Comparison of Cadmium Effect on Willow and Poplar in Response to Different Cultivation Conditions

Salix alba L. and Populus×euroamericana cv. Robusta cuttings were grown in 10 μM Cd(NO₃)₂ (direct treatment) or in Knop solution and afterwards in Cd(NO₃)₂ (indirect treatment). Cd impact on rooting of directly treated plants and its impact on normally formed roots and shoots of indirectly treated plants were studied. The cumulative length, number and biomass of willow roots, pigment and starch contents, leaf net photosynthetic rate and dry mass/leaf area ratio of willow leaves were positively influenced by indirect treatment. However, indirectly treated poplars were more sensitive to Cd than directly treated ones. Indirect treatment lowered root Cd uptake in willow, Cd accumulation in cuttings of both species and Cd accumulation in poplar shoots. Cd-caused structural changes were similar in both species and in both treatments. Root apices, rhizodermis and cortex were the most seriously damaged root parts. In directly treated willow, the structure of central cylinder (0.5 – 1 cm from apex) remained unchanged in contrast to indirectly treated plants. Formation of cambium close to the apex indicated shortening of root elongation zone of indirectly treated plants. Directly Cd-treated poplar roots exhibited unusual defence activity of root apical meristem and accumulation of darkly stained material around central cylinder. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Accumulation and translocation of Cd metal and the Cd-induced production of glutathione and phytochelatins in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vicia faba</Emphasis> L.

Translocation of cadmium (Cd) in the tissues of Vicia faba, the water content in biomass, the biomass production, and the glutathione and phytochelatin tissue concentrations were studied and correlated with the plant sensitivity and/or tolerance to Cd. The total concentrations of Cd were determined by inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), the concentrations of glutathione (GSH) and phytochelatins 2 and 3 (PC2 and PC3) were determined by on-line high performance liquid chromatography/electrospray-ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–ESI–MS–MS) in the roots and leaves of the sensitive and the tolerant cultivars of V. faba grown in Cd containing nutrient solutions (NS, 0–100 μmol l⁻¹ Cd²⁺). Both the cultivars of V. faba accumulate a major portion of Cd in the roots and only a minor part of ca. 4% in the leaves. The differences between the cultivars concerning Cd accumulation in leaves were apparent from higher Cd concentrations in NS and the Cd amount in the sensitive cultivar was approximately twice as high. In the roots, the differences between the cultivars in the Cd accumulation were only statistically significant with the highest Cd concentrations in NS, with the tolerant cultivar accumulating about 16% more of Cd compared to the sensitive one. The biomass production of the sensitive cultivar decreased approximately twice as fast with increasing Cd concentration in NS. The biomass water content decreased with increasing Cd concentration in NS in both the cultivars. In general, the GSH concentration did not linearly correlate with Cd accumulation, except for the roots of the sensitive cultivar where it was independent, and was higher in the sensitive cultivar than in the tolerant one in both the leaves and roots. The GSH concentration in leaves was approximately one order of magnitude higher than that in the roots for both the cultivars. The relationships between the PC and Cd concentrations in tissues were found nonlinear. At lower Cd accumulation levels, the PC concentrations followed an increase in the Cd accumulation in both the roots and leaves, whereas at higher Cd accumulations the relations differed between roots and leaves. In the roots, the PC concentrations decreased with increasing Cd accumulation, whereas the PC concentration in the leaves followed the decrease in the Cd accumulation.     

Proline controls the level of polyamines in common sage plants under normal conditions and at UV-B irradiation

