Comparative Study on the Toxic Effects of Red Tide Flagellates Heterocapsa circularisquama and Chattonella marina on the Short-Necked Clam (Ruditapes philippinarum)

Heterocapsa circularisquama showed much higher toxic effects on short-necked clams than Chattonella marina. Clams exposed to H. circularisquama exhibited morphological changes concomitant with an accumulation of mucus-like substances in the gills, a profound reduction in filtration activity, and lysosomal destabilization in hemocytes. Chattonella marina was less effective than H. circularisquama, and Heterocapsa triquetra was almost harmless in all these criteria. These results suggest that H. circularisquama exerted its lethal effect on short-necked clams through gill tissue damage and subsequent induction of physiological stress.     

Algicidal activity of the thiazolidinedione derivative TD49 against the harmful dinoflagellate Heterocapsa circularisquama in a mesocosm enclosure

To assess the algicidal effects of the thiazolidinedione derivative TD49 on the unarmored dinoflagellate Heterocapsa circularisquama and to evaluate the response of the planktonic community and the environment to this chemical, we undertook mesocosm (1,300 L) and small-scale experiments. The reduction ratio for H. circularisquama in each experiment was dependent on the concentration of TD49. At a TD49 concentration >0.4 μM, the abundance of H. circularisquama decreased by 99 % in the small-scale experiment and by 84 % in the mesocosm during the initial 2 days. At 0.2 μM TD49, the abundance of H. circularisquama decreased by up to 85 % in the small-scale experiment, whereas the abundance in the mesocosm increased, implying the absence of an algicidal effect. The decrease in planktonic organisms, including H. circularisquama, following TD49 treatment was correlated with abrupt declines in culture pH and dissolved oxygen concentration. Following addition of TD49, there was a significant increase in the abundance of diatoms and cryptophyta species, and after 8 days, the dominant species in the TD49 treatments shifted to small pennate diatoms including Cylindrotheca and Entomoneis species. The growth of some species among the zooplankton community was promoted at low TD49 concentrations (≤0.4 μM), whereas high concentrations (≥1.0 μM) had a negative effect. This study demonstrates that TD49 is an effective agent for the control for H. circularisquama blooms and that large-scale mesocosms play a crucial role in assessing the application of algicides such as TD49 in natural environments.     

Enhanced species-specific chemical control of harmful and non-harmful algal bloom species by the thiazolidinedione derivative TD49

Culture experiments involving 23 algae strains were conducted to evaluate the algicidal effects of a newly developed algicidal thiazolidinedione (TD) derivative (TD49) on non-harmful and harmful algal bloom (HAB) species. We also assessed the effect of various concentrations of TD49 on various growth phases (lag, logarithmic, and stationary) of the harmful algae Heterocapsa circularisquama (Dinophyceae) and Heterosigma akashiwo (Raphidophyceae; hereafter, Heterosigma) and the non-harmful diatoms Skeletonema costatum and Chaetoceros didymus. The inhibitory ratios (%) for H. circularisquama and Heterosigma at 2.0 μM TD49 were significantly higher than those at other concentrations, and the inhibitory ratio varied depending on growth phase and species as follows: logarithmic?≥?stationary?>?lag phase for H. circularisquama and logarithmic?≥?lag?>?stationary phase for Heterosigma. Although the inhibitory ratios for C. didymus were similar to those for the two harmful algae (H. circularisquama and Heterosigma), inhibitory effects on S. costatum were not apparent at >2.0 μM in any growth phase. The algicidal activity of TD49 on the harmful and non-harmful algae was as follows: unarmored HAB species?>?armored HAB species?>?diatom species?>?cryptophyte species. TD49 was algicidal to most HABs but had a little inhibitory effect on some non-harmful algae, implying that TD49 has selective algicidal activity. Our results indicate that TD49 is potentially of use in the control of HAB species within semi-enclosed bays.     

