metals: it mitigated the negative effect of metals on oxidative processes and elevated the concentration of antioxidants (carotenoids).     

Effects of heavy metals on seed germination and early seedling growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arabidopsis thaliana</Emphasis>

Seed is a developmental stage that is highly protective against external stresses in the plant life cycle. In this study, we analyzed toxicity of essential (Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺) and non-essential heavy metals (Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺) on seed germination and seedling growth in the model species Arabidopsis. Our results show that seedling growth is more sensitive to heavy metals (Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺) in comparison to seed germination, while Cd²⁺ is the exception that inhibited both of these processes at similar concentrations. To examine if toxicity of heavy metals is altered developmentally during germination, we incubated seeds with Hg²⁺ or Cd²⁺ only for a restricted period during germination. Hg²⁺ displayed relatively strong toxicity at period II (12–24 h after imbibition), while Cd²⁺ was more effective to inhibit germination at period I (0–12 h after imbibition) rather than at period II. The observed differences are likely to be due in part to selective uptake of different ions by the intact seed, because isolated embryos (without seed coat and endosperm) are more sensitive to both Hg²⁺ and Cd²⁺ at period I. We assessed interactive toxicity between heavy metals and non-toxic cations, and found that Ca²⁺ was able to partially restore the inhibition of seedling growth by Pb²⁺ and Zn²⁺.     

胁迫时间与非毒性离子对重金属抑制拟南芥种子发芽及幼苗生长的影响

测定了Hg²⁺、Cd²⁺、Cu²⁺、Pb²⁺单一重金属胁迫对拟南芥种子发芽和幼苗生长的影响.结果表明,重金属对幼苗生长的毒性大于对种子发芽的毒性,以抑制种子发芽的IC₅₀为指标,4种重金属的毒性顺序为Hg²⁺＞Cd²⁺＞Pb²⁺/Cu²⁺,以幼苗生长为指标,则毒性顺序为:Cu²⁺＞Hg²⁺＞Cd²⁺/Pb²⁺,并随着胁迫时间延长,种子萌发率下降.此外,不同重金属在不同发芽时段对种子的毒性也不尽相同,Cd²⁺的毒性在种子吸水后的0～12 h大于12～24 h,而Hg²⁺毒性在12～24 h大于0～12 h,其中,种皮对减轻重金属毒性起着十分重要的作用.通过非毒性离子(Ca²⁺、Mg²⁺、K⁺、Na⁺)与重金属离子(Hg²⁺、Cd²⁺、Cu²⁺、Pb²⁺)交互作用对拟南芥种子发芽及幼苗生长效应的研究发现, mmol·L^-1的Ca²⁺、Mg²⁺、K⁺、Na⁺可以增强Hg²⁺对种子发芽的毒性,但对Cd²⁺的毒性却没有影响.对于幼苗来说,Ca²⁺、Mg²⁺、K⁺、Na⁺可以显著增强Hg²⁺的毒性,Ca²⁺可以缓解Cd²⁺的毒性,但却增加Cu²⁺的毒性,K⁺可以缓解Pb²⁺对幼苗的毒害作用.最后,本文对重金属的毒害机理进行了探讨.     

Toxicity of chromium and tin toAnabaena doliolum Interaction with bivalent cations

Summary The toxicity of chromium and tin on growth, photosynthetic carbon-fixation, oxygen evolution, heterocyst differentiation and nitrogenase activity ofAnabaena doliolum and its interaction with bivalent cations has been studied. Some interacting cations, viz. Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Mn²⁺, substantially antagonised the toxic effects of chromium and tin with reference to growth, heterocyst differentiation and nitrogenase activity in the following hierarchal sequence: Ca²⁺ > Mg²⁺ > Mn²⁺. However, the sequence of hierarchy was Mg²⁺ > Ca²⁺ > Mn²⁺ for carbon fixation and Mn²⁺ > Mg²⁺ > Ca²⁺ for photosynthetic oxygen evolution. Synergistically inhibitory patterns were noticed for all the parameters, viz. growth,¹⁴CO₂ uptake, oxygen evolution, heterocyst differentiation and nitrogenase activity ofA. doliolum when Ni²⁺, Co²⁺ and Zn²⁺ were combined with the test metals in the growth medium. These cations followed the following sequence of synergistic inhibition: Ni²⁺ > Co²⁺ > Zn²⁺. Among all the interacting cations, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Mn²⁺ exhibited antagonistic effects which relieved the test cyanobacterium from metal toxicity. In contrast to this, Ni²⁺, CO²⁺ and Zn²⁺ showed synergistic inhibition which potentiating the toxicity of test metals in the N₂-fixing cyanobacteriumA. doliolum. It is evident from the present study that bivalent cations, viz. Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺ and Zn²⁺, may appreciably regulate the toxicity of heavy metals in N₂-fixing cyanobacteria if present in aquatic media.     