Common sage (Salvia officinalis L.) plants grown in water culture to the stage of 4–5 true leaves were treated for 12, 24, 36, or 48 h with proline added to nutrient medium to a final concentration of 5 mM, or irradiated with UV-B light (12.3 kJ/m² for 10 min), or subjected to combined action of these factors. In these plants, activity of proline dehydrogenase (PDH), the content of proline, and the contents of free and conjugated polyamines were determined in the leaves and roots. It was shown that, in control plants, the content of endogenous proline was close to zero. In the presence of proline in medium, its total content in the roots was 9 μmol/g fr wt in 12 h of exposure, whereas in the leaves the content of proline increased only in 24 h and achieved only 1 μmol/g fr wt. The content of free putrescine increased in the leaves and especially in the roots after 10-min irradiation with UV-B light. The biosynthesis of putrescine was induced in the presence of proline in medium and was observed earlier than after UV-B irradiation. UV-B irradiation affected not only the synthesis of putrescine but also that of spermidine and spermine; it also induced accumulation of their soluble conjugates. Exogenous proline enhanced putrescine synthesis but inhibited the formation of polyamine soluble conjugates. At combined treatment of the two factors, the content of free putrescine in the leaves displayed a tendency to the rise and in the roots, to the decrease. At the same time, the content of polyamine free conjugates increased in both leaves and roots. All these facts could be considered as an indirect indication of relationship between proline and polyamine biosyntheses. We can also state that an artificially created high proline concentration in common sage tissues characterized of its low constitutive level resulted in disturbances in the homeostasis of low-molecular cell metabolites and induced a requirement in its restoration by diverse ways. This agrees with activation of PDH, a key enzyme of proline degradation. Induction of polyamine biosynthesis and changes in the content of their soluble conjugates might be one of the ways for such restoration. Under stress conditions, the high proline concentration is not toxic for plants because polyamines and proline are the components of the plant defense system, thus weakening damaging effects of abiotic stressors.     

珊瑚树（Viburnum odoratissinum）对污染土壤中镉的耐受和富集特征

通过温室盆栽试验,研究珊瑚树对土壤中镉(Cd)的耐受和富集特征。研究结果表明,珊瑚树对污染土壤中Cd具有较强的耐受能力。培养56 d内,土壤中Cd含量对珊瑚树生物量影响不明显;随着培养时间的延长(105—203 d),珊瑚树的生长明显受到土壤中Cd的抑制作用。与对照处理(土壤中Cd含量为3.6 mg/kg)相比,培养154 d后,土壤中Cd含量为24.6 mg/kg处理下珊瑚树叶片中叶绿素a、叶绿素b、类胡萝卜素和丙二醛(MDA)含量没有明显变化;培养203 d后,土壤中Cd含量为24.6mg/kg处理下珊瑚树叶片中类胡萝卜素和MDA含量无明显变化,但叶片中叶绿素a和叶绿素b含量明显受到抑制,从而导致珊瑚树叶片的生长明显受到抑制(P0.05)。培养203 d后,珊瑚树对土壤中Cd的富集系数和转运系数均大于1,表明珊瑚树对土壤中Cd具有一定的富集和转运能力。上述结果表明,珊瑚树对Cd污染土壤具有一定的生态修复潜力。     

土壤不同镉水平对马缨丹生长及其抗氧化酶活性的影响

采用盆栽试验方法,分别设置0(对照,不添加镉)、30、60、90、120、150、180、210mg·kg-1共8个土壤镉处理水平,研究土壤不同镉水平对马缨丹(Lantana comara L.)生长及其抗氧化酶活性的影响,以探讨马缨丹对镉胁迫的生理响应机制。结果显示:(1)随着土壤镉处理浓度的升高,马缨丹干重呈先升高后降低的趋势,30mg·kg-1镉处理能促进植株的生长,而浓度高于60mg·kg-1时显著抑制马缨丹的生长。(2)马缨丹叶片和根系中O-·2产生速率、H2O2和MDA含量及电解质渗漏率均随土壤镉处理浓度的升高和胁迫时间的延长逐渐升高,胁迫90d时,叶片和根系中O-·2产生速率、H2O2和MDA含量及电解质渗漏率分别在镉浓度高于60和30mg·kg-1时显著低于对照。(3)叶片和根系抗氧化酶SOD、POD、APX和CAT活性随着土壤镉处理浓度的增加大体呈先升高后降低的趋势,并在镉浓度分别高于90和60mg·kg-1时,叶片和根系抗氧化酶活性显著低于对照。研究表明,低浓度镉处理土壤能促进马缨丹植株生长,而高浓度镉处理土壤显著降低了马缨丹体内抗氧化酶活性,导致活性氧大量积累,引起严重的膜脂过氧化伤害,从而显著抑制马缨丹植株的生长。     

Cadmium accumulation and tolerance of Lagerstroemia indica and Lagerstroemia fauriei (Lythraceae) seedlings for phytoremediation applications