盐度对长牡蛎和近江牡蛎及其杂交稚贝生长和存活的影响

2011年8月以长牡蛎自繁组GG(Crassostrea gigas♀×C.gigas♂),近江牡蛎自繁组AA(C.ariakensis♀×C.ariakensis♂)、正交组GA(Crassostrea gigas♀×C.ariakensis♂)、反交组AG(C.ariakensis♀×C.gigas♂)为实验材料,开展了稚贝对盐度的适应性研究。结果发现长牡蛎的最适生存盐度为15—35,最适生长盐度为25—35;近江牡蛎的最适生存盐度为10—25,最适生长盐度为20—25;GA的最适生存盐度为15—30,最适生长盐度为15—30,AG的最适生存盐度为20—30,最适生长盐度为20—25。GG对低盐度敏感,AA对高盐度敏感,AG具有高盐度存活的杂种优势,在盐度30时,中亲杂种优势HG×A为13.32,单亲杂种优势HGA和HAG分别为1.89和27.88,在盐度40时,HAG上升到400,GA和AG都不具有生长优势。杂种稚贝对盐度适应介于双亲之间,且表现出一定程度的父系遗传特点。     

Effects of temperature and salinity on the growth of the red tide flagellates Heterocapsa circularisquama (Dinophyceae) and Chattonella verruculosa (Raphidophyceae)

Growth responses of the red tide flagellates, Heterocapsa circularisquama(Dinophyceae) and Chattonella verruculosa (Raphidophyceae),were examined with 36 different combinations of temperature(5–30°C) and salinity (10–35 PSU). Heterocapsacircularisquama did not grow at or below a temperature of 10°C.The maximum growth rate of H.circularisquama (1.3 divisionsday^–1) was obtained with a combination of 30°C and30 PSU. In contrast, C. verruculosa did not grow at 10 PSU andat temperatures of 25°C or more. The maximum growth rateof C. verruculosa (1.74 divisions day^–1) was obtainedwith a combination of 15°C and 25 PSU. A significant temperature-salinityinteraction on growth was found by factorial analysis. Basedon the physiological characteristics obtained in the presentstudy, these novel flagellates have a potential for future outbreaksof red tides in pre viously unaffected waters.     

Growth and ion accumulation of two rapid-cycling Brassica species differing in salt tolerance

The response of two rapid-cycling Brassica species differing in tolerance to seawater salinity was studied over a period of 24 days. In response to 8 dS m⁻¹ salinity, the two Brassica species showed clear differences in the changes in relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR) and leaf area ratio (LAR). The RGR of B. napus was slightly reduced by salinity, wheareas the RGR of B. carinata was largely reduced in the early stages of salinization. LAR of B. napus was affected by salinity in the later stages of growth and significantly correlated with the reduction in RGR. On the other hand, the NAR of B. carinata was decreased by salinity, corresponding to the decrease of the RGR of B. carinata. The NAR of B. napus was not significantly affected by salinity according to analysis of covariance. The shoot concentrations of Na, Mg and Cl increased while the concentrations of K and Ca decreased sharply during the first 5 days of salinization; subsequently, all ion concentrations remained relatively constant. The concentrations of Na, K, Ca, Mg and Cl in the root were similarly affected by salinity. There were no significant differences of ion concentrations between species that could be related to the differences in salt tolerance. Thus, the differences in salt tolerance between species can not be related to differences in specific-ion effects, but may be related to some factor that reduces the NAR of B. carinata during the early stages of growth.     

Alga-lytic activity of Pseudomonas fluorescens against the red tide causing marine alga Heterosigma akashiwo (Raphidophyceae)

A bacterial strain, HAK-13, exhibited strongest activity against Heterosigma akashiwo and was capable of controlling this bloom forming phytoplankton. Based on 16S rDNA sequences and biochemical and morphological characteristics, the strain HAK-13 was determined to be Pseudomonas fluorescens on the basis of 99.9% similarity with reference strains in the DNA databases. The growth of H. akashiwo was strongly suppressed by HAK-13 in all growth phases, with the strongest alga-lytic activity noted against harmful bloom-forming species in the exponential stage (6–22 days). Host range tests showed that HAK-13 also significantly inhibited the growth of Alexandrium tamarense and Cochlodinium polykrikoides but could not destroy Gymnodinium catenatum. P. fluorescens HAK-13 indirectly attacked H. akashiwo by alga-lytic substances that might be located at the compartment of cytoplasmic membrane of the bacterium at a level of 45.86 units/mg of specific activity. The results indicated that P. fluorescens HAK-13 caused cell lysis and death of H. akashiwo, A. tamarense, and C. polykrikoides dramatically and Prorocentrum dentatum slightly. Therefore, P. fluorescens HAK-13 has potential for use as a selective biocontrol of harmful algal blooms.     