Effect of growth regulators onVicia faba plants irrigated by sea water Leaf area,pigment content and photosynthetic activity

The antagonistic effects of some growth regulators [i.e. indol-3-yl-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid (GA₃) or kinetin] on stress imposed by sea water on leaf area, pigment and photosynthetic activity in leaves of broad bean plants at different stages of development were investigated. Seed priming with GA₃ alleviated either partially or completely the effects induced by the two levels of sea water (10 and 25 %) used on leaf area at all experimental stages. However, IAA, GA₃ and kinetin inhibited leaf growth by themselves in almost all measurements. Seed pretreatment with kinetin alleviated the inhibition of pigment production in sea water-irrigated plants. Furthermore, GA₃ or kinetin nullified the deleterious effects imposed by irrigation with sea water particularly the high level (25 %) on photosynthetic¹⁴CO₂ fixation.     

重金属Cd2+和Cu2+胁迫下泥蚶消化酶活性的变化

为了探讨重金属Cd²⁺和Cu²⁺胁迫对泥蚶消化酶活性的影响,运用酶学分析的方法,按《渔业水质标准》（GB 11607）规定的Cd²⁺、Cu²⁺最高限量值的1、2、5、10倍设置重金属离子Cd²⁺、Cu²⁺浓度及其组合,研究了在重金属Cd²⁺、Cu²⁺胁迫下,30d内泥蚶3种消化酶活性的变化规律。结果表明：与空白对照组相比,在重金属Cd²⁺、Cu²⁺或其组合的胁迫下,较低浓度组泥蚶的淀粉酶活性实验前期增强（即被诱导）,实验后期减弱（即被抑制）,较高浓度组泥蚶的淀粉酶活性从实验一开始就减弱,并保持在较低水平,毒性比较,同一重金属高浓度 > 低浓度,不同重金属及其组合Cu²⁺ > （Cd²⁺+Cu²⁺）组合 > Cd²⁺;泥蚶脂肪酶的活性实验前期增强,实验后期转为微减弱或减弱,毒性比较,同一重金属高浓度 > 低浓度,不同重金属及其组合（Cd²⁺+Cu²⁺）组合 > Cu²⁺ > Cd²⁺;泥蚶胃蛋白酶的活性实验前期增强,且活性呈现升高-降低-再升高-再降低的变化,实验后期分别表现微增强、微减弱和减弱,毒性比较,同一重金属高浓度 > 低浓度,不同重金属及其组合（Cd²⁺+Cu²⁺）组合 > Cu²⁺ > Cd²⁺。可见：环境中的Cd²⁺和Cu²⁺对泥蚶的消化酶活性起着明显的影响作用。     

Comparison of Physiological Changes in Euglena gracilis During Exposure to Heavy Metals of Heterotrophic and Autotrophic Cells

The effect of different concentrations of Hg²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺ on ultrastructure, growth, respiration, photosynthesis, chlorophyll content, and metal accumulation in Euglena gracilis was examined. The toxicity of the heavy metals was dependent on the culture medium used and whether cells were grown in the dark or under illumination. Hg²⁺ was the most toxic metal, which showed effects at a concentration as low as 1.5 μM; Cd²⁺ showed an intermediate toxicity (effects observed above 50 μM); and Pb²⁺ was almost ineffective up to 1 mM. Cells grown for several weeks in the dark, in the presence of 1.5 μM Hg²⁺ showed a reduced sensitivity to subsequent exposure to Cd²⁺ or Pb²⁺. The Hg²⁺-pretreated cells also presented an enhanced capacity to accumulate other metals. In comparison, light-grown cells showed a greater Cd²⁺ accumulation, but a lower Pb²⁺ uptake than Hg²⁺-pretreated dark-grown cells. Pretreatment of light-grown cells with Hg²⁺ did not enhance the accumulation of Cd²⁺. These results suggest that the capacity to tolerate heavy metals by Euglena may have mechanistic differences when cells are grown in the dark or under illumination.     

