Hydrogen Peroxide Appears to Mediate a Decrease in Hydraulic Conductivity in Wheat Roots under Salt Stress

Changes in the root diameter were measured in wheat, Triticum aestivum L., using a sensor of small displacements in osmotic experiments, and the hydraulic conductivity (L _p) of the root was calculated by the method of initial flows. The L _p decreased by two to three times during 30-min exposure in 0.1–9 mM H₂O₂. In 150 mM NaCl, changes in L _p exhibited two-phase kinetics: an initial increase in L _p by two and a half to three times, followed by a decrease to 1.6–50% of the control level within the subsequent 24 h. After one-day-long exposure of the roots in a solution containing 150 mM NaCl and 100 mg/l catalase, L _p did not differ from the control level. Root pretreatment with salicylate, which promotes the formation of H₂O₂, prevented the initial increase in L _p in 150 mM NaCl, probably, due to a drastic L _p decrease. The activity of guaiacol peroxidase in the roots increased by three times within the 20-min exposure of the roots to the salt solution. The data suggest that hydrogen peroxide can mediate the L _p decrease during the first day of salinity stress.     

根径向水流导度测定技术的改进

根系径向流的水力学性质主要是根的径向水流导度,它取决于径向水流通道的状况。利用改进的现有原位的测定根系径向水流导度的蒸腾计技术,设计了一个简便的４室吸水测定装置,可一次性获得根本质部水势和根径向水流导度,缩短测定时间１０ｍｉｎ,确保测定精度。然后用改进的装置测定了生长在不同水分条件下冬小麦（Ｔｒｉｔｉｃｕｍ ａｅｓｔｉｖｕｍＬ．）根系的径向水流导度,结果显示根系的平均径向水流导度为４．６３＊１０＾     

The Influence of Hydraulic Gradient and Rate of Erosion on Hydraulic Conductivity of Sand-Bentonite Mixtures

The use of sand-bentonite mixtures as liner materials for waste disposal is very common. In the laboratory, this study investigated hydraulic conductivities of such mixtures at different hydraulic pressure (hydraulic gradient), dry unit weights, and bentonite contents. The bentonite content and the dry unit weight of the samples were both important factors, significantly affecting the hydraulic conductivity of the liner material. A bentonite content of 5% was found to be sufficient in reaching a hydraulic conductivity under 10^?9 m/s, when the liner material was compacted under near optimum moisture content. Nevertheless, hydraulic conductivity was found to increase with hydraulic pressures, especially for the 5% bentonite mixtures subjected to pressure above 40 kPa, suggesting some degree of internal erosion (washing out of particles).

Therefore, this paper discuses the influence of internal erosion of the mixtures under a given hydraulic gradient, on the final value of k. The internal erosion of the tested mixtures was found to be influenced mainly by porosity, which can be reduced by properly selecting the sand particle size distribution and the bentonite percentage. Furthermore, this study proposed an empirical expression to predict the risk of internal erosion in the sand-bentonite mixtures, and therefore of k being higher than planned. This expression can be used for designing bentonite content and compaction to achieve very low permeability.     

Changes in Root Hydraulic Conductivity During Wheat Evolution

A better understanding of the mechanisms of water uptake by plant roots should be vital for improving drought resistance and water use efficiency (WUE). In the present study, we have demonstrated correlations between root system hydraulic conductivity and root characteristics during evolution using six wheat evolution genotypes (solution culture) with different ploidy chromosome sets (Triticum boeoticum Bioss., T. monococcum L.: 2n = 2x = 14; T. dicoccides Koern., T. dicoccon (Schrank) Schuebl.: 2n = 4x = 28;T. vulgare Vill., T. aestivum L. cv. Xiaoyan No. 6: 2n = 6x = 42). The experimental results showed that significant correlations were found between root system hydraulic conductivity and root characteristics of the materials with the increase in ploidy chromosomes (2x→6x) during wheat evolution. Hydraulic conductivity of the wheat root system at the whole-plant level was increased with chromosome ploidy during evolution, which was positively correlated with hydraulic conductivity of single roots, whole plant biomass,root average diameter, and root growth (length, area), whereas the root/shoot ratio had an inverse correlation with the hydraulic conductivity of root system with increasing chromosome ploidy during wheat evolution. Therefore, it is concluded that that the water uptake ability of wheat roots was strengthened from wild to modern cultivated species during evolution, which will provide scientific evidence for genetic breeding to improve the WUE of wheat by genetic engineering.     

