Decreased Plant Growth Research Articles

Physiological, biochemical, antioxidant and growth characterizations of gibberellin and paclobutrazol-treated sweet leaf (Stevia rebaudiana B.) herb

A greenhouse experiment was designed to study the responses of Stevia rebaudiana herb to paclobutrazol (PBZ) and gibberellin (GA) treatments. GA and PBZ treatments caused no significant impact on photosynthesis pigments while they increased carbohydrates, amino acids and protein metabolites. Stevia showed a potent antioxidant activity through scavenging DPPH, NO·; O 2 ·− and OH· radicals which was highlighted in GA and PBZ treatments. The enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant system of Stevia plant showed a significant increase in response to PBZ and GA treatments. PBZ treatment decreased plant growth while GA treatment had no significant effect on it. Collectively, both GA and PBZ treatments effectively increased metabolites and antioxidant property of Stevia herb.

Respiratory ATP cost and benefit of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis with Nicotiana tabacum at different growth stages and under salinity

Growth and maintenance partly depend on both respiration and ATP production during oxidative phosphorylation in leaves. Under stress, ATP is needed to maintain the accumulated biomass. ATP production mostly proceeds from the cytochrome oxidase pathway (COP), while respiration via the alternative oxidase pathway (AOP) may decrease the production of ATP per oxygen consumed, especially under phosphorus (P) limitation and salinity conditions. Symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi is reputed by their positive effect on plant growth under stress at mature stages of colonization; however, fungal colonization may decrease plant growth at early stages. Thus, the present research is based on the hypothesis that AM fungus colonization will increase both foliar respiration and ATP production at mature stages of plant growth while decreasing them both at early stages. We used the oxygen-isotope-fractionation technique to study the in vivo respiratory activities and ATP production of the COP and AOP in AM and non-AM (NM) tobacco plants grown under P-limiting and saline conditions in sand at different growth stages (14, 28 and 49days). Our results suggest that AM symbiosis represents an ATP cost detrimental for shoot growth at early stages, whilst it represents a benefit on ATP allowing for faster rates of growth at mature stages, even under salinity conditions.

Effects of silicon on aluminum toxicity in upland rice plants

This study aimed to determine the capacity of Si to mitigate Al toxicity in upland rice plants (Oryza sativa L.) by evaluating plant growth and the Si and Al uptake kinetics. Plants were grown for 40 days, after which the Si and Al uptake kinetics (Cmin, Km and Imax) were analyzed. Then, the shoots and roots were separated, and the dry matter, root morphology and Si and Al concentration and accumulation in the plant were evaluated. Aluminum decreased plant growth and the Si uptake capacity by decreasing the root growth and Si transport system efficiency in the upland rice roots (> Km and > Cmin). Silicon mitigated Al toxicity in the upland rice plants by decreasing Al transport to the plant shoots, although it did not reduce the Al uptake rate (Imax). Si treatment increased the growth of upland rice plant shoots grown in the presence of Al without influencing the root growth. The alleviation of Al toxicity by Si is more evident in the susceptible upland rice cultivar Maravilha. Silicon mitigated Al toxicity in the upland rice plants by decreasing Al transport to the plant shoots but did not reduce the Al uptake rate by roots.

The bean rhizosphere Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain RZ9 strongly reduces Fusarium culmorum growth and infectiveness of plant roots

A faba bean rhizospheric Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolate RZ9 was used for studying its antifungal activity and protecting effects of faba bean and common bean against the root pathogen Fusarium culmorum strain MZB47. The dual culture tests showed that RZ9 inhibits MZB47 in vitro growth by 56%. When mixing RZ9 cell suspension with MZB47 macroconidia at equal proportion, the macroconidia viability was reduced with 70%. Pathogenicity tests conducted in sterile conditions showed that MZB47 caused an intense root rotting in faba bean ‘Aquadulce’ plantlets and a slight level in common bean ‘Coco blanc’. This was associated to significant decreases in plant growth only in ‘Aquadulce’, reducing shoot dry weight (DW) by 82% and root DW by 70%. In soil samples, MZB47 caused severe root rotting and induced significant decreases in shoot DW (up to 51%) and root DW (up to 60%) for both beans. It was associated to a decrease in nodule number by 73% and 52% for faba bean and common bean, respectively. Biocontrol assays revealed that the inoculation of RZ9 to MZB47-treated plantlets enhanced shoot DWs (25% and 110%) and root DWs (29% and 67%), in faba bean and common bean, respectively. Moreover, root rotting levels decreased and nodule number increased in treated compared to untreated plantlets. Collected data highlighted the disease severity of F. culmorum and demonstrated the potential of using RZ9 in controlling Fusaria root diseases in beans. Thereby, the current study represents the first report on the biocontrol effectiveness of P. aeruginosa against F. culmorum in beans.

Legacy effects of drought on plant-soil feedbacks and plant-plant interactions.

