Increase of seed germination,growth and membrane integrity of wheat seedlings by exposure to static and a 10-KHz electromagnetic field

There is a large body of experimental data demonstrating various effects of magnetic field (MF) on plants growth and development. Although the mechanism(s) of perception of MF by plants is not yet elucidated, there is a possibility that like other stimuli, MF exerts its effects on plants by changing membrane integrity and conductance of its water channels, thereby influencing growth characteristics. In this study, the seeds of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Kavir) were imbibed in water overnight and then treated with or without a 30-mT static magnetic field (SMF) and a 10-kHz electromagnetic field (EMF) for 4 days, each 5 h. Water uptake of seeds reduced 5 h of the treatment with EMF but did not show changes in SMF treatment. Exposure to both magnetic fields did not affect germination percent of the seeds but increased the speed of germination, compared to the control group. Treatment with EMF significantly reduced seedling length and subsequently vigor index I, while SMF had no effects on these parameters. Both treatments significantly increased vigor index II, compared to the control group. These treatments also remarkably increased catalase activity and proline contents of seedlings but reduced the activity of peroxidase, the rate of lipid peroxidation and electrolyte leakages of membranes. The results suggest promotional effects of EMFs on membrane integrity and growth characteristics of wheat seedlings.     

旋转磁场对小麦种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响

以“淮麦19”小麦种子为研究对象,采用磁场强度为11 mT的旋转磁场进行处理,设定不同的时间梯度(10、20、30、60 min),以未经磁场处理的为对照,研究了不同处理时间下旋转磁场对小麦种子发芽指标及幼苗生理特性的影响。结果表明：旋转磁场处理对小麦种子萌发具有促进作用,不同处理时间下,种子的发芽势、发芽率、发芽指数均有显著提高,随着时间的增加呈现先上升后下降的趋势,以处理30 min为最高,分别比对照提高了8.24％、7.37％、11.24％。经旋转磁场处理后,小麦根系发达,根长、根数均显著高于对照;幼苗生长加快,株高除处理60 min外,其他处理均显著高于对照,以处理30 min为最大,高出对照11.13％;叶片数除处理10 min外,其他处理均高于对照,以处理30 min为最大,比对照高出38.89％,且差异显著。旋转磁场处理显著增加了小麦幼苗的物质积累,不同处理时间表现出不同的效果,对幼苗生物积累量影响最佳的是处理20 min。这说明旋转磁场处理提高了小麦种子的萌发能力,加快了小麦幼苗的生长速度。     

低频电磁场与绿豆种子萌发

探讨低频电磁场的非热效应对绿豆种子萌发及其生长的影响,以及不同强度电磁场对种子萌发和生长的生物学效应。将绿豆种子置于低频电磁场(50Hz 2mT、4mT、6mT、8mT)下萌发、生长,对不同强度下种子萌发和生长情况进行观察分析表明：不同的电磁场强度对绿豆生物学效应是不同的;不同的电磁场强度对绿豆萌发以及随后的生长阶段的影响也是不同的。     

Effects of weak 16 3/2 Hz magnetic fields on growth parameters of young sunflower and wheat seedlings

Previous studies on effects of magnetic fields on plants focussed on the power frequencies (50-60 Hz), but in Austria and Germany electric railways are powered by a frequency of 16 2/3) Hz. In the present study, sunflower and wheat seedlings were exposed to 16 2/3 Hz sinusoidal 20 muT (rms) vertical magnetic fields. Seeds were germinated in a germination roll and grown for 12 days under continued exposure. Seven series with sunflower and six series with wheat were done over 2 years. Sunflower seedlings exposed to experimental magnetic field showed small, but significant increases in total fresh weights, shoot fresh weights, and root fresh weights, whereas dry weights and germination rates remained unaffected. Experimentally treated wheat exhibited marginally (but significantly) higher root fresh and dry weights, total fresh weights, and higher germination rates.     

