Lead uptake and the effects of EDTA on lead-tissue concentrations in the desert species mesquite (Prosopis spp.)

Experimental results have shown that the desert plant species mesquite (Prosopis spp.) is capable of accumulating high levels of lead in the roots, translocating it to the aerial portion of the plant. One-week-old mesquite seedlings were treated for 7 d in a hydroponic culture using a modified Hoagland solution. Six treatments were used; three treatments contained only Pb [as Pb(NO3)2] at 25-, 50-, and 75-mg L(-1) levels and three treatments contained the same levels of Pb, but with equimolar concentrations of disodium ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA). Our results showed that the plants exposed to 25-, 50-, and 75-mg Pb L(-1) treatments without EDTA concentrated in stems 524, 3726, and 1417 mg kg(-1), respectively. However, the plants treated with Pb-EDTA concentrated in stems 480-, 607-, and 1247-mg Pb kg(-1) for the 25-, 50-, and 75-mg Pb L(-1) treatments, respectively. Results for the roots followed a similar trend; without EDTA the Pb levels ranged from 16,055, 89,935, and 63,396 for the 25-, 50-, and 75-mg Pb L(-1) treatments, respectively, and with EDTA these levels were 9,562, 49,902, and 39,181 mg kg(-1) for the three treatments. However, the addition of EDTA increased lead movement to the leaves. The levels of Pb without EDTA were 20, 35, and 51 mg kg(-1) for the 25-, 50-, and 75-mg Pb L(-1) levels, respectively. Treatments with EDTA showed uptake levels of 105, 124, and 313 for the 25-, 50-, and 75-mg Pb L(-1) treatments. Further, the percent Pb in dry leaf tissues for all EDTA treatments were greater than 0.1%. However, only the 25-mg Pb L(-1) treatment was greater than 0.1%, compared to 0.04 and 0.08% for the 50- and 75-mg Pb L(-1) treatments, respectively. Preliminary transmission and scanning electron microscopy corroborate the presence of lead.     

Isolation and identification of plant growth inhibitors as candidate(s) for allelopathic substance(s), from aqueous leachate from mesquite (Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC.) leaves

As candidate(s) for allelopathic substance(s), two plant growthinhibitors were isolated from aqueous leachate of leaves of mesquite, whichshowa strong allelopathy, and which were identified as syringin and(–)-lariciresinol by their spectral analyses. Syringin inhibited root andshoot growth of lettuce seedlings at concentrations greater than 0.8M, and root and shoot growth of barnyard grass seedlings atconcentrations greater than 2.7 and 26.9 M, respectively. Onthe other hand, (–)-lariciresinol inhibited root and shoot growth oflettuce seedlings at concentrations greater than 2.8 and 0.8M,and root and shoot growth of barnyard grass seedling at concentrations greaterthan 0.8 and 2.8 M, respectively. The contents of syringin and(–)-lariciresinol in the rhizosphere soil of mesquite were 0.34 and 0.38g/g soil, respectively. These results indicate that syringinand (–)-lariciresinol are allelopathic substance(s), and may play rolesinthe allelopathy of mesquite.     

Decomposition of leaves of huisache (Acacia tortuoso) and mesquite (Prosopis spp) in soil of the central highlands of Mexico