Changes in Root Hydraulic Conductivity During Wheat Evolution

A better understanding of the mechanisms of water uptake by plant roots should be vital for improving drought resistance and water use efficiency (WUE). In the present study, we have demonstrated correlations between root system hydraulic conductivity and root characteristics during evolution using six wheat evolution genotypes (solution culture) with different ploidy chromosome sets (Triticum boeoticum Bioss., T. monococcum L.: 2n=2x=14;T. dicoccides Koern., T. dicoccon (Schrank) Schuebl.:2n=4x=28;T. vulgare Vill., T. aestivum L. cv. Xiaoyan No. 6:2n=6x=42). The experimental results showed that significant correlations were found between root system hydraulic conductivity and root characteristics of the materials with the increase in ploidy chromosomes (2x→6x) during wheat evolution. Hydraulic conductivity of the wheat root system at the whole-plant level was increased with chromosome ploidy during evolution, which was positively correlated with hydraulic conductivity of single roots, whole plant biomass,root average diameter, and root growth (length, area), whereas the root/shoot ratio had an inverse correlation with the hydraulic conductivity of root system with increasing chromosome ploidy during wheat evolution. Therefore, it is concluded that that the water uptake ability of wheat roots was strengthened from wild to modern cultivated species during evolution, which will provide scientific evidence for genetic breeding to improve the WUE of wheat by genetic engineering.     

Aerenchyma Formed Under Phosphorus Deficiency Contributes to the Reduced Root Hydraulic Conductivity in Maize Roots

Root hydraulic conductivity has been shown to decrease under phosphorus （P） deficiency. This study Investigated how the formation of aerenchyma is related to this change. Root anatomy, as well as root hydraulic conductivity was studied In maize （Zea mays L.） roots under different phosphorus nutrition conditions. Plant roots under P stress showed enhanced degradation of cortical cells and the aerenchyma formation was associated with their reduced root hydraulic conductivity, supporting our hypothesis that air spaces that form in the cortex of phosphorusstressed roots Impede the radial transport of water in a root cylinder. Further evidence came from the variation In aerenchyma formation due to genotypic differences. Five maize inbred lines with different porosity in their root cortex showed a significant negative correlation with their root hydraulic conductivity. Shoot relative water content was also found lower In P-deficient maize plants than that in P-sufficient ones when such treatment was prolonged enough, suggesting a limitation of water transport due to lowered root hydraulic conductivity of P-deficient plants.     

华南丘陵地区农林复合生态系统晚稻田甲烷和氧化亚氮排放

采用静态箱-气相色谱法对晚稻田甲烷(CH4)和氧化亚氮(N2O)排放进行田间原位测定。结果表明,有植株参与的稻田CH4排放通量季节变化与地下5cm温度呈显著正相关关系。稻田CH4和N2O季节平均排放通量在有植株参与时分别为1.16±0.38mgm-2h-1和42.33±20.00μgm-2h-1,而无植株参与的分别为0.15±0.11mgm-2h-1和51.69±15.87μgm-2h-1。水稻种植对CH4的排放影响较大,对N2O的排放影响较小,有植株参与的稻田CH4平均排放量显著高于无植株参与的稻田,N2O的平均排放量无显著差异。     

Effects of Phosphorus Nutrient on the Hydraulic Conductivity of Sorghum (Sorghum vulgare Pers.) Seedling Roots Under Water Deficiency

Hydroponic experiments were conducted in a growth chamber and changes in the hydraulic conductivity of sorghum (Sorghum vulgare Pers.) roots (Lpr) at the three-leaf stage were measured using the pressure chamber method. Water deficiency was imposed with polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 and the phosphorus (P) levels were controlled by complete Hoagland solution with and without P nutrient. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of P nutrition on root Lpr under water deficiency. The results showed that the Lpr in P deficiency treatments decreased markedly, but the Lpr recovered to the same value as that of control when sufficient P was supplied for 4-24 h. Water deficiency decreased Lpr, but the hydraulic conductivity of the roots with sufficient P supply was still higher than that of plants without P supply. When resuming water supply, the Lpr of the water-deficient plants under P supply recovered faster than that of plants without P supply, which indicates that plants with sufficient P nutrient are more drought tolerant and have a greater ability to recover after drought. The treatment of HgCl2 indicated that P nutrient could regulate the Lpr by affecting the activity and the expression levels of aquaporins.     