Effect of nickel,copper, and zinc on emulsifier production and saturation of cellular fatty acids in the filamentous fungus Curvularia lunata

In the first step of this investigation the toxicity of Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Zn²⁺ ions to the emulsifier producing strain of Curvularia lunata was assessed. Among all the heavy metals studied, Ni²⁺ ions were found to be the most toxic to C. lunata, whereas Zn²⁺ ions exhibited the lowest toxicity. Moreover, only Ni²⁺, when used at sublethal concentration (5 mM) caused lysis of some hyphal tip cells after a short-term exposure (5 h). In the next step, emulsifier production, accumulation of heavy metals by mycelia and emulsifier as well as saturation of cellular fatty acids were examined in 48-h-old cultures where fungal growth intensity was not inhibited by heavy metals (in the presence of Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Zn²⁺ ions at the initial concentration of 1, 5, and 15 mM, respectively) and in cultures where approximately 50% biomass inhibition occurred (in the presence of Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Zn²⁺ ions at the initial concentrations of 3, 10, and 17.5 mM, respectively). Among all the heavy metals studied only Ni²⁺ ions did not induce emulsifier production. As compared with the control, only biomass treated with Ni²⁺ ions displayed an increase in total lipid saturation. This effect resulted mainly from the decrease in linoleic acid (18:2) content correlated with the increase in the amount of stearic acid (18:0). The possible mechanisms by which Ni²⁺ ions could alter the fatty acid profile of C. lunata and the protective role of the emulsifier were also discussed.     

Thidiazuron stimulates adventitious shoot regeneration in different safflower explants

Adventitious shoot regeneration from root, hypocotyl, cotyledon and primary leaf explants of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) was studied. Shoot regeneration was promoted by benzyladenine (BA) + naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), BA + indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), kinetin + NAA and thidiazuron (TDZ) + NAA incorporated in Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium. High frequency of shoot regeneration and high number of shoots per regenerating explant were obtained on a wide range of TDZ + NAA combinations. Proliferated shoots were elongated in MS + 0.5 mg dm⁻³ kinetin and well-developed shoots were rooted in half strength MS + 0.5 mg dm⁻³ NAA. Rooted shoots were successfully acclimatized and established in soil.     

Rat kidney epithelial cell culture for metal toxicity studies

Summary Evaluation of the potential adverse human health effects of low-level chronic exposure to heavy metals is dependent on the basic knowledge of the cellular and molecular toxicology of these metals. The use of various cell culture systems has greatly facilitated our knowledge of the cellular effects. Inasmuch as most of the acute and chronic toxic effects of metals occur primarily on the renal proximal tubules, the development of a rat kidney epithelial cell culture has provided a unique system to study the uptake and mechanism of toxicity of metals and their intracellular binding ligands. In the presence ofd-valine, fibroblast growth was retarded and a primary epithelial monolayer culture was selectively grown from rat kidney cells. A distinct difference in the uptake of chemically similar divalent metals, such as Pb²⁺, Hg²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Zn²⁺, was observed in these cells. Both Pb²⁺ and Hg²⁺ were more avidly taken up by kidney cells than Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺ salts and they also showed increased toxicity. On the other hand, the cellular uptake of Cd from cadmium-metallothionein (CdMT) was much less than from CdCl₂, but CdMT was about seven times more toxic than CdCl₂ when added to the renal cell culture. The cytotoxicity of CdCl₂ was decreased significantly with pretreatment of the cells with CdCl₂, although this had no effect on the toxicity of CdMT. The cellular toxicity of CdMT occurred probably during the process of its transport across the plasma membrane whereas that of CdCl₂ occurred after it had entered the cell. Thus rat kidney epithelial cells may be a useful tool to study the mechanism of renal toxicity of environmental chemicals and drugs. This work was funded by grants-in-aid of research from the Kidney Foundation of Canada.     