Growth and physiological responses of Kandelia candel and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza to livestock wastewater

Growth and physiological responses of two mangrove species (Kandelia candel and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza) to livestock wastewater under two salinity conditions (seawater with salinity of 30þ and freshwater) were examined in greenhouse pot-cultivation systems for 144 days. Wastewater treatment significantly enhanced growth of Kandelia candel and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza in terms of stem height, stem basal diameter, leaf production, maximum unit leaf area and relative growth rate. Wastewater discharges and salinity levels did not significantly change biomass partitioning of Kandelia candel, however, more biomass of Bruguiera gymnorrhiza was allocated to leaf due to wastewater discharges. In Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, contents of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b increased with wastewater discharges but such increase was not observed in Kandelia candel. On the other hand, livestock wastewater increased leaf electric conductance in Kandelia candel but not in Bruguiera gymnorrhiza. The peroxidase activity in stem and root of Kandelia candel under both salinity conditions increased due to wastewater discharges, while the activity in root of the treated Bruguiera gymnorrhiza seedlings decreased under freshwater condition but increased at seawater salinity. The superoxide dismutase activity in treated Bruguiera gymnorrhiza decreased but did not show any significant change in Kandelia candel receiving livestock wastewater.     

藜异型性种子后代植株盐响应生理机制

种子异型性是植物适应异质生境的重要策略,异型性对后代植株的影响值得深入研究。以具有种子异型性的荒漠植物藜为材料,测定了异型种子后代植株在不同浓度(0,50,300 mmol/L)Na Cl胁迫下的表型及与耐盐相关的生理指标变化,探讨了异型种子后代植株之间对盐胁迫生理响应机制的差异。结果显示,褐色种子后代植株在各浓度盐胁迫下的表型(株高、分枝数)均优于黑色种子。对其生理指标测定结果显示,褐色种子植株除电导率显著低于黑色种子植株外,氧化损伤指标(氧自由基、丙二醛含量)及抗氧化酶(SOD、CAT、POX)活性、抗氧化剂(Car、As A)含量、渗调物质(可溶性糖、脯氨酸、甜菜碱)含量等在两者之间无明显差异。研究结果暗示,藜异型性种子后代植株的早期生长表型在盐胁迫下所产生的差异可能是由种子胚的大小及萌发快慢差异所导致,而这种差异并未引起盐胁迫下两种植株抗氧化系统响应的差异。     

盐分和干旱对沙枣幼苗生理特性的影响

以沙枣(Elaeagnus angustifolia L.)幼苗为实验材料,分别对其进行轻度干旱(土壤含水量7%—9%)、重度干旱(土壤含水量3%—5%)、100 mmol/L NaCl以及100 mmol/L NaCl处理下不同程度的盐旱共胁迫处理,处理2周后测其生理指标,包括生长指标、光合指标、渗透调节指标以及复水后生长指标,研究盐旱共胁迫对沙枣幼苗生理特性的影响。结果表明:和对照相比,轻度干旱对沙枣幼苗的生物量没有显著影响,重度干旱处理明显降低了沙枣的生物量,无论是轻度干旱还是重度干旱,都显著降低了沙枣幼苗的净光合速率、K~+含量,显著增加了Na~+含量、脯氨酸含量、可溶性糖含量、有机酸含量、总酚和类黄酮含量;和对照相比,100 mmol/L NaCl处理显著降低了沙枣幼苗的生物量、净光合速率和K~+含量,显著增加了Na~+含量、脯氨酸含量、可溶性糖含量、有机酸含量、总酚和类黄酮含量;和盐处理相比,轻度干旱和盐分共胁迫对沙枣幼苗的各项指标没有显著差异,而重度干旱和盐分共胁迫明显降低了沙枣幼苗的生物量、净光合速率;复水一周后,只有轻度干旱可以回复到对照水平。以上结果表明,盐分和干旱处理明显抑制了沙枣幼苗的生长,轻度干旱和盐分共胁迫条件下,沙枣幼苗表现出一定的交叉适应现象,而重度干旱却加重了盐害。     

NITZSCHIA OVALIS (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE) MONO LAKE STRAIN ACCUMULATES 1,4/2,5 CYCLOHEXANETETROL IN RESPONSE TO INCREASED SALINITY1