南亚热带10种造林树种的水力结构和水力安全

南亚热带地区人工纯林面积大, 但是结构简单, 对气候变化响应敏感。在区域气候干旱化的背景下, 造林树种的生理生态策略及其对季节性干旱的响应亟待研究。该研究选择南亚热带地区10种造林树种(包括6种乡土种和4种外来种), 测定这些树种的平均生长速率、水力学性状以及经济学性状, 分析性状与生长速率之间的相关关系, 并比较水力安全边际和气孔安全边际的种间差异。结果发现: (1)造林树种的生长速率与木质部导水率显著正相关, 但与木材密度、比叶面积以及水力安全性指标无显著相关性。(2)造林树种的水分传导效率性和安全性之间没有权衡关系, 外来树种Acacia crassicarpa和Eucalyptus grandis × urophylla同时具有较高的木质部导水率和较强的抗栓塞能力。(3)造林树种的水力安全边际和气孔安全边际的种间差异显著, 大叶相思(Acacia auriculiformis)、红锥(Castanopsis hystrix)、壳菜果(Mytilaria laosensis)和阴香(Cinnamomum burmannii)在干季发生水力失败的风险较高。建议南亚热带人工林的生态监测指标体系中应包括树木水力学性状, 进而为人工林的可持续经营管理提供重要参考。     

Properties of Fly Ash as Hydraulic Barrier

This study examines the suitability of pozzolanic fly ash as a hydraulic barrier and the use of bentonite to enhance geotechnical properties of fly ash. The behavior of fly ash is studied not only with water but also with different pore fluids, such as acid, alkali, salts, and neutral organic fluid to assess its chemical compatibility. While some geotechnical properties of fly ash meet the requirements of liner material, the disadvantage of using of fly ash alone is that it has a low cation exchange capacity and high hydraulic conductivity. The compressibility of fly ash reduces with alkaline solution but increases with acidic solutions. While alkaline or neutral inorganic solutions do not affect the hydraulic conductivity of fly ash, the addition of dilute acid increases the hydraulic conductivity. Addition of bentonite improves the geotechnical properties of fly ash such as cation exchange capacity, shrinkage and volume change behavior, etc. Fly ash-bentonite mixtures possess low shrinkage and hence do not crack. Compacted fly ash-bentonite mixtures undergo very little volume changes under various stress conditions. The hydraulic conductivity of fly ash is reduced after amendment with bentonite. Though the unconfined compressive strength of the mixture is lower than that of fly ash alone, the fly ash-bentonite mixture still possesses good strength. The compressibility of fly ash bentonite mixtures are lower with different pore fluids studied than with water. The hydraulic conductivity of fly ash-bentonite mixtures are slightly higher in different pore fluids studied than with water.     

Apoptosis Dependent Decrease of the Intramembrane Ion Traffic in Cultured Mouse Fibroblasts Shown by Conductivity Dispersion

We have investigated the intramembranal ion traffic in apoptotic 3T6 cells in culture. Apoptosis was induced by various treatments, such as serum deprivation, high density growth and hydrogen peroxide at subnecrotic doses. Cell death was assessed by nucleosomal DNA fragmentation, single cell electrophoresis, immunofluorescence and histological staining. To study the modifications of membrane structure and function, we adopted a well established biophysical strategy based on the measurement of the electrical conductivity of cell suspensions, as a function of the frequency of the electrical field applied to the sample. A comparison between the conductivity of normal and apoptotic cell suspensions shows that programmed cell death causes a decrease of membrane conductivity which indicates a diminished intramembranal ion traffic. Our results strongly suggest that one of the early events in the triggering of apoptosis is represented by an overall reduction of plasma membrane function. Finally, our results are in agreement with the idea that the nucleus is not the sole target of the apoptotic process.     

Effects of Phosphorus Nutrient on the Hydraulic Conductivity of Sorghum （Sorghum vulgare Pers.） Seedling Roots Under Water Deficiency

Hydroponic experiments were conducted in a growth chamber and changes in the hydraulic conductivity of sorghum (Sorghum vulgare Pers.) roots (Lpr) at the three-leaf stage were measured using the pressure chamber method. Water deficiency was imposed with polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 and the phosphorus (P) levels were controlled by complete Hoagland solution with and without P nutrient. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of P nutrition on root Lpr under water deficiency. The results showed that the Lpr in P deficiency treatments decreased markedly, but the Lpr recovered to the same value as that of control when sufficient P was supplied for 4-24 h. Water deficiency decreased Lpr, but the hydraulic conductivity of the roots with sufficient P supply was still higher than that of plants without P supply. When resuming water supply, the Lpr of the water-deficient plants under P supply recovered faster than that of plants without P supply, which indicates that plants with sufficient P nutrient are more drought tolerant and have a greater ability to recover after drought. The treatment of HgCl2 indicated that P nutrient could regulate the Lpr by affecting the activity and the expression levels of aquaporins.     