In the central highlands of Mexico, mesquite (Prosopis spp) and huisache (Acacia tortuoso), N₂ fixing trees or shrubs, dominate the vegetation and are used in an alley cropping system to prevent erosion and restore soil fertility. We investigated how much the leaves of both trees contribute to dynamics of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in soil by adding leaves of both species to soil sampled under the canopy of mesquite and huisache, outside their canopy and from fields cultivated with maize at three different sites and monitoring microbial biomass C, production of carbon dioxide (CO₂), and dynamics of inorganic N (ammonium and nitrate) in an aerobic incubation. The soluble fraction and N content of the mesquite leaves were larger than in the huisache leaves, but lignin and polyphenol content were lower. Evolution of CO₂ increased 2.7-times when mesquite and 2.4-times when huisache leaves were added to soil. During all stages of decomposition and in all treatments, C mineralization of leaves from mesquite was greater than from huisache leaves. Mesquite leaves induced an increase in mineral N of 25.6 mg N kg^–1 soil after 56 days and those of huisache 9.8 mg N kg^–1. Twenty-six percent of N from mesquite leaves and 11% of huisache was mineralized, if no priming effect was considered. Nitrogen release from the leaves was greater when the soil organic matter content was lower. It was found that soil under the canopy of mesquite and huisache effectively accumulated organic material, micro-organisms and valuable nutrients. In an alley cropping system huisache might be a better choice than mesquite as huisache grows faster than mesquite and sheds its leaves twice a year while mesquite only once, although the amount of N mineralized was larger from mesquite leaves than from those of huisache.     

Comparison of root absorption, translocation and tolerance of arsenic in the hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata and the nonhyperaccumulator Pteris tremula

* Several fern species can hyperaccumulate arsenic, although the mechanisms are not fully understood. Here we investigate the roles of root absorption, translocation and tolerance in As hyperaccumulation by comparing the hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata and the nonhyperaccumulator Pteris tremula. * The two species were grown in a pot experiment with 0-500 mg As kg-1 added as arsenate, and in a short-term (8 h) uptake experiment with 5 microM arsenate under phosphorus-sufficient conditions. * In the pot experiment, P. vittata accumulated up to 2500 mg As kg-1 frond d. wt and suffered no phytotoxicity. P. tremula accumulated<100 mg As kg-1 frond d. wt and suffered severe phytotoxicity with additions of >or=25 mg As kg-1. In the short-term uptake experiment, P. vittata had a 2.2-fold higher rate of arsenate uptake than P. tremula, and distributed more As taken up to the fronds (76%) than did P. tremula (9%). * Our results show that enhanced root uptake, efficient root-to-shoot translocation, and a much elevated tolerance through internal detoxification all contribute to As hyperaccumulation in P. vittata.     

Arsenic tolerance, uptake and translocation by seedlings of three rice cultivars

By simulating the anaerobic conditions with agar nutrient solutions, effect of arsenic (As) on the growth and As uptake by hybrid, conventional and glutinous rice cultivars were studied. It showed insignificant effect of As on the root dry weights of three rice cultivars when treated by As of different concentrations. The shoot dry weights of hybrid and glutinous decreased with As concentrations increasing, while low concentrations of As (0.5 mg L^?1) could enhance the growth of conventional rice. Generally, As concentrations in roots and shoots increased as As concentrations of treatment solutions increasing. The root system had strong ability to uptake and accumulate As. The root As concentrations ranged from 156 to 504 mg kg^?1, representing 63.40%–81.90% of the total As concentrations in rice, which were much higher than shoot As concentrations. The fact that the glutinous rice had higher biomass, higher tolerance, and lower As concentrations in its roots and shoots than the other two rice cultivars proved that the glutinous rice was more applicable to As-polluted soils.     

不同水稻品系幼苗对砷（As）的耐性、吸收及转运

利用琼脂培养基模拟水稻生长的厌氧环境,研究了As对不同水稻品系幼苗生长的影响以及As在其体内的积累及转运特性.结果表明,不同浓度(0～4.0mg/L)的As对供试水稻品系根部干物质积累无显著影响(P>0.05).杂交稻与糯稻的地上部干物质积累随基质中As浓度的增加呈减小趋势,但低剂量的As(0.5mg/L)促进常规稻的生长.水稻地上部的As积累量随基质中As浓度的升高总体均呈增加趋势.水稻根系对As具有较强的吸收与累积能力.水稻根部As的积累量为156.31～504 03mg/kg,占总As含量的63.40～81.90%,远远高于其地上部As的积累量.相比于其它两个品系,糯稻的生物量积累高,耐性指数较大,根部及地上部对As的积累量较低,因此更适合种植在As污染土壤.     

