Health risk assessment of heavy metals and metalloids via dietary intake of a potential vegetable (Coriandrum sativum L.) grown in contaminated water irrigated agricultural sites of Sargodha,Pakistan

Levels of Mo, As, Se, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni, and Pb were determined in a vegetable commonly consumed in Pakistan. Samples were collected from three different sites (Ratokala, Phularwan, and Mailowal) supplied with three different water sources. Mo and Pb in water and Mo and As in C. sativum were higher than the suggested standards at the international level. Lower bioconcentration factor and pollution load index were seen at Site-I than at other sites. A positive association was found between the rhizosphere metals and those of the vegetable at all three sites. Enrichment factor at three sites ranged from 0.28 to 10.39. The highest value of daily intake of metals was found for Fe (0.245 mg/kg/day) and of the health risk index for As (70.41) at the wastewater inundated site. It is inferred that uptake of Mo, As, Cu, Ni, and Pb through C. sativum represents a high health danger to the individuals using this vegetable.     

萝卜CMS不育系与保持系小孢子发生的细胞学研究

研究了萝卜胞质雄性不育系A2、A4及其相应保持系B2、B4的小孢子发生与花药壁发育的细胞学特征.结果表明,不育系A2的绒毡层细胞在四分体时期出现异常,小液泡增多,至单核期汇合形成大液泡,绒毡层细胞异常膨大;小孢子外壁染色浅,细胞壁受到破坏,最后与绒毡层一同降解.不育系A4在减数分裂期即表现出异常,绒毡层异常肥大;花药发育后期,小孢子外壁亦染色较浅;绒毡层细胞融合形成细胞团块侵入药室挤压小孢子,两者一同降解.     

Assessment of Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Solanum tuberosum and Pisum sativum Irrigated with Urban Wastewater in the Suburbs of Sargodha City,Pakistan

Dietary exposure to heavy metals (viz., Ni, As, Fe, Cr, Mn, Co, Mo, Cu, Zn, Se, Cd, and Pb) has been recognized as a potential hazard to human health. This study investigates the level of contamination at two different sites in Pakistan, one irrigated with canal water (Site-I) and the other with urban wastewater (Site-II). At Site-II, irrigation with wastewater resulted in a significant increase in heavy metals and metalloids in soil and a subsequent build-up in two vegetables selected for study (Solanum tuberosum [potato] and Pisum sativum [pea]). Results showed that mean concentrations of heavy metals and metalloids in soil at Site-I were lower than those of Site-II. Mean concentrations of As and Cd in soil at both sites and for both vegetables were found above maximum permissible levels, while for both vegetables As at both sites and Cd, Mo, and Pb exceeded the suggested maximum levels for vegetables. High levels of some metals in the soils and vegetables could be due to unnecessary use of fertilizers and disposable water for irrigating the soils and the environmental cues prevalent in the areas, such as presence of ions that may bind the metals, often play an important role in uptake.     

The use of image analysis to monitor the germination of seeds of broccoli (Brassica oleracea) and radish (Raphanus sativus)

To study broccoli and radish seed germination under different temperature regimes the germination test has been used to assess final germination percentage, start and rate. This method has been integrated with a computer‐aided image analysis test which is more accurate in monitoring the extent of imbibition phases through the assessment of seed area increase and timing of radicle emergence detected on single seeds. In addition, seed area increase has been used also to establish a close relationship with radicle elongation rate in the time range when ‘visible germination’ is scored by a classical germination test. The results suggest that this image analysis parameter may be considered as a reliable seed imbibition marker to integrate the germination parameters obtained by a germination test.     