逆境条件下小麦种子活力与种子萌发相关酶活性及其基因表达的关系

分析不同基因型小麦品种逆境萌发过程中种子萌发相关酶活性及基因表达差异,明确在逆境条件下,种子活力与种子萌发相关酶活性及基因表达量的关系.通过标准发芽试验和逆境(冷浸、人工老化、干旱胁迫)发芽试验,测定4个小麦品种种子活力、萌发过程中可溶性总糖和可溶性蛋白含量、α-淀粉酶活性、半胱氨酸蛋白酶活性及相关基因表达量.结果表明:干旱、人工老化和冷浸胁迫3种逆境对种子活力都有一定影响.不同萌发条件下,可溶性总糖含量呈现先小幅度升高后小幅度降低再迅速升高的趋势;而可溶性蛋白含量随着萌发时间的延长呈现逐渐下降的趋势.α-淀粉酶活性整体呈现逐渐升高的趋势,但在冷浸胁迫处理后,豫农949和轮选061的α-淀粉酶活性在萌发60 h后出现下降.半胱氨酸蛋白酶活性整体呈先降低后升高的趋势,但在干旱胁迫条件下,豫农949、豫麦49-198和轮选061的半胱氨酸蛋白酶活性呈现先升高后降低再升高的趋势.不同逆境萌发条件下,α-AMY(α-淀粉酶基因)表达量整体呈先上升后下降的趋势.冷浸胁迫处理后,轮选061的α-AMY表达量高于对照,在其他逆境萌发条件下,4个品种的α-AMY表达量均低于对照;人工老化处理后,长4738的CP(半胱氨酸蛋白酶基因)表达量与对照差异不显著,在其他逆境萌发条件下,4个品种的CP表达量均高于对照.种子萌发期间,不同萌发条件下α-淀粉酶和半胱氨酸蛋白酶活性与其基因表达并没有直接关系,α-淀粉酶活性与可溶性总糖含量达到显著正相关,半胱氨酸蛋白酶活性与可溶性蛋白含量的相关性不显著.在标准发芽条件下,α-淀粉酶活性与活力指数呈显著正相关,而在逆境萌发过程中,其相关性不显著.冷浸胁迫处理后,半胱氨酸蛋白酶活性与活力指数呈显著正相关,但在标准发芽、干旱胁迫、人工老化处理后,其相关性不显著.     

Stomata response to changes in temperature and humidity in wheat cultivars grown under contrasting climatic conditions

Stomatal response to changes in temperature and humidity was studied in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cv. Iren’ cultivated under conditions of high water supply and cv. Kazakhstanskaya 10, which is relatively drought tolerant. Experiments were performed under both laboratory and field conditions. It was demonstrated that stomata of cv. Kazakhstanskaya 10 plants closed rapidly with reducing humidity (the response of the first type), whereas, in cv. Iren’, this response was less expressed and, under conditions of a high water content in soil, stomatal conductance could increase in response to reduced humidity (the response of the second type). At an increased stomatal conductance and transpiration, water content in cv. Iren’ plants was maintained due to the increase in hydraulic conductance and water inflow from the roots. A possible role of the first-type response (rapid stomata closure) for growth maintenance under drought and of the second-type response (a parallel increase in the stomatal and hydraulic conductance) for providing of rapid growth and high productivity under sufficient water supply is discussed. A possibility to use the type of stomata behavior for cultivar assessment is considered.     

渗透胁迫下内生真菌感染对黑麦草幼苗生长的影响

以含有内生真菌的黑麦草(Lolium perenne L．)种子为材料,采用4C冰箱内和20℃光照培养箱内保存18个月的方式分别构建内生真菌感染(EI)和内生真菌非感染(EF)的黑麦草种群,通过比较EI和EF种群在正常条件下(对照)和渗透胁迫条件下种子发芽、幼苗生长等方面的差异,探讨内生真菌对其宿主植物的直接和间接影响。结果表明：在对照和胁迫条件下,E1种子的发芽势均明显高于EF种子,而只在重度渗透胁迫下,E1种子的发芽率才显著高于EF种子。对于黑麦草幼苗而言,渗透胁迫下内生真菌对宿主植物的地上部分和地下部分均有增益作用,最终表现为E1种群的总生物量显著高于EF种群,其中对地上部分的促进作用表现为内生真菌的存在不仅提高了宿主叶片的延伸速率、使EI叶片比EF叶片更长、叶面积更大,而且在重度胁迫下,E1种群的分蘖数也显著高于EF种群;对地下部分的促进作用表现为EI种群的根系总长度和根干重均高于EF种群。     

Changes in free amino acids and osmotic adjustment in leaves of water-stressed bean

Bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Topcrop) plants were raised in a growth chamber in small pots or flower boxes and kept at full water regime until the full development of primary leaves (14–16 days). Both potted and flower box-grown plants were subjected to a gradually increased water stress of about 60–70 kPa day⁻¹ leaf water potential (stressed plants) or full water regime (control). The water potential, osmotic potential and turgor pressure in freshly detached primary leaves and osmotic potential at zero turgor were calculated using pressure/volume curves. Changes in free amino acids and amides were also measured in parallel trials. Water relation parameters documented that in the stressed leaves there was moderate osmotic adjustment, which was more evident in the potted plants. If considered 0% ionised, the accumulation of free amino acids and amides (μmol g⁻¹ H₂O) accounts for a van't Hoff's value of about 10.2 kPa in the small pot-grown and 5.5 kPa in the box-grown plants. The values are twice as high if considered 100% ionised. Proline accumulation accounted for about 6.4% of the pool enlargement in the potted plants and 22.3% in the flower box plants.     