水稻砷污染及其对砷的吸收和代谢机制

水稻是当今世界大部分地区(尤其是东南亚)的主要的粮食作物之一,同时也是砷(As)进入食物链的主要途径之一。日益严重的水稻田As污染,不但影响了稻米的产量和品质,而且通过食物链威胁着人体健康。如何减少水稻地上部(尤其是米粒)As的含量和降低其毒性,及提高水稻As耐性是亟需解决的世界食品安全问题。深入了解水稻对As的吸收、积累和代谢的生理及分子生物学机制是解决水稻As污染的关键途径。综述国内外研究,对今后深入研究提出建议。     

Effects of plant size on photosynthesis and water relations in the desert shrub Prosopis glandulosa (Fabaceae)

The Jornada del Muerto basin of the Chihuahuan Desert of southern New Mexico, USA, has undergone a marked transition of plant communities. Shrubs such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) have greatly increased or now dominate in areas that were previously dominated by perennial grasses. The replacement of grasses by shrubs requires an establishment phase where small shrubs must compete directly with similar-sized grass plants. This is followed by a phase in which large, established shrubs sequester nutrients and water within their biomass and alter soil resources directly under their canopy, creating “islands” of fertility. We hypothesized that these two phases were associated with shrubs having different physiological response capacities related to their age or size and the resource structure of the environment. As a corollary, we hypothesized that responses of small shrubs would be more tightly coupled to variation in soil moisture availability compared to large shrubs. To test these hypotheses, we studied gas exchange and water relations of small (establishing) and large (established) shrubs growing in the Jornada del Muerto as a function of varying soil moisture during the season. The small shrubs had greater net assimilation, stomatal conductance, transpiration, and xylem water potential than large shrubs following high summer rainfall in July, and highest seasonal soil moisture at 0.3 m. High rates of carbon assimilation and water use would be an advantage for small shrubs competing with grasses when shallow soil moisture was plentiful. Large shrubs had greater net assimilation and water-use efficiency, and lower xylem water potential than small shrubs following a dry period in September, when soil moisture at 0.3 m was lowest. Low xylem water potentials and high water-use efficiency would allow large shrubs to continue acquiring and conserving water as soil moisture is depleted. Although the study provides evidence of differences in physiological responses of different-sized shrubs, there was not support for the hypothesis that small shrubs are more closely coupled to variation in soil moisture availability than large shrubs. Small shrubs may actually be less coupled to soil moisture than large shrubs, and thus avoid conditions when continued transpiration could not be matched by equivalent water uptake.     

As(V) Reduction,As(III) Oxidation,and Cr(VI) Reduction by Multi-metal-resistant Bacillus subtilis,Bacillus safensis,and Bacillus cereus Species Isolated from Wastewater Treatment Plant

Industrial progress has resulted in threatening concentrations of toxic metals in various areas of the world. Bioremediation is an economical alternative to chemical methods. Bacteria resistant to As(III), As(V), Cr, Co, Cu, Cd, Hg, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn were isolated from the wastewater treatment plant of Kasur, Pakistan. Highest resistance against all metals was exhibited by MX-1, MX-3, MX-4, and MX-5. The isolates possessed dual ability to oxidize as well as to reduce As. Highest As(V) reduction (454 µM) was exhibited by MX-1, while most As(III) oxidation was shown by MX-3 (170 µM). The isolates were also capable of reducing Cr(VI), and maximum Cr(VI) reduction (500 µM) was exhibited by MX-3. Transformation of DH5α with MX-1 plasmid showed that resistance genes for As(III), As(V), Cr, Cd, Se, Hg, and Ni were plasmid borne, while in case of MX-3, resistance genes for As(III), As(V), Co, Cu, Se, Pb, Zn, and Ni were present on plasmid. MX-1 and MX-3 were also positive for auxin production (37 and 32.96 µg ml^?1, respectively). MX-3 was also found to produce hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and solubilized phosphate. These isolates promoted plant (Vigna radiata) growth both in the presence and absence of the metals. MX-1, MX-3, and MX-5 were identified as Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus safensis, and Bacillus cereus through 16S rRNA gene sequencing, respectively. Such bacteria having multiple traits of resisting multiple metals, dual ability to oxidize/reduce As, and reduce Cr(VI) along with the ability to support plant growth are good tools for remediation of metal-contaminated sites and its cultivation.     