Effects of pollen load size and composition on pollen donor performance in wild radish, Raphanus sativus (Brassicaceae)

A critical concern in the debate over the importance of sexual selection in plants is whether the nonrandom mating demonstrable in greenhouse crosses can occur in the field. Field populations likely experience smaller and more variable pollen load sizes than those that have been used in many greenhouse experiments. Therefore, we performed a greenhouse experiment in which we varied both pollen load size and composition in wild radish, Raphanus sativus, and examined the paternity of seeds. We used five maternal plants and four pairs of pollen donors. We were able to produce pollen loads of 40, 118, and 258 grains per stigma. The smallest of the pollen loads was scant enough to result in a slight, but significant reduction in seed number per fruit. While variation in pollen load composition significantly affected the proportions of seeds fathered by different donors, variation in pollen load size did not. The relative performance of different donors was constant across pollen load sizes, suggesting that, for this species, differential performance of pollen donors can occur at pollen load sizes that are likely to occur in field populations.     

萝卜种质资源对黑腐病的抗性鉴定与筛选

对40份初选萝卜种质分别接种Xcc8004和XccBJ两个菌株,进行黑腐病苗期抗性鉴定,对其中8份代表性萝卜种质肉质根切片接种Xcc8004进行抗性鉴定和27份萝卜种质幼苗接种8个效应物基因进行过敏反应鉴定。结果表明:不同萝卜种质苗期对黑腐病的抗性存在显著差异,筛选出高抗Xcc8004的材料3份、抗病1份、中抗4份,高抗XccBJ的材料1份、抗病2份、中抗5份。萝卜苗期对Xcc8004和XccBJ的抗病性极显著相关,幼苗和肉质根对Xcc8004的抗病性极显著相关。筛选出17份对不同效应物表现过敏反应的萝卜种质。对效应物XC₀241表现过敏反应的种质数最多,对XC₀542和XC₀541表现过敏反应的种质数次之。不同抗源对不同效应物的过敏反应程度有所不同。稳定可靠抗病资源的获得为萝卜抗病育种和抗病机理的深入研究提供了基础材料。     

Involvement of Ca2+-calmodulin in Cd2+ toxicity during the early phases of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) seed germination

The toxicity of Cd²⁺in vivo during the early phases of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) seed germination and the in vitro Cd²⁺ effect on radish calmodulin (CaM) were studied. Cd²⁺ was taken up in the embryo axes of radish seeds; the increase in fresh weight of embryo axes after 24 h of incubation was inhibited significantly in the presence of 10 mmol m^?3 Cd²⁺ in the external medium, when the Cd²⁺ content in the embryo axes was c. 1.1 μmol g^?1 FW. The reabsorption of K⁺, which characterizes germination, was inhibited by Cd²⁺, suggesting that Cd²⁺ affected metabolic reactivation. The slight effect of Cd²⁺ on the transmembrane electric potential of the cortical cells of the embryo axes excluded a generalized toxicity of Cd²⁺ at the plasma membrane level. After 24 h of incubation, Cd²⁺ induced no increase in total acid-soluble thiols and Cd²⁺-binding peptides able to reduce Cd²⁺ toxicity. Ca²⁺ added to the incubation medium partially reversed the Cd²⁺-induced inhibition of the increase in fresh weight of embryo axes and concomitantly reduced Cd²⁺ uptake. Equilibrium dialysis experiments indicated that Cd²⁺ bound to CaM and competed with Ca²⁺ in this binding. Cd²⁺ inhibited the activation of Ca²⁺-CaM-dependent calf-brain phosphodiesterase, inhibiting the Ca²⁺-CaM active complex. Cd²⁺ reduced the binding of CaM to the Ca²⁺-CaM binding enzymes present in the soluble fraction of the embryo axes of radish seeds. The possibility that Cd²⁺ toxicity in radish seed germination is mediated by the action of Cd²⁺ on Ca²⁺-CaM is discussed in relation to the in vivo and in vitro effects of Cd²⁺.     

Genetic analysis of the reaction level of self-incompatibility to a 4% CO2 gas treatment in the radish (Raphanus sativus L.).