Ethylene glycol tetra-acetic acid and salicylic acid improve anti-oxidative ability of maize seedling leaves under heavy-metal and polyethylene glycol 6000-simulated drought stress

Stress caused by divalent heavy metal ions and drought exert many toxic and adverse effects on seedling growth and development of plants, especially on leave growth. Organic acids such as ethylene glycol tetra-acetic acid (EGTA) and salicylic acid (SA) have been shown to alleviate the unfavorable effects exerted by these stresses on seedling growth and metabolism. In order to reveal the physiological mechanism underlying these toxic effects and the alleviated effects exerted by organic acids, maize seedling leaves (genotype “Zhengdan958”) were exposed for 7 days to different concentrations of cadmium (Cd²⁺), mercury (Hg²⁺), and lead (Pb²⁺) ions and to the drought stress-inducing polymer polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000. The same experiments were also carried out in the presence of EGTA or SA. Treated leaves were analyzed for activities of the anti-oxidative enzymes catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and for the content of malondialdehyde (MDA). The results showed that stress treatments with the heavy metals Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, and Pb²⁺ and with PEG all affected the activities of CAT, POD, and SOD, although the extent and patterns of these changes were different under different stress conditions. Both heavy metal and drought stress caused a concentration-dependent increase in MDA content. Treatments in the presence with EGTA or SA showed that both these compounds exerted certain alleviative effects on seedling growth under Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, and Pb²⁺ stresses and PEG-simulated drought stress, with SA generally showing better effects than EGTA.     

Comparative Impacts of Heavy Metals on Root Growth as Related to Their Specificity and Selectivity

Two-day-old maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings were incubated on the solutions of Ag, Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Tl, Co, and Hg salts (0.001 to 3 g/l). Toxicity of heavy metals was assessed as the inhibition of root growth on the first, second, and third days, the change in the length of the lateral root zone, and the duration of lateral root development from the first division in pericycle to emergence. For all salts under study, the ratio of the lethal concentration to the lowest concentration slowing down root growth was about ten, and growth inhibition was not almost enhanced in the course of three days. With concentrations calculated as g/l, metal toxicity declined in the following order: Cu Tl > Ag > Cd > Hg > Co > Zn > Pb; for molar concentrations, the order was the following: Tl³⁺ > Cu²⁺ > > Ag⁺ > Hg²⁺ Cd²⁺ > Zn²⁺ Pb²⁺ Co²⁺. Duration of lateral root development was least affected by heavy metals. Metal affinity of biological compounds for SH-groups was closely correlated (r = 0.9) with the molar concentration that inhibited primary root growth by 50%. Because of the narrow range of effective concentrations, only slightly increasing inhibition over the exposure time, tolerant root branching, and close relationship between the toxicity and the constant of binding to SH-groups, we conclude that the salts under study exert nonselective inhibition and root growth is slowed down due to the general toxicity of heavy metals rather than selective inhibition of any particular process or processes.     

重金属对油菜种子萌发和胚根生长的影响

分析了Hg2 、Cd2 、Ni2 、Co2 、Zn2 5种重金属离子对油菜种子萌发和胚根伸长的影响,以及金属离子K 、Mg2 和Ca2 与重金属的交互作用。结果表明:(1)重金属对油菜种子萌发的抑制作用依次为Hg2 >Cd2 和Co2 >Ni2 >Zn2 ,而对胚根生长的毒害作用依次为Hg2 >Cd2 >Co2 >Ni2 >Zn2 。(2)萌发率为40%以上时,K 和Ca2 可以提高Ni2 、Zn2 和Co2 胁迫下油菜种子的萌发率,却进一步降低了Hg2 、Cd2 胁迫下种子的萌发;Mg2 可以提高Ni2 、Zn2 、Cd2 和Co2 胁迫下种子的萌发率,但对Hg2 毒害却没有缓解。(3)胚根伸长率达到60%以上时,K 和Mg2 增强了Ni2 、Hg2 、Cd2 和Co2 对胚根生长的抑制,而Ca2 则缓解了Zn2 、Ni2 和Co2 对胚根生长的抑制作用。研究结果对于重金属复合污染土壤中植物种子的萌发和定植具有理论和实践意义。     