Interactions between aboveground and belowground biota have the potential to modify ecosystem responses to climate change, yet little is known about how drought influences plant-soil feedbacks with respect to microbial mediation of plant community dynamics. We tested the hypothesis that drought modifies plant-soil feedback with consequences for plant competition. We measured net pairwise plant-soil feedbacks for two grassland plant species grown in monoculture and competition in soils that had or had not been subjected to a previous drought; these were then exposed to a subsequent drought. To investigate the mechanisms involved, we assessed treatment responses of soil microbial communities and nutrient availability. We found that previous drought had a legacy effect on bacterial and fungal community composition that decreased plant growth in conspecific soils and had knock-on effects for plant competitive interactions. Moreover, plant and microbial responses to subsequent drought were dependent on a legacy effect of the previous drought on plant-soil interactions. We show that drought has lasting effects on belowground communities with consequences for plant-soil feedbacks and plant-plant interactions. This suggests that drought, which is predicted to increase in frequency with climate change, may change soil functioning and plant community composition via the modification of plant-soil feedbacks.

Root Anatomy and Growth of Capsicum frutescens L. on Verticulture with Different Watering Supply

The rapid increase in human population reduces land productivity in urban areas. Verticulture is a way of planting in a vertical arrangement, such as for Capsicum frutescens L. This study aimed to examine the root anatomy and growth responses of C. frutescens L. Fourteen days old seedlings were grown in polybags on the ground and into vertical pots made of paralon pipe. Watering was given for every day, once in 3 days, and once in 6 days were apllied for 35 days, at elevation of 0 cm, 25 cm, 50 cm and 75 cm. The lower watering supply decreased the root diameter due to the thinner of cortical, xylem and stele tissues. Decreased in plant height, leaf number, length-width of leaves, and fresh and dry weight of root-shoots were also observed in low watering plants, but there were increases in roots length and leaves chlorophyll content. The xylem was less developed in plants at higher position compared to the lower positon and this was more detected in plants with less watering. Decreasing plant growth occurs in conditions of water shortage and the higher plant layout on paralon, while root vascullar tissue was less developed in less watering and higher position plants. Keywords: anatomy, biomass, roots, verticulture, watering

Tolerance and translocation of heavy metals in young grapevine (Vitis vinifera) grown in sandy acidic soil with interaction of high doses of copper and zinc

Vineyard soils may have high levels of copper due to frequent applications of Bordeaux mixture for the control of fungal diseases. Therefore, many winegrowers have used zinc-based fungicides instead of copper-based fungicides, resulting in high levels of Cu and Zn in vineyard soils. The aim of the study was to evaluate the tolerance of young grapevines grown in soil with interaction of high contents of Cu and Zn, and the translocation of these heavy metals from roots to shoots. We collected soil of a natural field of Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost state of Brazil. Soil treatments were addition of 0, 30, and 60mg Cu kg−1, and addition of 0, 15, 30, 60, 120, and 180mg Zn kg−1 for each copper dose. A seedling of grapevine per pot was grown for 60days. After that, we measured root and shoot dry matter, Cu and Zn content in roots and shoots, chlorophyll a fluorescence, photosynthetic pigments, and peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity. Young grapevines showed tolerance mechanisms to high concentrations of Cu and Zn by retaining these metals in the roots, decreasing translocation to the shoots. However, at the highest doses of Cu and Zn, we observed decrease in plant growth and in photochemical efficiency associated with the decrease in photosynthetic pigment content. Furthermore, the activity of antioxidant enzymes increased in intermediate doses of Zn, which indicates activation of the antioxidant system. However, the stress condition in treatments with high levels of Cu and Zn was not reversed.

Nonchemical, Cultural Management Strategies to Suppress Phytophthora Root Rot in Northern Highbush Blueberry

Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands causes root rot of northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.), which decreases plant growth, yield, and profitability for growers. Fungicides are available to suppress the disease, but are prone to development of resistance in target pathogens and cannot be used in certified organic production systems. Alternative, nonchemical, cultural management strategies were evaluated to reduce phytophthora root rot in a field infested with P. cinnamomi. The field was planted with ‘Draper’ blueberry, which is highly susceptible to the pathogen. The soil was either amended with gypsum or not before planting, and the plants were irrigated using narrow (adjacent to plant crown) or widely spaced (20 cm on either side of the plant crown) drip lines and mulched with douglas fir sawdust or black, woven geotextile fabric (weed mat). A fungicide control treatment was also included in the study and consisted of applying two conventional fungicides, mefenoxam and fosetyl-Al, to plants irrigated with narrow drip lines and mulched with sawdust. Initially, root infection by P. cinnamomi was lower with the combination of gypsum, wide drip lines, and sawdust mulch than with any other treatment, except the fungicide control. The soil under weed mat accumulated more heat units than under sawdust and resulted in faster hyphal growth by the pathogen. However, plant growth was similar in both mulch types. The effects of drip line placement and gypsum, on the other hand, were interactive, and plants grown with a combination of wide drip lines and gypsum produced the greatest amount of biomass among the cultural treatments. Narrow drip lines negated the disease-suppressive effects of gypsum by moving zoospore-inhibiting Ca2+ away from the plant root zone, and also resulted in wetter soil near the crown of the plants, which likely promoted zoospore discharge and root infection. However, wide drip lines resulted in N deficiency symptoms during the first year after planting and, therefore, resulted in less plant growth than the fungicide control. Thus, if N is managed properly, this study suggests that concerted use of gypsum and wide drip lines can help suppress phytophthora root rot in northern highbush blueberry and increase production in field soils where the pathogen is present.