Salinity tolerance of the tree legumes: Mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa var.torreyana,P. velutina andP. articulata) Algarrobo (P. chilensis), Kiawe (P. pallida) and Tamarugo (P. tamarugo) grown in sand culture on nitrogen-free media

Summary Sand culture pot experiments were carried out with Proposis seedlings in the greenhouse on a nitrogen free nutrient solution with increasing levels of sodium chloride. All species tolerated a 6,000 mg/l salinity with no reduction in growth.P. velutina was the only species that poorly tolerated the 12,000 mg/l salinity level.P. articulata, P. pallida, andP. tamarugo tolerated 18,000 mg/l NaCl with little reduction in growth and grew slightly in a salinity (36,000 mg/l NaCl) greater than seawater. This is the first legume known to grown in salinities equivalent to seawater.     

Phytofiltration of arsenic-contaminated groundwater using Pteris vittata L.: effect of plant density and nitrogen and phosphorus levels

This field-scale hydroponic experiment investigated the effects of plant density and nutrient levels on arsenic (As) removal by the As-hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata L. (Chinese brake fern). All ferns were grown in plastic tanks containing 30 L of As-contaminated groundwater (130 microg x L(-1) As) collected from South Florida. The treatments consisted of four plant densities (zero, one, two, or four plants per 30 L), two nitrogen (N) concentrations (50% or 100% of 0.25-strength Hoagland solution [HS]), and two phosphorous (P) concentrations (15% and 30% of 0.25 strength HS). While low P was more effective than high P for plant As removal initially, N levels showed little effect. At 15% P, it took 3 wk for the ferns at a plant density of four to reduce As to less than 10 microg L(-1) (USEPA and WHO standard), whereas it took 4-6 wk at plant densities of one or two. For reused ferns, established plants with more extensive roots than "first-time" ferns, a low plant density of one plant/30 L was more effective, reducing As in water to less than 10 microg L(-1) in 8 h. This translates to an As removal rate of 400 microg h(-l) plant(-1), which is the highest rate reported to date. Arsenic-concentration in tanks with no plants as a control remained high throughout the experiment. Using more established ferns supplemented with dilute nutrients (0.25 HS with 25% N and 15% P) with optimized plant density (one plant per 30 L) reduced interplant competition and secondary contamination from nutrients, and can be recommended for phytofiltration of As-contaminated groundwater. This study demonstrated that P. vittata is effective in remediating As-contaminated groundwater to meet recommended standards.     

Interaction of lime,organic matter and fertilizer on growth and uptake of arsenic and mercury by Zorro fescue (Vulpia myuros L.)

The Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine (SBMM) is an abandoned open pit mine located on the eastern shores of Clear Lake, California. Revegetation efforts have been difficult because the mine-soils at SBMM have low pH, low fertility and elevated As and Hg concentrations. In a greenhouse study, we examined the interactions of lime, N, P and OM additions with respect to plant growth, and As and Hg uptake. Three selected acidic mine-soils from the site containing high (164 mg/kg) (S-H), medium (123 mg/kg) (S-M) and low (31 mg/kg) (S-L) total As content were planted to the Eurasian annual grass, Zorro fescue (Vulpia myuros L.). The Hg concentrations for these soils varied between 1700 and 3000 mg/kg with S-L > S-H S-M. A factorial design used 3 soils, 2 lime, 2 N, 2 P and 2 OM treatments with treatments replicated three times. Multiple regression analyses indicated a strong relationship between As plant uptake, root length density (RLD) and soluble As. A highly significant linear relationship between Hg uptake and RLD for plants growing on the three soils illustrated the importance of plant root characteristics in influencing Hg uptake. Soluble As decreased in the order S-H > S-M > S-L in positive correlation with P and DOC but in inverse relationship to oxalate extractable Fe. Lime and OM additions correlated negatively with soluble Hg and Hg tissue concentration due to either Hg adsorption to OM or to inorganic surfaces. Addition of lime increased dry matter yield and Hg uptake in all three soils.     

Woody plant invasion of grasslands: establishment of honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa var.glandulosa) on sites differing in herbaceous biomass and grazing history

Summary Emergence and survival of honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa var.glandulosa Torr.) seedlings was quantified on sites with contrasting grazing histories: long-term continuous grazing (LTG) and long-term protection (LTP) from grazing by cattle. On each site, different levels of heroaceous defoliation were imposed at monthly intervals (no defoliation=ND, moderate=MD and heavy=HD). The two weeks following seed dissemination appeared to be the most critical toProsopis establishment on LTP-ND plots. Openings in the herbaceous layer created by moderate defoliation of grasses on the LTP site increased germination and/or survival 7-to 8-fold during this period. However, increasing the degree of defoliation from moderate to heavy did not stimulate additional emergence on either the LTP or LTG site. Emergence from scarified seed placed in cattle dung (17 to 30%) was lower than that of bare seed placements in various microhabitats (43–60%). However, deposition of scarifiedProsopis seed in dung in conjunction with graminoid defoliation may be the most likely combination of events when livestock are present. Emergence from seeds transported into grasslands by other fauna likely would be low, unless seeds were deposited in areas where grasses had been defoliated.Prosopis survival was comparably high in dung and bare seed placements after one growing season. survival of seedlings present two weeks after seed dissemination ranged from 74 to 97% at the end of the second growing season. Seedling survival and shoot development (biomass, leaf area and height) were similar on LTP and LTG sites, regardless of the level of herbaceous defoliation or seed placement. In addition, the magnitude and patterns of net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and xylem water potential were comparable among one-year-old seedtings on ND, MD and HD plots, even though differences in herbaceous species composition and above- and below-ground biomass between these treatments were substantial. Such data suggest competition for soil resources between grasses andProsopis may be minimal early in the life cycle ofProsopis. High rates ofProsopis emergence and establishment on LTP-MD plots are counter to the widespread assumption that long-term and/or heavy grazing is requisite forProsopis encroachment into grasslands. Results are discussed with regard to factors contributing to the recent, widespread invasion of this woody legume into grasslands of southwestern North America.Abbreviations LTG long-term grazed - LTP long-term protected from grazing - ND non-defoliated - MD moderate defoliation - HD heavy defoliation     

Manganese and Arsenic Oxidation Performance of Bacterium-Yunotaki 86 (BY86) from Hokkaido,Japan, and the Bacterium's Phylogeny

We examined the Mn(II) oxidation performance of a bacterium, BY86, collected at Yunotaki Falls Hokkaido, Japan. The bacterium showed rapid oxidation of Mn(II), and brown precipitates containing Mn formed within a few days of incubation. The presence of higher oxidation states of Mn than Mn(II) was ascertained by the UV-vis and XANES sutdy. This bacterium did not oxidize As(III) to As(V) in the absence of Mn. In the presence of Mn, however, As(III) was rapidly oxidized to As(V) on the cell surfaces. These findings indicate that BY86 does not have the ability to directly oxidize As(III) to As(V) within a short period of contact, but indirectly oxidizes it by the Mn oxides generated on the cell surfaces. A phylogenetical study disclosed that BY86 was most closely related to Bacillus cereus with an identity of 99.90%. It is expected that our findings in this study will contribute to the study of Mn(II)-oxidizing bacteria, which play an important role in the biogeochemical cycling of Mn as well as other trace elements including As.     