Interactive intoxicating and ameliorating effects of tannic acid,aluminum (Al3+), copper (Cu2+), and selenate (SeO42−) in wheat roots: a descriptive and mathematical assessment

Tannic acids and tannins are produced by plants and are important components of soil and water organic matter. These polyphenolic compounds form complexes with proteins, metals and soil particulate matter and perform several physiological and ecological functions. The tannic acid (TA) used in our study was a mixture of gallic acid and galloyl glucoses ranging up to nonagalloyl glucose. TA inhibited root elongation in wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Scout 66) at concentrations >4 mg l^?1; but TA alleviated the toxicity of Al³⁺, Cu²⁺ and SeO₄^2?; and Al³⁺ and SeO₄^2? alleviated the toxicity of TA. The interactions of Al³⁺ and TA (each toxic but each alleviating the toxicity of the other) were stoichiometric. Growth was affected as though 1 kg TA bound 2.76 mol Al so strongly that if (mol Al)/(kg TA) <2.76, then free Al ≈ 0, and if (mol Al)/(kg TA) >2.76, then free TA ≈ 0. This stoichiometry is consistent with one mole of galloyl groups binding approximately 0.5 mol Al. Using this binding scheme, growth was modeled successfully on the basis of free TA and free Al. TA enhanced the negativity of root surfaces and enhanced the binding of Al and Cu there without enhancing their toxicity. These and other interactions among TA, Al³⁺, Cu²⁺, SeO₄^2?, Ca²⁺, Na⁺ and H⁺ were quantified with a comprehensive non‐linear equation with statistically significant coefficients.     

Micropropagation of the medicinal plant, Scilla natalensis Planch.

Primary bulb explants of Scilla natalensis were cultured in vitro on modified MS medium. Some of these explants initiated shoots, which provided a sterile source of secondary leaf and bulb explants. The secondary explants responded similarly to various combinations of plant growth regulators. Shoots were initiated spontaneously on medium containing no plant growth regulators. The number of shoots initiated was increased by the addition of kinetin or thidiazuron (TDZ) alone, but was reduced by the addition of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) or naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) alone. Optimal shoot initiation occurred on medium containing 1 to 2 mg l^–1 kinetin and 1 to 2 mg l^–1 IAA. These shoots were rooted on medium containing 1 mg l^–1 IAA. The plantlets were successfully acclimatised in the misthouse/shadehouse.     

High Frequency Multiple Shoot Regeneration from Decapitated Embryo Axes of Chickpea and Establishment of Plantlets in the Open Environment

Multiple shoot regeneration from the cut plumular ends of embryo axes of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) was evaluated on Murashige and Skoog medium having different concentrations of thidiazuron (TDZ) (0.1 to 10.0 mg dm^–3) 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) (0.5 and 1.0 mg dm^–3), kinetin (0.5 and 1.0 mg dm^–3) or zeatin (2.0 and 4.0 mg dm^–3). TDZ (0.2 mg dm^–3) was found to be the most effective cytokinin as it produced multiple shoots in 100 % of the explants from genotypes C235, ICC5166, ICC12269, ICC4951, ICC11531, BG256 and a local cultivar. Shoots were elongated on growth regulator-free medium, and rooted on growth regulator-free medium containing 1/4 MS salts + full vitamins + 3 % sucrose. Plantlets formed were acclimatized for 12 – 15 d in MS medium with a gradual reduction in sucrose concentration and transferred into pots filled with soil and kept in the field; this resulted in more than 70 % survival. The plants developed normally and produced fertile flowers and set seeds. Low temperatures, maximum 19.0 °C, and minimum 8.2 °C, during the first 15 d of transfer favoured survival on transfer to pots.     