中国主要农区稻田稗草分类与多样性研究

将采自中国15个省和1个直辖市的206份稗属（Echinochloa）植物种子分别播种在相同栽培条件下,获得了206份子代样本及其21项形态性状数据,基于这些形态性状对206份稗属植物样本进行了聚类和主成分分析。结果表明：（1）从206份稗属植物样本中鉴别出了形态性状相对一致的8个分类群（G1-G8）,依次对应于湖南稗子（Echinochloa frumentaceae,2份样本）、水田稗（E.oryzoides,5份）、细叶旱稗（E.crus-galli var.praticola,6份）、硬稃稗（E.glabrescens,14份）、光头稗（E.colona,2份）、长芒稗（E.caudata,16份）、孔雀稗（E.cruspavonis,8份）、稗复合群（稗原变种E.crus-galli var.crus-galli、稗的变种无芒稗var.mitis、短芒稗var.breviseta和西来稗var.zelayensis,共150份）,还有3份样本没有聚合成组。它们依次占总样本量的0.97%、0.97%、2.42%、2.91%、3.88%、7.77%、6.80%、72.81%和1.46%,反映出中国主要农区稻田稗属植物主要以稗及其变种为主;（2）单因素方差分析表明,9个数量性状,包括叶长、叶宽、圆锥花序长度、总状花序长度、小穗芒长、小穗长度、第1颖长度/小穗长度、主茎直径和株高,在稗属植物的8个分类群（G1-G8）之间有显著差异;（3）根据8个分类群之间的形态性状特点及差异,给出了鉴别中国主要农区稻田稗属植物的分种检索表;（4）由于细叶旱稗具有总状花序简单、小穗无芒、叶较宽、植株高大、小穗紫黑色等独特形态性状,在206份稗属植物样本的聚类图上单独聚成一组,故建议将细叶旱稗作为独立种处理。     

Effects of Adding Alkaline Material on the Heavy Metal Chemical Fractions in Soil under Flooded and Non-Flooded Conditions

We investigated the effect of adding an alkaline material (containing calcium carbonate and gypsum) on the immobilization of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) in a paddy soil slightly contaminated with Cd and Zn under flooded and non-flooded conditions in the laboratory. Adding the alkaline material increased the soil pH and significantly decreased the exchangeable fraction of all of the metals, especially for Cd (>75% decrease) and Zn (ca. 90% decrease), under both flooded and non-flooded conditions. Drying the flooded soil samples increased the ratio of exchangeable fraction to the total fraction, particularly for Cd. The exchangeable fraction ratio was lower in the dried, previously flooded samples that contained the alkaline material than in the samples that did not contain the alkaline material, indicating that adding the alkaline material would be an effective way of immobilizing heavy metals during the oxidation of anoxic soils. These results show that the alkaline material can be used to immobilize heavy metals under both anoxic and oxic conditions, and that the effects of flooding and amending a paddy soil with alkaline material on the chemical forms will be different between heavy metals.     

福建稻田生态系统分析

福建地处我国东南沿海,北纬23°26′—28°22′,东经116°—120°,依山面海。土地面积1.207×10~5km~2(折1.207×10~7ha),人口2800.82万,人均0.43ha。境内山峦起伏,海拔高0—2158m,地形复杂。耕地1.2439×10~6ha,占土地面积的10.1%,人均耕地0.045ha,为山多人多耕地少的省份。稻田9.56×10~5ha,其中75.4%分布于山区,多为中低产田,平均年产6165kg·ha~(-1);24.6%分布在沿海冲积平原,平均年产10042.5kg·ha~(-1)。现将稻田生态系统综合分析如下,为提高稻作产量,解决福建粮食问题提供参考。     