In radishes, self-incompatibility (SI) is governed by the S-locus, which consists of a series of multiple alleles. This SI can be overcome by CO₂ gas treatment, a characteristic that is very useful in obtaining large amounts of parental seeds for F₁ commercial seeds. We know from experience that there are genetic variations in the reaction level of self-incompatibility (RLSI) to a 4% CO₂ gas treatment (hereafter described as RLSICO₂ ) in the radish. We have raised and analyzed an F₂ population derived from an F₁ cross between No. 9324 (S ²⁰⁶ -homozygote, low RLSICO₂) and LV364 (S ²⁰⁹ -homozygote, high RLSICO₂). The RLSICO₂ among three S-genotypes (S ²⁰⁶ -homozygotes, S ²⁰⁶ S ²⁰⁹ -heterozygotes, S ²⁰⁹ -homozygotes), which fit the theoretical ratio of one gene segregation in the F₂ population, did not show any significant statistical differences. Hence, we concluded that the RLSICO₂ was controlled by a gene other than the S-gene. In this F₂ population the segregation of the RLSICO₂ fit the 3(low RLSICO₂):1(high RLSICO₂) ratio well. This result and F₃ progeny tests suggest that high RLSICO₂ is controlled by a recessive gene. Reciprocal crosses among S ²⁰⁹ -homozygotes with different RLSICO₂ have shown that this gene would act in the stigma. Received: 25 February 2000 / Accepted: 10 April 2000     

Calcium and calmodulin inhibitor effects on the growth of carrot (Daucus carota L.) and radish (Raphanus sativus L.) in nutrient culture

Growth of carrot and radish seedlings in nutrient culture was inhibited by pretreatment with three calmodulin inhibitors. There was little selective effect on specific organs, shoots, tap root and fibrous roots over a range of concentrations. Although pretreatment with CaCl₂ (0.5 mM) did not affect growth of untreated seedlings, it partially reduced the inhibitory effects of trifluoperazine over the concentration range 0.01–0.05 mM. Trifluoperazine reduced the growth of GA₃-treated seedlings but did not overcome the modifying effect of GA₃ in favouring shoot/root ratio; ABA exacerbated its inhibitory effect on overall seedling growth and particularly on tap root development.Abbreviations GA₃ gibberellic acid - ABA abscisic acid - CaCl₂ calcium chloride - GAs gibberellins - Tfp trifluoperazine     

Accumulation, detoxification, and genotoxicity of heavy metals in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

Plants of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) were exposed to different concentrations (15, 30, 60, 120 microM) of (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb) for 28 and 56 d for accumulation and detoxification studies. Metal accumulation in roots and shoots were analyzed and it was observed that roots accumulated a significant amount of Cd (1980 microg g(-1) dry weight), Cr (1540 microg g(-1) dry weight), Cu (1995 microg g(-1) dry weight), and Pb (2040 microg g(-1) dry weight) after 56 d of exposure, though in shoot this was 1110, 618, 795, and 409 microg g(-1) dry weight of Cd, Cr, Cu, and Pb, respectively. In order to assess detoxification mechanisms, non-protein thiols (NP-SH), glutathione (GSH) and phytochelatins (PCs) were analyzed in plants. An increase in the quantity of NP-SH (9.55), GSH (8.30), and PCs (1.25) micromol g(-1) FW were found at 15 microM of Cd, however, a gradual decline in quantity was observed from 15 microM of Cd onwards, after 56 d of exposure. For genotoxicity in plants, cytogenetic end-points such as mitotic index (MI), micronucleus formation (MN), mitotic aberrations (MA) and chromosome aberrations (CA) were examined in root meristem cells of B. juncea. Exposure of Cd revealed a significant (P < 0.05) inhibition of MI, induction of MA, CA, and MN in the root tips for 24 h. However, cells examined at 24 h post-exposure showed concentration-wise recovery in all the endpoints. The data revealed that Indian mustard could be used as a potential accumulator of Cd, Cr, Cu, and Pb due to a good tolerance mechanisms provided by combined/concerted action of NP-SH, GSH, and PCs. Also, exposure of Cd can cause genotoxic effects in B. juncea L. through chromosomal mutations, MA, and MN formation.     