A new model for predicting time course toxicity of heavy metals based on Biotic Ligand Model (BLM)

A new model for predicting time course toxicity of heavy metals was developed by extending the effective ratio of biotic ligand binding with toxic heavy metals to the total biotic ligand for 50% of test organisms (f₅₀) derived by the Biotic Ligand Model (BLM). BLM has been well-known as a useful model for prediction of heavy metal toxicity. BLM can consider the effect of exposure conditions such as pH and Ca²⁺ on heavy metal toxicity. In addition to the exposure conditions, heavy metal toxicity is strongly dependent on exposure time. In this study, BLM is extended to predict time dependency of heavy metal toxicity by connecting with the concept of primary reaction. The model developed in this study also generates the estimation of the 50% effect concentration (EC₅₀) for toxicologically unknown organisms and heavy metals. Two toxicological and kinetic constants, f_50,0 and k, were derived from the initial value of f₅₀ (f_50,0) and a time constant (k) independent of time. The model developed in this study enables us to acquire information on the toxicity of heavy metals such as Cu, Cd and Co easily.     

Über das Vorkommen eines cytokininartigen Faktors inCuscuta reflexa

Zusammenfassung InCuscuta reflexa-Extrakten konnte mit Hilfe verschiedener biologischer Teste ein cytokininartiger Faktor nachgewiesen werden. Die Bedeutung dieses Faktors für das Verhältnis zwischen derCuscuta und ihren Wirtspflanzen wird diskutiert.

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On the existence of a cytokinin-like factor in cuscuta reflexa

Summary In extracts ofCuscuta reflexa Roxb. a cytokinin like factor (CAF = Cuscuta active factor) was found. It was shown that activity of this factor is similar to that of kinetin in all essential points. In tobacco-stem-tissue tests a promotion of growth by CAF was observed. In chlorophyll-preservation tests CAF produced a strong inhibition of chlorophyll dissimilation. Moreover in tests with¹⁴C-labelled glycine a migration of the glycine and other amino acids due to CAF was found.The occurrence of the observed cytokinin-like factor inCuscuta reflexa is discussed with respect to the parasite-host relations ofCuscuta.

     

Effect of thidiazuron, a cytokinin-active urea derivative, in cytokinin-dependent ethylene production systems

Cytokinins are known to stimulate ethylene production in mungbean hypocotyls synergistically with indoleacetic acid (IAA), in mungbean hypocotyls synergistically with Ca²⁺, and in wilted wheat leaves. Thidiazuron, a substituted urea compound, mimicked the effect of benzyladenine (BA) in all three systems. In the Ca²⁺ + cytokinin system and the IAA + cytokinin systems of mungbean hypocotyls, thiadiazuron was slightly more active than BA at equimolar concentration. In mungbean hypocotyls exogenously applied IAA was rapidly conjugated into IAA asparate, and this conjugation process was effectively inhibited by thidiazuron, as by cytokinins. In the wilted wheat leaves system, 10 micromolar thidiazuron exerted stress ethylene production equal to that exerted by 1 millimolar BA, indicating that thidiazuron is more active than BA by two orders. The structure-activity relationship of thidiazuron and its thiadiazolylurea analogs in stimulating Ca²⁺-dependent ethylene production in mungbean hypocotyls was found to agree well with the structure-activity relationship of these derivatives in promoting the growth of callus tissues. These results indicate that thidiazuron and its derivatives are highly active to mimic the adenine-type cytokinin responses in promoting ethylene production and that the structure-activity relationship in promoting the growth of callus and in promoting ethylene production is similar.     

Protective role of nitric oxide against arsenic-induced damages in germinating mung bean seeds

Nitric oxide (NO) is a bioactive gaseous, multifunctional molecule playing a central role and mediating a variety of physiological processes and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses including heavy metals. The present study investigated whether NO applied exogenously as sodium nitroprusside (SNP) has a protective role against arsenic (As) toxicity (applied as sodium arsenate) in Vigna radiata (mung bean) germinating seeds. Treatment with 75???M SNP significantly improved mung bean seed germination, growth, and decreased the As-accumulation. Furthermore, As-induced oxidative stress measured in terms of malondialdehyde and H₂O₂ contents was lesser upon supplementation of SNP indicating a reactive oxygen species scavenging activity of NO. In addition, supplementation of SNP markedly decreased the activity of superoxide dismutase and stimulated catalase, ??-amylase, protease and slightly changed the H⁺-ATPase activity.