水分浸泡过夜对刺槐枝条最大水分导度测定的影响及年龄差异

枝条最大水分导度是植物水分生理学研究中的核心指标之一，冲洗法是当前用来测定该指标最常用的方法，但在实验测定之前首先必须要找到获得稳定的最大水分导度的可靠方法。本研究中，我们以刺槐（Robinia pseudoacacia L.）不同年龄枝条为实验材料，通过枝条采集后立即用于实验测定和枝条经超纯水中浸泡过夜后再用于实验这两种不同处理方式对不同年龄枝条最大水分导度测定的影响，检测两种处理方式中枝条最大水分导度随冲洗时间的延长是否保持恒定来判断最大水分导度测定值的可靠性，探讨提高枝条最大水分导度测定结果稳定性的有效方法。结果显示：①未浸泡过夜的当年生枝条，经150 kPa压力冲洗达到最大导水率后，继续延长冲洗时间枝条导水率会呈近线性下降，而经超纯水浸泡过夜的当年生枝条以同样实验方法达到最大导水率后，继续延长冲洗时间枝条的导水率基本保持稳定。②二年生枝条无论是否经超纯水浸泡过夜处理，经150 kPa压力冲洗达到最大导水率后枝条的导水率都基本保持稳定，但经超纯水浸泡过夜后，二年生枝条达到最大导水率所需的冲洗时间明显比未浸泡处理短。③根据茎横截面上木质部面积所占百分比和枝条木质密度判断，实验期间当年生枝条的木质化程度明显比二年生枝条低。我们推测未经浸泡过夜的当年生枝条出现木质部水分导度随冲洗时间延长而下降是由于枝条遭受机械性损伤后产生的分泌物在冲洗过程中被引入导管堵塞导管腔所致，而超纯水浸泡枝条过夜可有效降低分泌物被引入导管的可能性。因此，我们认为超纯水浸泡枝条过夜，可提高枝条最大水分导度测定结果的稳定性。     

Hydraulic efficiency and safety of branch xylem increases with height in Sequoia sempervirens (D. Don) crowns

The hydraulic limitation hypothesis of Ryan & Yoder (1997, Bioscience 47, 235-242) suggests that water supply to leaves becomes increasingly difficult with increasing tree height. Within the bounds of this hypothesis, we conjectured that the vertical hydrostatic gradient which gravity generates on the water column in tall trees would cause a progressive increase in xylem 'safety' (increased resistance to embolism and implosion) and a concomitant decrease in xylem 'efficiency' (decreased hydraulic conductivity). We based this idea on the historically recognized concept of a safety-efficiency trade-off in xylem function, and tested it by measuring xylem conductivity and vulnerability to embolism of Sequoia sempervirens branches collected at a range of heights. Measurements of resistance of branch xylem to embolism did indeed show an increase in 'safety' with height. However, the expected decrease in xylem 'efficiency' was not observed. Instead, sapwood-specific hydraulic conductivities (Ks) of branches increased slightly, while leaf-specific hydraulic conductivities increased dramatically, with height. The latter could be largely explained by strong vertical gradients in specific leaf area. The increase in Ks with height corresponded to a decrease in xylem wall fraction (a measure of wall thickness), an increase in percentage of earlywood and slight increases in conduit diameter. These changes are probably adaptive responses to the increased transport requirements of leaves growing in the upper canopy where evaporative demand is greater. The lack of a safety-efficiency tradeoff may be explained by opposing height trends in the pit aperture and conduit diameter of tracheids and the major and semi-independent roles these play in determining xylem safety and efficiency, respectively.     

Characteristics and turnover of exopolymeric substances in a hypersaline microbial mat

The properties and microbial turnover of exopolymeric substances (EPS) were measured in a hypersaline nonlithifying microbial mat (Eleuthera, Bahamas) to investigate their potential role in calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) precipitation. Depth profiles of EPS abundance and enzyme activities indicated that c . 80% of the EPS were turned over in the upper 15–20 mm. Oxic and anoxic mat homogenates amended with low-molecular-weight (LMW) organic carbon, sugar monomers, and different types of EPS revealed rapid consumption of all substrates. When comparing the consumption of EPS with that of other substrates, only marginally longer lag times and lower rates were observed. EPS (5–8%) were readily consumed during the conversion of labile to refractory EPS. This coincided with a decrease in glucosidase activity and a decrease in the number of acidic functional groups on the EPS. Approximately half of the calcium bound to the EPS remained after 10 dialyses steps. This tightly bound calcium was readily available to precipitate as CaCO₃. We present a conceptual model in which LMW organic carbon complexed with the tightly bound calcium is released upon enzyme activity. This increases alkalinity and creates binding sites for carbonate and allows CaCO₃ to precipitate. Therefore, this model explains interactions between EPS and CaCO₃ precipitation, and underscores the critical role of aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms in early diagenesis and lithification processes.     

有机肥和无机肥对稻田养分循环的影响

一、引言研究养分在农田生态系统中的循环,是农业生态学的重要内容之一。对有机肥和无机肥肥效及其对农作物产量的影响曾有过不少研究。虽然大量研究表明有机肥对水稻产量的作用与化肥一样有效,甚至更好,也有许多试验,尤其是一些长期对比试验表明有机肥对作物产量的作用不及化肥,只是使用有机肥的试验小区有很长的残效,连续使用20年家畜肥的小区停肥40年后,大麦产量仍为对照化肥小