Quantitative trait loci analysis of phytate and phosphate concentrations in seeds and leaves of Brassica rapa

Phytate, being the major storage form of phosphorus in plants, is considered to be an anti-nutritional substance for human, because of its ability to complex essential micronutrients. In the present study, we describe the genetic analysis of phytate and phosphate concentrations in Brassica rapa using five segregating populations, involving eight parental accessions representing different cultivar groups. A total of 25 quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting phytate and phosphate concentrations in seeds and leaves were detected, most of them located in linkage groups R01, R03, R06 and R07. Two QTL affecting seed phytate (SPHY), two QTL affecting seed phosphate (SPHO), one QTL affecting leaf phosphate and one major QTL affecting leaf phytate (LPHY) were detected in at least two populations. Co-localization of QTL suggested single or linked loci to be involved in the accumulation of phytate or phosphate in seeds or leaves. Some co-localizing QTL for SPHY and SPHO had parental alleles with effects in the same direction suggesting that they control the total phosphorus concentration. For other QTL, the allelic effect was opposite for phosphate and phytate, suggesting that these QTL are specific for the phytate pathway.     

Hyperaccumulation of metals by Thlaspi caerulescens as affected by root development and Cd-Zn/Ca-Mg interactions

The aim of this work was to study, in a rhizobox experiment, the phytoextraction of metals by the hyperaccumulator plant Thlaspi caerulescens in relation to the heterogeneity of metal pollution. Six treatments were designed with soils containing various levels of metals. Homogeneous soils and inclusions of soils in other soil matrices were prepared in order to vary metal concentration and localization. Growth parameters of the plant (rosette diameter and shoot biomass) and localization of roots and shoot uptake of Zn, Cd, Ca, and Mg were determined after 10 weeks of growth. The plants grown on the polluted industrial soils provided a larger biomass and had lower mortality rates than those grown on the agricultural soil. Moreover, these plants accumulated more Zn and Cd (up to 17,516 and 375 mg kg(-1) DM, respectively) than plants grown on the agricultural soil (up to 7300 mg Zn kg(-1) and 83 mg Cd kg(-1) DM). The roots preferentially explored metal-contaminated areas. The exploration of polluted soil inclusions by the roots was associated with a higher extraction of metals. Zinc and Cd in the shoots of Thlaspi caerulescens were negatively correlated with Ca and Mg concentrations; however, the soil supply for these two elements was identical. This suggests that there is competition for the uptake of these elements and that Zn is preferentially accumulated.     

Erythroneura lawsoni abundance and feeding injury levels are influenced by foliar nutrient status in intensively managed American sycamore

• 1 Abundance and feeding injury of the leafhopper Erythroneura lawsoni Robinson was measured in an intensively‐managed American sycamore Platanus occidentalis L. plantation. Trees were planted in spring 2000 in a randomized complete block design, and received one of three annual treatments: (i) fertilization (120 kg N/ha/year); (ii) irrigation (3.0 cm/week); (iii) fertilization + irrigation; or (iv) control (no treatment).
• 2 Foliar nutrient concentrations were significantly influenced by the treatments because only sulphur and manganese levels were not statistically greater in trees receiving fertilization.
• 3 Over 116 000 E. lawsoni were captured on sticky traps during the study. Leafhopper abundance was highest on nonfertilized trees for the majority of the season, and was positively correlated with foliar nutrient concentrations. Significant temporal variation in E. lawsoni abundance occurred, suggesting five discrete generations in South Carolina.
• 4 Significant temporal variation occurred in E. lawsoni foliar injury levels, with the highest injury ratings occurring in late June and August. Foliar injury was negatively correlated with foliar nutrient content, and higher levels of injury occurred more frequently on nonfertilized trees.
• 5 The results obtained in the present study indicated that increased E. lawsoni abundance occurred on trees that did not receive fertilization. Nonfertilized trees experienced greater foliar injury, suggesting that lower foliar nutrient status may have led to increased levels of compensatory feeding.

     

黄土高原旱地长期种植作物对土壤微量元素形态和有效性的影响

在长期定位试验的基础上,用连续浸提方法对土壤微量元素进行形态分级,研究了长期种植作物条件下黄土高原旱地土壤中微量元素的形态组成及其在不同土壤组分间的分配特征,探讨了种植系统对土壤微量元素有效性的影响。土壤中有效态微量元素含量的剖面分布除与土壤中微量元素的全量有关外,还与不同的种植系统有关。各种植系统有效锌和有效铜含量均低于休闲土壤,有效锌以小麦连作和苜蓿连作降低最多,有效铜以小麦连作和粮豆轮作降低最多。小麦连作系统40 cm以上土层土壤有效锰含量和休闲土壤接近,40~100cm土层低于休闲土壤,苜蓿连作和粮豆轮作整个剖面土壤有效锰含量均有所增加。各种植系统40cm以上土层土壤有效铁含量均高于休闲土壤,40~100cm土层土壤有效铁分布趋势相同,其含量均随土层深度的增加而增加,并且小麦连作低于休闲土壤,粮豆轮作高于休闲土壤,苜蓿连作与休闲相近,这些结果表明长期种植作物可以显著改善土壤锰素营养和铁素营养状况。苜蓿连作和小麦连作使锌和铁从矿物态向有机结合态转化,增加了土壤有效锌和有效铁的储备,粮豆轮作系统各形态锌低于休闲土壤,并且土壤中锌的总贮量有所减少;各种植系统土壤氧化物结合态铁在耕层增加,在古耕层降低,这也表明种植作物可以活化深层土壤难溶态铁。长期种植作物使耕层土壤各形态铜含量降低,粮豆轮作和小麦连作系统古耕层土壤各形态铜含量较休闲土壤有所增加。3种种植系统碳酸盐结合态、氧化物结合态和有机结合态锰含量均有不同程度的下降,且耕层土壤交换态、碳酸盐结合态和有机结合态锰高于古耕层,氧化物结合态和矿物态锰含量低于古耕层。     