Contamination by heavy metals is one of the most serious environmental problems generated from human activities. Because phytoremediation utilizes plants to uptake contaminants, it could potentially be used to remediate metal-contaminated areas. A pot culture experiment with four levels of cadmium (Cd) (0, 20, 40, and 80 mg of Cd/kg dry soil) was conducted to investigate Cd accumulation and tolerance of roots, shoots, and leaves of Lagerstroemia indica and Lagerstroemia fauriei as well as their potential for phytoremediation. Experimental results indicated that Cd inhibited seedling growth only at the higher Cd exposure concentration (40 and 80 mg/kg). The tolerance index revealed that on average L. indica is more tolerant of Cd than L. fauriei. Moreover, plants in the experiment accumulated Cd differentially. In comparisons between L. indica and L. fauriei, the leaves of the former had higher concentrations of Cd, while the roots of latter had higher concentrations of Cd. Furthermore, the roots, shoots, and leaves had very high bioaccumulation factors that markedly exceeded 1.0 (exceptional only in shoots of 80 mg/kg for L. fauriei), indicating that the seedlings extracted Cd from the soil. The leaves' translocation factor of L. indica was greater than 1.0, being significantly higher than that of L. fauriei. Chlorophyll a, Chlorophyll b and total declined in both species significantly as Cd concentrations exceeded 40 mg/kg in the soil. In contrast, lipid peroxidation and proline content was found to increase with increasing Cd concentration. From the assessments of biomass production, Cd tolerance and uptake L. indica and L. fauriei could stand as excellent species for remediating Cd-contaminated soils.     

Sorbitol and NaCl stresses affect free, microsome-associated and thylakoid-associated polyamine content in Zea mays and Phaseolus vulgaris

Most of commercially important crops, including maize and common bean, are sensitive to water deficit and salinity. Polyamines are considered to be osmotic and salt tolerance modulators and biochemical indicators of these stresses. In the present study, we measured organ-specific changes in levels of free, microsome- and thylakoid-associated polyamines in leaves and roots of maize and common bean plants exposed for 24 h to osmotic and saline stresses. Putrescine levels were generally higher in the studied organs of both species and under both stresses; only in the roots of salt-treated bean it considerably decreased. In both species, salt stress (200 mM NaCl) induced a significant decrease in free spermidine in roots. We observed a significant decrease in the contents of all polyamines associated with the microsomes isolated from the roots of maize and bean growing in sorbitol and salt conditions. Also the microsomes isolated from the leaves of stressed plants were characterized by the lower contents of polyamines. Our data showed a reduction of putrescine content, with significantly decreased spermidine and spermine levels in thylakoids isolated from the chloroplasts of maize and bean plants growing under both stresses. The results indicate that the studied maize and bean cultivars are rather drought-sensitive. Additionally, microsome- and thylakoid-associated polyamines seem to be good markers of plant stress tolerance.     

Cloning and Characterisation of Two H+ Translocating Organic Pyrophos-phatase Genes in Salix and Their Expression Differences in Two Willow Varieties with Different Salt Tolerances

Willows are one of the most important tree species for landscaping, biofuel and raw timber. Screening salt-tolerant willow varieties is an effective approach to balance wood supply and demand. However, more salt-tolerant willow varieties are required and little is known regarding the mechanism of salt tolerance at the gene expression level. In this paper, two willow varieties were studies in terms of their differences in salt-tolerances and mechanism of salt tolerance at the level of VP1 gene expression. The results showed that Salix L0911 (L0911) had higher biomass than Salix matsudana (SM), and salt injuries were less severe in L0911 than in SM. The activities of peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, as well as the contents of soluble protein and proline, were higher in L0911 than in SM, whereas the contents of Na⁺ and K⁺, as well as the Na⁺/K⁺ ratio, were lower in L0911 than in SM. Two VP1 genes (VP1.1 and VP1.2) cloned in L0911 and SM had similar sequences and structures. VP1.1 and VP1.2 belonged to different subgroups. Total expression levels of the VP1.1 gene in both roots and leaves of L0911 were higher than that in SM under normal conditions. Under salt stress, expression of VP1 in SM roots initially increased and then decreased, whereas the expression of VP1 in leaves of L0911 and SM, as well as in roots of L0911, decreased with increasing salt concentrations. This study increased our understanding of the salt-tolerance mechanism of willow and may facilitate the selection of salt-tolerant willow resources.     