Pollen donor performance can be consistent acrossmaternal plants in wild radish (Raphanus sativus,Brassicaceae): a necessary condition for the action of sexualselection

The possibility that sexual selection has played a role in theevolution of plant reproductive characters remains interesting, butcontroversial. One reason is that clear demonstration of the necessaryconditions for sexual selection is lacking. For sexual selection tooccur, differences in pollen donor performance must be consistent acrossmaternal plants and not be due to mechanisms such asself-incompatibility that produce interactions between maternal plantsand pollen donors. Here, I performed two experiments with wild radish totest whether differences in pollen donor performance are consistentacross maternal plants and not due to subtle effects of theincompatibility system. In the first, all maternal and paternal lineageshad different S-alleles. There were 16 maternal plants, four in each offour lineages and four pollen donors, one in each of four lineages. Rankorder of pollen donor performance, in terms of number of seeds siredafter mixed pollination, was highly consistent across maternal plantsand maternal lineages. In addition, maternal stress treatment had aneffect on mating success of pollen donors, but the effect was subtle anddid not affect the rank order of seeds sired by the four pollen donors.In the second experiment, pollinations were performed on both mature andimmature stigmas. Immature stigmas allowed some self seed set, so theincompatibility system was compromised. There was some nonrandom seedpaternity on both mature and immature stigmas. However, the amount ofnonrandom mating was less on immature stigmas. Taken together, theseexperiments show that the kind of consistent nonrandom mating necessaryfor sexual selection occurs in wild radish, but that the incompatibilitysystem and the mechanisms for sorting among compatible mates may overlapin time of development or in somepathways.     

Risk assessment of heavy metal and metalloid toxicity through a contaminated vegetable (Cucurbita maxima) from wastewater irrigated area: A case study for a site-specific risk assessment in Jhang,Pakistan

The present research was conducted in district Jhang, Pakistan, to evaluate the concentration of metals/metalloids in soil and pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) irrigated with domestic wastewater. Data revealed that the levels of metals and metalloids in soil samples from two different sites were below the safe limits except Cd, whereas, in the vegetable, the concentrations of As, Se, Ni, Mo, Pb, Mn, and Cu were above the safe limits. The levels of 12 metals and metalloids in the soil were ranged between 0.14 to 22.76 mg/kg at site-I and 0.16 to 22.13 mg/kg at site-II. The levels of these metals in the vegetable were found 0.35 to 61.13 mg/kg at site-I and 0.31 to 53.63 mg/kg at site-II. The transfer factor at both sites was highest for As and Co. The pollution load index recorded for Se, Cu, Cd, Mo, Pb, and Co was greater than 1. The daily intake of As, Mn, and Mo was above the oral reference dose, which reflects that the intake of pumpkin is not safe for the inhabitants of the selected sites. The control measures should be taken to phytoextract heavy metals and metalloids from polluted sites so as to reduce the health risks.     

Effect of salinity on growth,water use and nutrient use in radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) plants were grown at five soil salinity levels (1, 2, 4, 9 and 13 dS m^-1) to analyse the effects on growth, dry matter partitioning, leaf expansion and water and nutrient use. Salinity was varied by proportionally changing the concentration of all macro nutrients. When the electrical conductivity (EC) of the soil solution increased from 1 to 13 dS m^-1, the influx concentration of the nutrients absorbed by the plants (the ratio between the uptakes of nutrients and water) increased only from 1.6 to 3.5 dS m^-1. The total nutrient uptake showed an optimum at an EC of the soil solution of about 4 dS m^-1. The data suggest that at low salinity level (≤ 2 dS m^-1) the nutrient uptake was limited by availability while at high salinity (>4 dS m^-1) it was limited by the growth of the plant. Total water use by the plants decreased and water use efficiency increased at high salinity. Plant growth was optimal at 2–4 dS m^-1. At salinities higher than 4 dS m^-1 total plant dry weight decreased 2.8% per dS m^-1. About 80% of the growth reduction at high salinity could be attributed to reduction of leaf area expansion and hence to reduction of light interception. The remaining 20% of the salinity effect on growth was most likely explained by a decrease in stomatal conductance. The small leaf area at high salinity was related to a reduced specific leaf area and increased tuber/shoot weight ratio. The latter could be attributed to tuber formation starting at a smaller plant size at high salinity. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genetic analysis of fertility restoration and accumulation of ORF125 mitochondrial protein in the kosena radish (Raphanus sativus cv. Kosena) and a Brassica napus restorer line