The impact of mineral nutrients in food crops on global human health

Nutrient sufficiency is the basis of good health, productive lives and longevity for everyone. Nutrient availability to people is primarily determined by the output of foods produced from agricultural systems. If agricultural systems fail to provide enough food diversity and quantity to satisfy all the nutrients essential to human life, people will suffer, societies will deteriorate and national development efforts will stagnate. Importantly, plant foods provide most of the nutrients that feed the developing world. Unfortunately, as a result of population pressures, many global food systems are not currently providing enough micronutrients to assure adequate micronutrient intakes for all people. This has resulted in an increasing prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies (e.g., iron deficiency, vitamin A deficiency, and iodine deficiency disorders) that now afflicts over three billion people globally mostly among resource-poor women, infants and children in developing countries. The consequences of micronutrient malnutrition are profound and alarming for human existence. Agricultural approaches to finding sustainable solutions to this problem are urgently needed. This review presents some ways in which plant nutritionists can contribute to preventing micronutrient malnutrition in sustainable ways.     

Effects of storage on the sequential extraction of micronutrients and trace elements in fruit and vegetable residue flour

Abstract

Sequential extraction consists of the use of a number of extractors with different chemical properties that are progressively applied to a sample. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of sequential extraction of Cu, Fe, Mn, Mg and Zn from fruit and vegetable residue flour during storage for up to 60 days. The following extractors were applied: 1M calcium chloride, 0.1M acetic acid/5% ammonium acetate (pH 5.0), 0.5M acetic acid and 0.5M hydrochloric acid; the storage times were 0, 30 and 60 days. Storage for up to 60 days did not affect the total content of the metals. However, changes were observed in the chemical structure of the sample, which influenced the profile extraction of the metals. At least five distinct chemical species of each metal were analysed, which could influence the bioavailability and metabolic processes inherent in the sample itself.     

The uptake of trace elements by spinach and bean varieties of different root parameters

The uptake by plants of trace elements from the soil depends to a large extent on root characteristics and activities. Differences between plant species and varieties in the uptake of trace elements are well known. Less understood, however, are the mechanisms governing these differences and the relative significance of various root parameters.Spinach and bean varieties were, therefore, compared with respect to their root lengths and number of root apices, and to the uptake of Mn, Fe and Zn from soil-sand mixtures. The results showed significant differences among the varieties tested, both in root characteristics and in the uptake of trace elements. However, no relationships were evident between the trace element uptake by spinach varieties and their root characteristics. Contrary to this the Fe-uptake by bean varieies exhibited a clear dependence on the total number of root apices. The uptake of Mn and Zn showed a similar relationship with some exceptions. Whether the apical regions of individual roots are the most active sites of uptake or rather affect the solubility of trace elements will be the subject of further investigations.     

Effect of organic fertilisers on the greening quality, shoot and root growth, and shoot nutrient and alkaloid contents of turf-type endophytic tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea

Increasing concern about the potential negative environmental impact of chemical fertilisers used in urban landscapes has provided impetus to develop organic fertilisers. However, little is known about the effect of organic fertilisers on turfgrass quality, growth and stress resistance. This study compared the effect of 11 organic fertilisers, applied at manufacturer's recommended rates, on greening quality, shoot and root growth, and shoot nutrient (an indication of nutrient uptake) and alkaloid content (an indication of insect resistance) in endophytic (infected with the fungus Neotyphodium coenophialum) tall fescue in the greenhouse. We measured turfgrass greening quality on a 1–9 scale weekly (9 being the highest), shoot and root growth monthly, and shoot contents of macro- and micronutrients and of various alkaloids at the end of 4 months. The results show that Corn Gluten and Cockadoodle Doo produce the highest turfgrass greening quality and shoot growth. Nature's Touch with enzymes enhanced root growth, and thus resulted in high root:shoot ratio, especially in third and fourth months after application. Compared with the most commonly used chemical fertiliser, Scott's Turf Builder, the organic fertilisers Cockadoodle Doo, Corn Gluten and Nature's Touch with enzymes generally resulted in better turf greening quality. Although Cockadoodle Doo, Vigoro and Scott's Turf Builder resulted in higher macronutrient contents in turfgrass shoots, there was no significant correlation between the nutrient contents in the fertilisers and in the shoots four months after application. Significant differences were found for all measured alkaloids in turfgrass shoots among the 13 treatments, and these differences varied with fertiliser. Overall, organic fertilisers produced higher turfgrass greening quality, root and shoot growth and insect resistance capacity (alkaloid content) compared with the chemical fertiliser, Scott's Turf Builder. On the basis of the high to excellent turfgrass greening quality ratings, root:shoot ratio, shoot nutrient and alkaloid contents in this study, we conclude that Cockadoodle Doo, Vigoro and Nature's Touch with enzymes are relatively superior organic fertilisers.