污泥施用下团花与鹅掌藤鲜叶和凋落叶重金属变化

该研究通过单种鹅掌藤(Schefflera arboricola)、单种团花(Neolamarckia cadamba)和混种团花与鹅掌藤的大根箱实验,跟踪分析表施2%(W/W)污泥后3个月(2020年9月、10月和11月)的鲜叶和凋落叶Cu、Zn、Cd和Hg含量以及凋落叶产量变化,分析鲜叶与凋落叶重金属含量关系以及凋落叶重金属回归量变化。结果表明:(1)污泥施用下团花鲜叶和凋落叶Cu含量均显著高于鹅掌藤,而Zn和Cd含量均显著低于鹅掌藤。(2)鹅掌藤鲜叶Zn含量在11月最低,而Hg含量在11月最高。(3)单种和混种团花鲜叶Zn、Cd和Hg含量在11月最高。(4)混种的团花凋落叶Hg含量随污泥施用时间延长而显著增加,而Cu、Zn和Cd含量变化不明显。(5)9月和11月鹅掌藤鲜叶Cd含量均与凋落叶Hg和Cd含量显著正相关。(6)鹅掌藤和团花凋落叶产量及Cu、Zn、Cd和Hg回归量分别在污泥施用1个月后(9月)和2个月后(10月)最高。综上所述,污泥施用时间对团花和鹅掌藤的鲜叶重金属含量影响较大,而对凋落叶重金属含量影响较小; 鹅掌藤鲜叶Cd含量与凋落叶Cd和Hg含量存在正相关; 鹅掌藤和团花分别在污泥施用1个月后(9月)和2个月后(10月)凋落叶重金属污染风险较高。该研究为污泥园林利用和凋落叶的合理处置提供了借鉴。     

Cadmium toxicity affects chlorophyll a and b content,antioxidant enzyme activities and mineral nutrient accumulation in strawberry

Background

Cadmium (Cd) is well known as one of the most toxic metals affecting the environment and can severely restrict plant growth and development. In this study, Cd toxicities were studied in strawberry cv. Camarosa using pot experiment. Chlorophyll and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities and mineral nutrient concentrations were investigated in both roots and leaves of strawberry plant after exposure Cd.

Results

Cd content in both roots and leaves was increased with the application of increasing concentrations of Cd. We found higher Cd concentration in roots rather than in leaves. Chlorophyll a and b was decreased in leaves but MDA significantly increased under increased Cd concentration treatments in both roots and leaves. SOD and CAT activities was also increased with the increase Cd concentrations. K, Mn and Mg concentrations were found higher in leaves than roots under Cd stress. In general, increased Cd treatments increased K, Mg, Fe, Ca, Cu and Zn concentration in both roots and leaves. Excessive Cd treatments reduced chlorophyll contents, increased antioxidant enzyme activities and changes in plant nutrition concentrations in both roots and leaves.

Conclusion

The results presented in this work suggested that Cd treatments have negative effect on chlorophyll content and nearly decreased 30% of plant growth in strawberry. Strawberry roots accumulated higher Cd than leaves. We found that MDA and antioxidant enzyme (CAT, SOD and APX) contents may have considered a good indicator in determining Cd tolerance in strawberry plant.     

箭舌豌豆根系抗坏血酸及相关酶对镉胁迫的响应

以箭舌豌豆(Vicia sativa L.)品种L3(耐镉)和ZM(镉敏感)为材料,研究了不同程度镉胁迫下箭舌豌豆幼苗根系抗坏血酸(AsA)含量、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)同工酶活性、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)同工酶活性以及APX基因表达的变化。结果显示:(1)2个箭舌豌豆品种根系AsA和脱氢抗坏血酸(DHA)含量在镉胁迫下显著升高;AsA/DHA比值在镉耐性品种L3中显著升高,在敏感品种ZM中显著下降;相同镉处理浓度下,L3根系AsA含量和AsA/DHA比值显著大于ZM。(2)2个品种根系DHAR的活性电泳共显示4条同工酶条带,它们的活性均随镉处理浓度的升高而升高;其中DHAR1只在L3显示,DHAR4只在ZM显示;相同镉处理浓度下,品种L3的DHAR的总活性大于品种ZM。(3)2个品种根系APX的活性电泳共显示11条同工酶条带,其中的APX1、2、4仅在敏感品种ZM中受镉胁迫诱导,APX 8在耐性品种L3中受到比敏感品种ZM更显著的诱导;克隆得到1个箭舌豌豆APX基因,荧光定量RT-PCR结果显示该基因的转录在L3和ZM根系均受镉处理诱导。研究表明,镉胁迫下2个箭舌豌豆品种根系AsA含量,AsA代谢相关酶DHAR和APX的活性以及APX的转录水平均显著升高;镉耐性品种L3较敏感品种ZM能更有效地促进AsA循环,维持更高的AsA水平,从而更有效地缓解镉胁迫诱导产生的氧化胁迫,这可能是L3较ZM具有更高镉耐性的重要机制之一。     