The genetics of fertility restoration (Rf) of kosena radish CMS has been characterized. The kosena CMS-Rf system is genetically the same as that of the ogura CMS-Rf system. Two dominant genes that act complementary to the restoration of fertility control fertility restoration in kosena CMS. One allele (Rf1) is associated with accumulation of the CMS-associated protein, ORF125. The interaction of Rf1 and another allele (Rf2) was essential for the restoration of fertility in radish, whereas Rf1 alone was sufficient for the complete restoration of fertility in the B. napus kosena CMS cybrid. Received: 13 August 1999 / Accepted: 16 September 1999     

The effects of daminozide on the levels of Indol-3yl-acetic acid and gibberellins in radish (Raphanus sativus L.) in relation to the control of storage root growth

The levels of indol-3yl-acetic acid and gibberellins were determined in shoots and storage roots of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) at various times during the vegetative growth cycle of control plants and plants in which the root to shoot ratio was modified by daminozide treatment. In control plants the onset of storage organ growth was preceded by a change in the hormone root to shoot ratio to favour the root. There was a general reduction in hormone levels in daminozide-treated plants but the pattern of their distribution in roots and shoots was very similar to that in control plants. Thus the effects of daminozide on increased storage root growth cannot be explained in terms of altered root to shoot hormone ratios.     

Transformation of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) via sonication and vacuum infiltration of germinated seeds with Agrobacterium harboring a group 3 LEA gene from B. napus

A protocol for producing transgenic radish (Raphanus sativus) was obtained by using both ultrasonic and vacuum infiltration assisted, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The Agrobacterium strain LBA4404 contained the binary vector pBI121-LEA (late embyogenesis abundant), which carried a Group 3 LEA gene, from Brassica napus. Among six combinations, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation assisted by a combination of 5-min sonication with 5-min vacuum infiltration resulted in the highest transformation frequency. The existence, integration and expression of transferred LEA gene in transgenic T₁ plants were confirmed by PCR, genomic Southern and Western blot analysis. Transgenic radish demonstrated better growth performance than non-transformed control plants under osmotic and salt stress conditions. Accumulation of Group 3 LEA protein in the vegetative tissue of transgenic radish conferred increased tolerance to water deficit and salt stress.     

Spatial distribution of total halogenated organic compounds (TX), adsorbable organic halogens (AOX), and heavy metals in wetland soil irrigated with pulp and paper wastewater

Long-term irrigation using wastewater from paper industry may cause seriously problems to the receiving soil. This work surveyed and monitored the soil quality of a wastewater irrigation wetland system in Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province in China in 2014 and 2015. Τhe wetland soil showed different soil properties and TX, AOX, heavy metal contents after long-term wastewater irrigation. Long-term irrigation also accumulated the heavy metals such as Cu, Cd, Zn, and Pb in the wetland soil. Compared to the control, TX in the irrigated soil increased by 47.7–69.8% (2014) and 61.5–83.1% (2015). AOX varied in concentration from 1.7 to 55.0 mg kg^?1 (2014) and 11.0 to 53.0 mg kg^?1 (2015). The long-term irrigation of wastewater to wetland systems caused the accumulations of heavy metals, TX, and AOX in the soil and the levels of accumulations were related to several factors including soil properties, wastewater quality, and irrigation time.