植物根际促生菌作用机制研究进展

植物在生长过程中可能会遭受许多生物和非生物因素胁迫,从而降低生物产量. 人们已知一些植物在不同因素的刺激诱导下,能系统化建立抵抗或忍受不利因素的机制,植物根际促生菌（PGPR）就是其中一类能定殖于根系并促进植物生长的细菌.本文对PGPR促生机制进行归纳和总结,系统阐述了诱导体系抗性和诱导体系产生忍耐力两大促生机制.PGPR的作用机制的多样性暗示着其可能在更多的农业生态系统中得到应用.     

Effects of indole-3-acetic acid on arsenic uptake and antioxidative enzymes in Pteris cretica var. nervosa and Pteris ensiformis

A hydroponic experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) on arsenic (As) uptake and antioxidative enzymes in fronds of Pteris cretica var. nervosa (As hyperaccumulator) and Pteris ensiformis (non-hyperaccumulator). Plants were exposed to 2 mg L^?1 As(III), As(V) or dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) and IAA concentrations for 14 d. The biomass and total As in the plants significantly increased at 30 mg L^?1 IAA. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities significantly increased with IAA addition. Catalase (CAT) activities showed a significant increase in P. ensiformis exposed to three As species at 30 or 50 mg L^?1 IAA but varied in P. cretica var. nervosa. Peroxidase (POD) activities were unchanged in P. ensiformis except for a significant decrease at 50 mg L^?1 IAA under As(III) treatment. However, a significant increase was observed in P. cretica var. nervosa at 10 mg L^?1 IAA under As(III) or DMA treatment and at 50 mg L^?1 IAA under As(V) treatment. Under DMA stress, malondialdehyde contents in fronds of P. cretica var. nervosa showed a significant decrease at 10 mg L^?1 IAA but remained unchanged in P. ensiformis. Therefore, IAA enhanced As uptake and frond POD activity in P. cretica var. nervosa under As stress.     

A simple and sensitive resonance Rayleigh scattering method for determination of As(III) using aptamer‐modified nanogold as a probe

A simple and selective aptamer (ssDNA)‐modified nanogold probe (AussDNA) was prepared for the determination of trace As(III) in HEPES buffer solution (pH 8.2) containing 0.05 mol/L NaCl. The method coupled the aptamer reaction of AussDNA–As(III) and the resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) of nanogold aggregations at 278 nm. When the As(III) concentration increased, the RRS intensity at 278 nm increased to form more nanogold aggregation and a stable As(III)–ssDNA complex. Under selected conditions, the increased RRS intensity (ΔI) was linear to the concentration of As(III) in the range 3.8–230.4 ng/mL, with a detection limit of 1.9 ng/mL. This RRS method was applied to detect As(III) in water samples, with simplicity, sensitivity and selectivity. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Eimeria Spp.: Influence of coccidia on digestion (amylolytic activity) in broiler chickens

Loss in pancreatic weight and an overall decrease in amylolytic activity in the pancreas were seen in broiler chickens infected with Eimeria acervulina, E. maxima, and E. necatrix. Only E. acervulina and E. maxima reduced amylolytic activity in the surface mucosa of the regions they infected. Surface-bound amylolytic activity decreased as the severity of infection (as measured by lesion score) with E. acervulina increased. This decrease in activity was not related to the decreased feed consumption in infected birds. Little decrease in amylase activity was found in the lumenal contents with the exception of E. acervulina in the jejunum. When the effect of pH on enzyme activity was studied in vitro, a marked reduction in amylolytic activity was observed as the pH went below 5.0.