Modifications in endopeptidase and 20S proteasome expression and activities in cadmium treated tomato (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum lycopersicum</Emphasis> L.) plants

The effects of cadmium (Cd) on cellular proteolytic responses were investigated in the roots and leaves of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L., var Ibiza) plants. Three-week-old plants were grown for 3 and 10 days in the presence of 0.3–300 μM Cd and compared to control plants grown in the absence of Cd. Roots of Cd treated plants accumulated four to fivefold Cd as much as mature leaves. Although 10 days of culture at high Cd concentrations inhibited plant growth, tomato plants recovered and were still able to grow again after Cd removal. Tomato roots and leaves are not modified in their proteolytic response with low Cd concentrations (≤3 μM) in the incubation medium. At higher Cd concentration, protein oxidation state and protease activities are modified in roots and leaves although in different ways. The soluble protein content of leaves decreased and protein carbonylation level increased indicative of an oxidative stress. Conversely, protein content of roots increased from 30 to 50%, but the amount of oxidized proteins decreased by two to threefold. Proteolysis responded earlier in leaves than in root to Cd stress. Additionally, whereas cysteine- and metallo-endopeptidase activities, as well as proteasome chymotrypsin activity and subunit expression level, increased in roots and leaves, serine-endopeptidase activities increased only in leaves. This contrasted response between roots and leaves may reflect differences in Cd compartmentation and/or complexation, antioxidant responses and metabolic sensitivity to Cd between plant tissues. The up-regulation of the 20S proteasome gene expression and proteolytic activity argues in favor of the involvement of the 20S proteasome in the degradation of oxidized proteins in plants. This paper is dedicated to Nathalie Galtier (1964–2005), who was senior researcher at the INRA Research Center, Villenave d’Ornon, France.     

Natural and induced cadmium-accumulation in poplar and willow: Implications for phytoremediation

Potentially poplars and willows may be used for the in situ decontamination of soils polluted with Cd, such as pasturelands fertilised with Cd-rich superphosphate fertiliser. Poplar (Kawa and Argyle) and willow (Tangoio) clones were grown in soils containing a range (0.6–60.6 μg g⁻¹ dry soil) of Cd concentrations. The willow clone accumulated significantly more Cd (9–167 μg g⁻¹ dry matter) than the two poplar clones (6–75 μg g⁻¹), which themselves were not significantly different. Poplar trees (Beaupré) sampled in situ from a contaminated site near the town of Auby, Northern France, were also found to accumulate significant quantities (up to 209 μg g⁻¹) of Cd. The addition of chelating agents (0.5 and 2 g kg⁻¹ EDTA, 0.5 g kg⁻¹ DTPA and 0.5 g kg⁻¹NTA) to poplar (Kawa) clones caused a temporary increase in uptake of Cd. However, two of the chelating agents (2 g kg⁻¹ EDTA and 0.5 g kg⁻¹ NTA) also resulted in a significant reduction in growth, as well as abscission of leaves. If the results obtained in these pot experiments can be realised in the field, then a single crop of willows could remove over 100 years worth of fertiliser-induced Cd contamination from pasturelands. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Antioxidative defense and proline/phytochelatin accumulation in a newly discovered Cd-hyperaccumulator, Solanum nigrum L.