The growth of microalgae in hypersaline conditions requires that cells accumulate osmoprotectants. In many instances, these are polyols. We isolated the diatom Nitzschia ovalis H. J. Arn. from the saline and alkaline water body Mono Lake (CA, USA). This isolate can grow in salinities ranging from 5 to 120 parts per thousand (ppt) of salt but normally at 90 ppt salinity. In this report, we identified the major polyol osmoprotectant as 1,4/2,5 cyclohexanetetrol by electron ionization‐mass spectrometry (EI–MS), ¹H, ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and infrared (IR) and showed an increase in cellular concentration in response to rising salinity. This increase in the cyclitol concentration was evaluated by gas chromatography of the derived tetraacetylated cyclohexanetetrol obtaining an average of 0.7 fmol · cell^?1 at 5 ppt and rising to 22.5 fmol · cell^?1 at 120 ppt. The 1,4/2,5 cyclohexanetetrol was also detected in the red alga Porphyridium purpureum. Analysis of the free amino acid content in N. ovalis cultures exposed to changes in salinity showed that proline and lysine also accumulate with increased salinity, but the cellular concentration of these amino acids is about 10‐fold lower than the concentration of 1,4/2,5 cyclohexanetetrol. The comparison of amino acid concentration per cell with cyclitol suggests that this polyol is important in compensating the cellular osmotic pressure due to increased salinity, but other physiological functions could also be considered.     

Methanogenium marinum sp. nov., a H2-using methanogen from Skan Bay,Alaska, and kinetics of H2 utilization

A methanogen, strain AK-1, was isolated from permanently cold marine sediments, 38- to 45-cm below the sediment surface at Skan Bay, Alaska. The cells were highly irregular, nonmotile coccoids (diameter, 1 to 1.2 μm), occurring singly. Cells grew by reducing CO₂ with H₂ or formate as electron donor. Growth on formate was much slower than that on H₂. Acetate, methanol, ethanol, 1- or 2-propanol, 1- or 2-butanol and trimethylamine were not catabolized. The cells required acetate, thiamine, riboflavin, a high concentration of vitamin B₁₂, and peptones for growth; yeast extract stimulated growth but was not required. The cells grew fastest at 25 °C (range 5 °C to 25 °C), at a pH of 6.0 – 6.6 (growth range, pH 5.5 – 7.5), and at a salinity of 0.25 – 1.25 M Na⁺. Cells of this and other H₂-using methanogens from saline environments metabolized H₂ to a very low threshold pressure (less than 1 Pa) that was dependent on the methane partial pressure. We propose that the threshold pressure may be limited by the energetics of catabolism. The sequence of the 16S rDNA gene of strain AK-1 was most similar (98%) to the sequences of Methanogenium cariaci JR-1 and Methanogenium frigidum Ace-2. DNA–DNA hybridization between strain AK-1 and these two strains showed only 34.9% similarity to strain JR-1 and 56.5% similarity to strain Ace-2. These analyses indicated strain AK-1 should be classified as a new species within the genus Methanogenium. Phenotypic differences between strain AK-1 and these strains (including growth temperature, salinity range, pH range, and nutrient requirements) support this. Therefore, a new species, Methanogenium marinum, is proposed with strain AK-1 as type strain. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Functional validation of a novel isoform of Na+/H+ antiporter from Pennisetum glaucum for enhancing salinity tolerance in rice

Salt stress is an environmental factor that severely impairs plant growth and productivity. We have cloned a novel isoform of a vacuolar Na⁺/H⁺ antiporter from Pennisetum glaucum (PgNHX1) that contains 5 transmembrane domains in contrast to AtNHX1 and OsNHX1 which have 9 transmembrane domains. Recently we have shown that PgNHX1 could confer high level of salinity tolerance when overexpressed in Brassica juncea. Here, we report the functional validation of this antiporter in crop plant rice. Overexpression of PgNHX1 conferred high level of salinity tolerance in rice. Transgenic rice plants overexpressing PgNHX1 developed more extensive root system and completed their life cycle by setting flowers and seeds in the presence of 150 mM NaCl. Our data demonstrate the potential of PgNHX1 for imparting enhanced salt tolerance capabilities to salt-sensitive crop plants for growing in high saline areas.     