Silicon and copper interaction in the growth of spring wheat seedlings

Shoot and root fresh and dry matters and their Cu content were determined in 7-d-old seedlings of Triticum aestivum L. cv. Alkora treated with Cu (10,20, 40 μg cm-3) and Si (500 μg cm-3). Si significantly reduced the toxic effect of Cu on fresh and dry matter production of wheat seedlings. Moreover, plants treated with Cu and Si absorbed less Cu from the solution and had higher water content in shoots and roots than that treated with Cu only. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

基于小麦种子发芽逆境抗逆指数的种子活力评价

以16个小麦品种的种子为材料,通过标准发芽、逆境发芽和田间出苗试验,测定不同基因型小麦品种的种子活力,以不同发芽条件下种子活力指数的抗逆指数和田间出苗率作为衡量抗逆性的指标,利用主成分分析、聚类分析对种子活力进行综合评价.结果表明: 干旱胁迫、人工老化和冷浸胁迫3种逆境对种子活力都有一定的影响.人工老化抗逆指数和冷浸胁迫抗逆指数与田间出苗率呈显著正相关,干旱胁迫抗逆指数与田间出苗率的相关性不显著.通过主成分分析和聚类分析将16个小麦品种划分为3类、豫农949、豫麦49-198、鲁原502、郑育麦9987、石麦21、山农23号、石新828为高活力品种;许农5号、豫农982、唐麦8号、济麦20、济麦22、济南17号、山农20为中活力品种;长4738和轮选061属低活力品种.     

Changes in low-molecular-weight thiol-disulphide redox couples are part of bread wheat seed germination and early seedling growth

The tripeptide antioxidant glutathione (γ-l-glutamyl-l-cysteinyl-glycine; GSH) essentially contributes to thiol-disulphide conversions, which are involved in the control of seed development, germination, and seedling establishment. However, the relative contribution of GSH metabolism in different seed structures is not fully understood. We studied the GSH/glutathione disulphide (GSSG) redox couple and associated low-molecular-weight (LMW) thiols and disulphides related to GSH metabolism in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seeds, focussing on redox changes in the embryo and endosperm during germination. In dry seeds, GSH was the predominant LMW thiol and, 15?h after the onset of imbibition, embryos of non-germinated seeds contained 12 times more LMW thiols than the endosperm. In germinated seeds, the embryo contained 17 and 11 times more LMW thiols than the endosperm after 15 and 48?h, respectively. This resulted in the embryo having significantly more reducing half-cell reduction potentials of GSH/GSSG and cysteine (Cys)/cystine (CySS) redox couples (E_GSSG/2GSH and E_CySS/2Cys, respectively). Upon seed germination and early seedling growth, Cys and CySS concentrations significantly increased in both embryo and endosperm, progressively contributing to the cellular LMW thiol-disulphide redox environment (E_{thiol-disulphide}). The changes in E_CySS/2Cys could be related to the mobilisation of storage proteins in the endosperm during early seedling growth. We suggest that E_GSSG/2GSH and E_CySS/2Cys can be used as markers of the physiological and developmental stage of embryo and endosperm. We also present a model of interaction between LMW thiols and disulphides with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in redox regulation of bread wheat germination and early seedling growth.     

Differences in drought tolerance between cultivars of field bean and field pea. Morphological characteristics, germination and seedling growth