Changes in the activity of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), chlorophyll, free proline and phytochelatins (PCs) in Solanum nigrum, the newly discovered Cd-hyperaccumulator were examined and compared with a non-hyperaccumulator Solanum melongena. It was indicated that leaf SOD and POD activity of S. nigrum was significantly higher than that of S. melongena. The Cd treatments significantly increased root SOD activity, leaf POD activity, and CAT activity and free proline content in the leaves and roots of S. nigrum. On the contrary, the Cd treatments decreased SOD activity, and did not change CAT activity in the leaves and roots of S. melongena. Moreover, there were no significant differences in free proline levels in the roots of S. melongena. These results validated that S. nigrum had a greater capacity than S. melongena to adapt to oxidative stress caused by Cd and free proline accumulation might be responsible for the tolerance of S. nigrum to Cd. Treated with 10 μg Cd g⁻¹, growth of S. nigrum and its contents of chlorophyll and MDA were basically unaffected. In contrast, there were a decrease in the growth and chlorophyll content, and an increase in MDA in the roots of S. melongena. Although lipid peroxidation was promoted in both the hyperaccumulator and non-hyperaccumulator by high Cd stress, the greater increase took place in the tissues of S. melongena. The PCs level in roots of S. nigrum was significantly lower than that of S. melongena. On the contrary, the content of leaf PCs was much higher in S. nigrum than that in S. melongena. These results further suggested that antioxidative defense in the Cd-hyperaccumulator might play an important role in Cd tolerance, and PCs synthesis is not the primary reason for Cd tolerance although PCs in S. nigrum increased significantly by Cd.     

大气增温对杉木幼树叶片及细根生理特征的影响

为揭示亚热带森林对未来全球变暖的生理响应特征,本研究以杉木为研究对象,利用开顶式增温方式模拟气候变暖,研究其对叶片和细根丙二醛含量、活性氧代谢、渗透调节物质含量以及抗氧化酶活性的影响。研究结果显示：（1）增温显著增加杉木叶片和细根的丙二醛含量,且叶片丙二醛含量显著高于细根,说明增温加剧了杉木叶片和细根氧化损伤,且叶片氧化损伤程度高于细根;（2）增温后,杉木叶片脯氨酸和可溶性蛋白含量降低,细根脯氨酸和可溶性蛋白含量则增加;（3）增温显著提高了杉木叶片过氧化物酶活性,对杉木细根抗氧化酶活性无显著影响;（4）增温后,杉木叶片和细根活性氧含量未发生显著变化,杉木叶片活性氧含量显著高于细根。综合分析表明,尽管增温增加了杉木叶片和细根的氧化损伤,但杉木可以通过提高抗氧化保护酶活性（叶片）和积累较多的渗透调节物质（细根）来维持体内活性氧代谢平衡。可见,杉木地上和地下部分器官间的相互合作与协调使杉木能有效地适应高温环境。     

盐胁迫对槲树(Quercus dentata)幼苗离子平衡及其生理生化特性的影响

检测NaCl胁迫对槲树（Quercus dentata）幼苗离子平衡和生理生化特性的影响,为揭示槲树的耐盐机理,其在园林中的推广应用提供参考。以一年生槲树实生苗作为实验材料,经100、200、300 mmol/L的NaCl溶液浇灌处理30 d,测定不同时间的离子含量和生理生化指标变化。结果表明,随NaCl浓度的增加和处理的时间延长,槲树各指标表现出以下规律：（1）根茎叶积累大量Na⁺,引起离子毒害,导致叶片受损,根系Na⁺含量显著高于地上部分,这种补偿作用有助于减轻地上部分受到的损害;（2）各部分K⁺含量降低,根部较茎叶更为显著,导致Na⁺/K⁺明显升高;（3）Ca²⁺由根部向地上部分转运,在叶片中浓度显著增加,有助于建立新的离子稳态;（4）Mg²⁺含量总体上呈降低趋势;（5）叶片含水量逐渐降低,丙二醛含量和相对电导率逐步升高,且在重度胁迫下的变化更显著;（6）轻度盐胁迫下,叶片过氧化物酶（POD）活性无显著变化,而过氧化氢酶（CAT）和超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性逐渐升高,在重度胁迫下3种酶活性出现降低;（7）脯氨酸和可溶性糖少量积累,辅助调节渗透平衡。总之,槲树幼苗能够通过调控离子平衡,提升抗氧化酶活性,积累渗透调节物,从而提高耐盐性,抵御200 mmol/L以下的NaCl胁迫。     