Implications of calcium nutrition on the response of Phaseolus vulgaris L. to salinity

The effect of Ca²⁺ level in the growth medium on the response of germination and early seedling growth of Phaseolus vulgaris to NaCl salinity was investigated. When NaCl concentration was increased germination and early seedling growth was decreased. The addition of Ca²⁺ to the media increased both germination percentage and seedling growth. Chloride concentrations were not affected by the level of Ca²⁺. Potassium and Ca²⁺ concentrations and transport from roots to shoots were decreased by NaCl, but were restored by increasing Ca²⁺ in the medium. The opposite was true for Na⁺. Leakage of NO₃ ^- and H₂PO₄ ^- was increased by salinity and reduced by high Ca²⁺ in the medium. The results are discussed in terms of the beneficial effects of calcium for plant growth under saline conditions.     

Insight into the salt tolerance factors of a wild halophytic rice, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Porteresia coarctata</Emphasis>: a physiological and proteomic approach

Salinity poses a serious threat to yield performance of cultivated rice in South Asian countries. To understand the mechanism of salt-tolerance of the wild halophytic rice, Porteresia coarctata in contrast to the salt-sensitive domesticated rice Oryza sativa, we have compared P. coarctata with the domesticated O. sativa rice varieties under salinity stress with respect to several physiological parameters and changes in leaf protein expression. P. coarctata showed a better growth performance and biomass under salinity stress. Relative water content was conserved in Porteresia during stress and sodium ion accumulation in leaves was comparatively lesser. Scanning electron microscopy revealed presence of two types of salt hairs on two leaf surfaces, each showing a different behaviour under stress. High salt stress for prolonged period also revealed accumulation of extruded NaCl crystals on leaf surface. Changes induced in leaf proteins were studied by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and subsequent quantitative image analysis. Out of more than 700 protein spots reproducibly detected and analyzed, 60% spots showed significant changes under salinity. Many proteins showed steady patterns of up- or downregulation in response to salinity stress. Twenty protein spots were analyzed by MALDI-TOF, leading to identification of 16 proteins involved in osmolyte synthesis, photosystem functioning, RubisCO activation, cell wall synthesis and chaperone functions. We hypothesize that some of these proteins confer a physiological advantage on Porteresia under salinity, and suggest a pattern of salt tolerance strategies operative in salt-marsh grasses. In addition, such proteins may turn out to be potential targets for recombinant cloning and introgression in salt-sensitive plants. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

不同秸秆填埋量对盐碱土水盐运移及垂柳反射光谱的影响

在宁夏西北盐化生态脆弱区的典型盐碱化土地,通过随机区组试验,探究在栽植穴填埋秸秆2000(T_1)、7000(T_2)、12000kg/hm~2(T_3)及17000 kg/hm~2(T_4)等作隔盐层对土壤水盐运移及垂柳(Salix babylonica)反射光谱的影响,将地下土壤水盐变化与地上植物生长及生理状况相结合,以期更准确的反映出各处理对盐碱土壤改良效果及地上植被恢复情况。研究结果表明:(1)填埋一定量的秸秆作隔盐垫层可以改变地下土壤水盐的剖面分布特征。T_2、T_3和T_4处理与对照组相比,20—80 cm土层土壤含水量都显著提高,填埋的秸秆层起到了蓄水保墒的作用;都明显降低了0—80 cm土层土壤盐分含量和盐溶质浓度;但这3种处理之间无显著差别。T_1由于填埋秸秆量过少,无显著蓄水控盐效果。(2)通过检测植物叶片反射光谱可以反映出地上植物生长及生理状况的变化。填埋一定量的秸秆作为隔盐垫层有助于改善垂柳的生理状况。T_2的垂柳叶片光合色素含量最高,光合特性及营养状况最好,其他光谱参数结果都显著提高。T_3显著提高叶绿素含量和光合特性,但效果均不如T_2,且营养状况差。T_4处理类胡萝卜素含量与叶片水分含量均处于最高水平,但叶绿素含量、营养状态以及光合特性都显著降低。T_1处理效果最差。(3)在地下填埋秸秆作隔盐层,会通过对地下土壤水盐运移及微域生态系统环境的调节,影响到地上植物生长及生理状况。综合地下水盐分布与地上植物叶片反射光谱的结果,T_2是宁夏引黄灌区盐碱地改良中最适宜的秸秆填埋量。     

Functional screening for salinity tolerant genes from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acanthus ebracteatus</Emphasis> Vahl using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> as a host

Salinity reduces plant growth and crop production globally. The discovery of genes in salinity tolerant plants will provide the basis for effective genetic engineering strategies, leading to greater stress tolerance in economically important crops. In this study, we have identified and isolated 107 salinity tolerant candidate genes from a mangrove plant, Acanthus ebracteatus Vahl by using bacterial functional assay. Sequence analysis of these putative salinity tolerant cDNA candidates revealed that 65% of them have not been reported to be stress related and may have great potential for the elucidation of unique salinity tolerant mechanisms in mangrove. Among the genes identified were also genes that had previously been linked to stress response including salinity tolerance, verifying the reliability of this method in isolating salinity tolerant genes by using E. coli as a host.     