Different responses among legume species were observed, but the morphological and physiological differences that confer drought resistance or susceptibility are not well explained. The objective of this study was the determination of variation of morphological characteristics within 7 field bean and 4 field pea cultivars as related to drought tolerance. Also differences in the effect of drought on seed germination and seedling growth in 2 field bean and 2 field pea cultivars of different drought tolerances were investigated. The examined cultivars were characterized by variation of certain morphological characteristics regarded as xeromorphic features associated with the ability of plant to survive under drought. The drought resistant cultivars (field bean Gobo and field pea Solara) in comparison with the sensitive ones (field bean Victor and field pea Bareness) were characterized by more favourable relations between the size of the above—ground parts and the size of root, as well as the frequency and size of stomata. Moreover, in the resistant cultivars there was observed, a smaller influence of simulated drought (ψ=−0.6 MPa) on the increase of dry matter of the above-ground parts and of the roots. Also there was smaller influence on the height of seedlings and on the length of lateral roots. The correlation coefficients between the measured characteristics and the values of the drought susceptibility index (DSI) were in most cases statistically not significant, although, on the whole, they were very high. This may be an indication of a relatively high participation of the measured characteristics in the total variation of the drought tolerance in the cultivars. In cultivars regarded as belonging to the group of sensitive ones, a more disadvantageous effect of simulated drought (ψ=−0.6 MPa) on seed germination was observed, especially in the determination of the promptness index (PI).     

Investigating and modeling the combined effects of pH and osmotic pressure on seed germination for use in phytoactivity and allelopathic research

Phytoactivity and allelopathic studies are heavily dependent on germination bioassays of water solutions of allelochemical(s), which necessarily imply that pH and osmotic pressure vary among treatments and between treatments and controls and are therefore a confounding factor in the assessment of seed germination responses to allelochemical(s). When the contribution of pH and osmotic pressure to seed germination responses is considered in experimental designs their effects are almost without exceptions examined separately being assumed, without any evidences, that pH and osmotic pressure act independently on seed germination responses. The objectives of this work were to examine experimentally such assumption using wheat, lettuce, and subterranean clover cultivars to evaluate and model the combined effects on germination of pH and osmotic pressure in the range between 3.0–6.0 and 0–100 mOsmol kg^?1, respectively. Empirical equations are fitted, discussed, and the need to consider the simultaneous effects of pH and osmotic pressure firmly established. Finally, the use of the equations fitted and its impact on conclusions is exemplified in a dose-response bioassay of water extracts of Cistus ladanifer on seed germination using subterranean clover as target species where hormesis was found before allelochemical effects were corrected for pH and osmotic pressure values of control and extracts.     

Effect of salt and osmotic stresses on germination in durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.)

In order to determine the relative importance of ionic toxicity versus the osmotic component of salt stress on germination in durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.), seeds of three cultivars differing in their salt and drought resistance (Omrabi-5, drought-resistant; Belikh, salt-resistant and Cando, salt-sensitive) were incubated in various iso-osmotic solutions of NaCl, mannitol and polyethylene-glycol (PEG) (osmotic potential of –0.15 (control solution) –0.58, –1.05 or –1.57 MPa). Moderate stress intensities only delayed germination, whereas the highest concentration of NaCl and PEG reduced final germination percentages. PEG was the most detrimental solute, while mannitol had no effect on final germination percentages. All osmotica reduced endosperm starch and soluble sugars content as well as -amylase activities recorded after 48 h of treatment while -amylase activities were, in contrast, slightly stimulated in all cultivars. Deleterious effects of NaCl and PEG were higher on isolated embryos germinated onto an in vitro Linsmaier and Skoog (LS) medium comparatively to whole seeds. All PEG-treated embryos, however, recovered after the stress relief while NaCl-treated embryos exhibited a lower rate of recovery and some extent of abnormal germination after rinsing. It was concluded that stress inhibition of germination could not be attributed to an inhibition of mobilisation of reserves and that the main effect of PEG occurred via an inhibition of water uptake while detrimental effects of NaCl may be linked to long-term effects of accumulated toxic ions. The behaviour of the three cultivars during germination did not fully reflect their mean level of putative stress resistance in field conditions and germination is, therefore, not recommended as a reliable selection criterion for breeding purposes.     

Distribution of diamine oxidase activity and polyamine pattern in bean and soybean seedlings at different stages of germination

Diamine oxidase (DAO, EC 1.4.3.6.) activity and polyamine content were measured in the shoot apex, leaves, epicotyl, cotyledons, hypocotyl and roots of light-grown bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Lingot) and soybean ( Glycine max L. cv. Sakai) seedlings at 3 different stages of germination (5, 8 and 14 days) as well as in embryos and cotyledons from soaked seeds. No DAO activity was detected in embryos and cotyledons of either plants. In bean seedlings DAO activity was only detectable in the shoot apex, primary leaves and cotyledons, while in soybean the activity was only detectable in the hypocotyl and roots. During seedling growth, in both plants, a different pattern of DAO activity was observed. In both species spermidine and spermine were the most abundant polyamines in embryos and cotyledons. Cadaverine, absent in bean, was only detected in soybean embryos. In the seedlings of both plants, increasing gradients of putrescine, spermidine and spermine from base to shoot apex were found. A high concentration of cadaverine was present in soybean hypocotyls and roots. A possible correlation between DAO activity and the endogenous content of the preferential substrate is discussed in relation to the possible involvement of the enzyme in regulating the cellular level of polyamines.     