镉胁迫对小报春幼苗生长及生理特性的影响

该研究采用盆栽控制试验,测定不同浓度(0、5、50、100、150、200 mg/kg)土壤Cd胁迫下小报春幼苗生长及生理生化指标,以探究小报春(Primula forbesii Franch.)对重金属镉(Cd)污染的抗性和敏感性,为新型香花地被植物应用于Cd污染土壤提供理论依据。结果表明:(1)低浓度(5 mg/kg)Cd胁迫能促进小报春株高和根长的伸长,高浓度(≥150 mg/kg)Cd胁迫下株高、根长和生物量明显降低。(2)随Cd胁迫浓度增加,小报春幼苗叶片光合作用、叶绿素含量、SOD和CAT活性先上升后下降,而其超氧阴离子产生速率、过氧化氢、丙二醛含量、叶相对电导率和POD活性持续升高。(3)在Cd胁迫条件下,小报春体内K、Zn含量降低,叶和根中Ca、Mg含量显著增加,体内Cd含量明显升高,且根系Cd含量远远高于叶和叶柄。研究发现,小报春幼苗对Cd胁迫具有一定的耐性,低浓度(5 mg/kg)Cd胁迫对小报春生长影响较小,但高浓度(≥150 mg/kg)Cd胁迫对小报春产生明显的毒害作用,影响其正常生长;小报春可能通过增强体内抗氧化酶系统活性、增加叶和根中Ca、Mg含量和根系截留镉来减轻镉胁迫的伤害,提高自身耐受镉胁迫能力。     

ABA and proline accumulation in leaves and roots of wild (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hordeum spontaneum</Emphasis>) and cultivated (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hordeum vulgare</Emphasis> ‘Maresi’) barley genotypes under water deficit conditions

The purpose of the study was to examine water stress-induced changes in the ABA and proline contents in roots and leaves of a potentially more resistant wild accession of Hordeum spontaneum and the modern cultivar Maresi (Hordeum vulgare). Leaves of H. spontaneum had higher contents of constitutive ABA and proline in comparison to those of ‘Maresi’. A moderate water deficit resulted only in root dehydration, which was higher in ‘Maresi’. Increases of water deficit in roots coincided with an increase of ABA content in roots, followed by that in leaves. The level of proline increased only in leaves and only in the case of H. spontaneum. Under conditions of severe water stress, the root dehydration levels were similar in the both genotypes, whereas leaf dehydration was higher in ‘Maresi’. H. spontaneum, as compared to ‘Maresi’ showed an earlier increase of ABA content in the roots and accumulated more ABA in the leaves. Free proline levels in the roots increased in both genotypes but H. spontaneum exhibited a 2-fold higher proline accumulation than ‘Maresi’. In H. spontaneum the accumulation of proline in the leaves occurred noticeably earlier and to a higher extent than in ‘Maresi’. A possible connection of these modifications with water stress resistance of the investigated genotypes is discussed in this paper.     

Cadmium-induced oxidative stress in two potato cultivars

A hydroponic experiment was carried out to characterize the oxidative stress responses of two potato cultivars (Solanum tuberosum L. cvs. Asterix and Macaca) to cadmium (Cd). Plantlets were exposed to four Cd levels (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 μM) for 7 days. Cd concentration was increased in both roots and shoot. Number of sprouts and roots was not decreased, whereas Cd treatment affected the number of nodal segments. Chlorophyll content and ALA-D activity were decreased in both cultivars, whereas carotenoids content was decreased only in Macaca. Cd caused lipid peroxidation in roots and shoot of both cultivars. Protein oxidation was only verified at the highest Cd level. H₂O₂ content was increased in roots and shoot of Asterix, and apparently, a compensatory response between roots and shoot of Macaca was observed. SOD activity was inhibited in roots of Asterix at all Cd treatments, whereas in Macaca it was only increased at two highest Cd levels. Shoot SOD activity increased in Asterix and decreased in Macaca. Root CAT activity in Asterix decreased at 100 and 150 μM, whereas in Macaca it decreased only at 50 μM. Shoot CAT activity was decreased in Macaca. Root AsA content in Macaca was not affected, whereas in shoot it was reduced at 100 μM and increased at 200 μM. Cd caused increase in NPSH content in roots and shoot. Our results suggest that Cd induces oxidative stress in both potato cultivars and that of the two cultivars, Asterix showed greater sensitivity to Cd levels.