Influence of temperature, salinity and nutrient limitation on yessotoxin production and release by the dinoflagellate Protoceratium reticulatum in batch-cultures

The toxic dinoflagellate Protoceratium reticulatum (Claparède & Lachmann) Buetschli is recurrently present in the Adriatic sea. It is the producing organism of yessotoxin (YTX) and some of its analogues and thus its presence in seawater often results in shellfish farm closure for long periods. However, molluscs become highly toxic also at the presence of low cell concentrations, due to the high YTX content present in most algal strains. As no data were available on the environmental conditions favouring growth and YTX production by Adriatic P. reticulatum strains, in the present work, we investigated the effect of nutrient limitation, salinity and temperature on growth and YTX content in P. reticulatum cultures. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) analyses were carried out to determine YTX production as well as the difference between the YTX amount retained in cells and that released in growth medium, in order to relate cell content to excretion mechanisms. The toxin content was determined in cells collected at the stationary phase, since both toxin production and release were found to be higher in this growth stage than in the exponential phase. As for nutrient-effect, a severe P-limitation strongly affected cell growth and favoured toxin accumulation, as consequences of both impaired cell division and lower toxin release. N-limited cultures, on the contrary, had a toxin content similar to controls and the highest percentage of release. P. reticulatum was confirmed to be tolerant towards salinity changes as it could grow at salinity values in the range of 22–42. The highest YTX production was observed at intermediate salinity values (32) whereas toxin release, expressed as percentage of the total amount produced, decreased as salinity increased. P. reticulatum growth was impaired in cultures kept at 26 °C in respect to those grown at 16 and 20 °C. YTX release decreased as temperature increased; however, cells kept at 26 °C displayed a very high YTX content. The environmental implications of these physiological behaviours highlight that farmed molluscs can become less toxic in colder waters at lower salinity values.     

Comparative effectiveness of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Serratia</Emphasis> sp. containing ACC-deaminase for improving growth and yield of wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.) under salt-stressed conditions

Ethylene synthesis is accelerated in response to various environmental stresses like salinity. Ten rhizobacterial strains isolated from wheat rhizosphere taken from different salt affected areas were screened for growth promotion of wheat under axenic conditions at 1, 5, 10 and 15 dS m⁻¹. Three strains, i.e., Pseudomonas putida (N21), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (N39) and Serratia proteamaculans (M35) showing promising performance under axenic conditions were selected for a pot trial at 1.63 (original), 5, 10 and 15 dS m⁻¹. Results showed that inoculation was effective even in the presence of higher salinity levels. P. putida was the most efficient strain compared to the other strains and significantly increased the plant height, root length, grain yield, 100-grain weight and straw yield up to 52, 60, 76, 19 and 67%, respectively, over uninoculated control at 15 dS m⁻¹. Similarly, chlorophyll content and K⁺/Na⁺ of leaves also increased by P. putida over control. It is highly likely that under salinity stress, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid-deaminase activity of these microbial strains might have caused reduction in the synthesis of stress (salt)-induced inhibitory levels of ethylene. The results suggested that these strains could be employed for salinity tolerance in wheat; however, P. putida may have better prospects in stress alleviation/reduction.     

Seasonal changes in plasma membrane H<Superscript>+</Superscript>-ATPase activity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vaccinium myrtillus</Emphasis> (L.) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus sylvestris</Emphasis> (L.)

Seasonal changes in vanadate sensitive plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase activity of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) were studied in a period from February to August in northern Finland. The plasma membrane isolation was performed by sucrose gradient centrifugation, and the H⁺-ATPase activity was assayed by spectrophotometrical determination of released inorganic phosphate. The studied species showed seasonal changes from high winter to low spring activity, indicating probable physiological changes between hardened and dehardened tissue. ATPase activity of bilberry peaked up at the beginning of the growth period, obviously due to active phloem loading of photosynthates.