Effects of mucilage on seed germination of the desert ephemeral plant Plantago minuta Pall. under osmotic stress and cycles of wet and dry conditions

To test the role of the seed mucilage of Plantago minuta Pall. in regulating germination under osmotic stress and cycles of hydration and dehydration, two experiments were carried out using seeds with intact mucilage and mucilage‐free seeds. In Experiment 1 seeds were immersed in a range of iso‐osmotic polyethylene glycol solutions (?1.15 to 0 MPa) for 14 days; any ungerminated seeds were transferred to deionized water to investigate the recovery germination. In Experiment 2 seeds were immersed in deionized water for 24 h, and were then incubated on filter paper for an additional 13 days to ensure complete desiccation before reimbibition to test the germination recovery percentage. Under mild osmotic stress (?0.73 to 0 MPa), the intact seeds with mucilage were shown to have higher germination rates than the mucilage‐free seeds, indicating that the mucilage led to a “fast sprouting” germination strategy under mild osmotic stress. However, when seeds were exposed to high osmotic stress (?1.15 MPa), the mucilage apparently slowed the germination rate, resulting in a “risk‐balancing” germination strategy. Extreme drought induced by polyethylene glycol solution and the desiccation pretreatment accelerated germination rates compared to non‐pretreated seeds; both germination potential and recovery percentage of the mucilage seeds were significantly higher than that of the mucilage‐free seeds. Our results revealed that the seed mucilage of P. minuta plays a crucial role in regulating seed germination rates and the germination strategies adopted by controlling seed water absorption when the seeds experience different osmotic stresses or alternating wet and dry conditions.     

Germination of soybean seeds exposed to the static/alternating magnetic field and algal extract

In the present study, the effect of the static and alternating magnetic field applied individually and in combination with an algal extract on the germination of soybean seeds (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) and chlorophyll content was examined. The exposure time of seeds to the static magnetic field was 3, 6, and 12 min, whereas to the alternating magnetic field was 1, 2.5, and 5 min. The static magnetic field was obtained by means of a permanent magnets system while the alternating magnetic field by means of magnetic coils. Algal extract was produced from a freshwater macroalga—Cladophora glomerata using ultrasound homogenizer. In the germination tests, 10% extract was applied to the paper substrate before sowing. This is the first study that compares the germination of soybean seeds exposed to the static and alternating magnetic field. The best effect on the germination and chlorophyll content in seedlings had synergistic action of the static magnetic field on seeds for 3 min applied together with the extract and alternating magnetic field used for 2.5 min. It is not possible to clearly state which magnetic field better stimulated the germination of seeds, but the chlorophyll content in seedlings was much higher for alternating magnetic field.     

Enhancement of germination, growth, and photosynthesis in soybean by pre-treatment of seeds with magnetic field

Experiments were conducted to study the effect of static magnetic fields on the seeds of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr. var: JS-335) by exposing the seeds to different magnetic field strengths from 0 to 300 mT in steps of 50 mT for 30, 60, and 90 min. Treatment with magnetic fields improved germination-related parameters like water uptake, speed of germination, seedling length, fresh weight, dry weight and vigor indices of soybean seeds under laboratory conditions. Improvement over untreated control was 5-42% for speed of germination, 4-73% for seedling length, 9-53% for fresh weight, 5-16% for dry weight, and 3-88% and 4-27% for vigor indices I and II, respectively. Treatment of 200 mT (60 min) and 150 mT (60 min), which were more effective than others in increasing most of the seedling parameters, were further explored for their effect on plant growth, leaf photosynthetic efficiency, and leaf protein content under field conditions. Among different growth parameters, leaf area, and leaf fresh weight showed maximum enhancement (more than twofold) in 1-month-old plants. Polyphasic chlorophyll a fluorescence (OJIP) transients from magnetically treated plants gave a higher fluorescence yield at the J-I-P phase. The total soluble protein map (SDS-polyacrylamide gel) of leaves showed increased intensities of the bands corresponding to a larger subunit (53 KDa) and smaller subunit (14 KDa) of Rubisco in the treated plants. We report here the beneficial effect of pre-sowing magnetic treatment for improving germination parameters and biomass accumulation in soybean.