Physiological Role of Exogenous Nitric Oxide in Improving Performance, Yield and Some Biochemical Aspects of Sunflower Plant Under Zinc Stress

The present study was undertaken to examine the possible roles of sodium nitroprusside in protection against oxidative damage due to zinc toxicity in sunflower plants. Physiochemical parameters in sunflower plants exposed to Zn2+ (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg soil) alone or combined with SNP were measured. The results showed that excess of Zn decreased plant growth, seed yield components and photosynthetic pigments content. On the other hand, Zn stress increased the level of non-enzymatic antioxidants (ascorbic acid and reduced glutathione) and enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, ascrobate peroxidase and glutathione reductase), coupled with the appearance of novel protein bands. Furthermore, Zn stress increased Zn content in roots and shoots. The amounts of Zn in roots were higher than shoots. A marked increase in total saturated fatty acids accompanied by a decrease in total unsaturated fatty acids was observed. Exogenously application of SNP (20 µM) increased growth parameters, photosynthetic pigments content, ascorbic acid and glutathione contents, antioxidant enzyme activities and the quality of the oil in favour of the increase of unsaturated fatty acids. Moreover, SNP application increased Zn concentration in roots and inhibited Zn accumulation in shoots. Therefore, it is concluded that SNP treatment can help reduce Zn toxicity in sunflower plants.

A Cyclin Dependent Kinase Regulatory Subunit (CKS) Gene of Pigeonpea Imparts Abiotic Stress Tolerance and Regulates Plant Growth and Development in Arabidopsis.

Frequent climatic changes in conjunction with other extreme environmental factors are known to affect growth, development and productivity of diverse crop plants. Pigeonpea, a major grain legume of the semiarid tropics, endowed with an excellent deep-root system, is known as one of the important drought tolerant crop plants. Cyclin dependent kinases (CDKs) are core cell cycle regulators and play important role in different aspects of plant growth and development. The cyclin-dependent kinase regulatory subunit gene (CKS) was isolated from the cDNA library of pigeonpea plants subjected to drought stress. Pigeonpea CKS (CcCKS) gene expression was detected in both the root and leaf tissues of pigeonpea and was upregulated by polyethylene glycol (PEG), mannitol, NaCl and abscisic acid (ABA) treatments. The overexpression of CcCKS gene in Arabidopsis significantly enhanced tolerance of transgenics to drought and salt stresses as evidenced by different physiological parameters. Under stress conditions, transgenics showed higher biomass, decreased rate of water loss, decreased MDA levels, higher free proline contents, and glutathione levels. Moreover, under stress conditions transgenics exhibited lower stomatal conductance, lower transpiration, and higher photosynthetic rates. However, under normal conditions, CcCKS-transgenics displayed decreased plant growth rate, increased cell size and decreased stomatal number compared to those of wild-type plants. Real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed that CcCKS could regulate the expression of both ABA-dependent and ABA-independent genes associated with abiotic stress tolerance as well as plant growth and development. As such, the CcCKS seems promising and might serve as a potential candidate gene for enhancing the abiotic stress tolerance of crop plants.

Changes in root hydraulic conductivity facilitate the overall hydraulic response of rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars to salt and osmotic stress

The aim of the present work was to assess the significance of changes in root AQP gene expression and hydraulic conductivity (Lp) in the regulation of water balance in two hydroponically-grown rice cultivars (Azucena, Bala) which differ in root morphology, stomatal regulation and aquaporin (AQP) isoform expression. Plants were exposed to NaCl (25 mM, 50 mM) and osmotic stress (5%, 10% PEG6000). Root Lp was determined for exuding root systems (osmotic forces driving water uptake; ‘exudation Lp’) and transpiring plants (hydrostatic forces dominating; ‘transpiration-Lp’). Gene expression was analysed by qPCR. Stress treatments caused a consistent and significant decrease in plant growth, transpirational water loss, stomatal conductance, shoot-to-root surface area ratio and root Lp. Comparison of exudation-with transpiration-Lp supported a significant contribution of AQP-facilitated water flow to root water uptake. Changes in root Lp in response to treatments were correlated much stronger with root morphological characteristics, such as the number of main and lateral roots, surface area ratio of root to shoot and plant transpiration rate than with AQP gene expression. Changes in root Lp, involving AQP function, form an integral part of the plant hydraulic response to stress and facilitate changes in the root-to-shoot surface area ratio, transpiration and stomatal conductance.

Seasonal impact of quarry mining effluent discharge impacted soils on growth parameters and phytochemical constituents of edible vegetables

This study was designed to assess the impact quarry mining effluent discharge impacted soil on growth parameters and phytochemical constituents of edible vegetables. Three quarry mining sites were used for the study that covered wet and dry seasons. Plant growth such as plant height, leaf area, internodes and plant collar diameter were measured while plant phytochemical composition was analysed using Gas chromatography flame ionization detector (GC-FID). Results indicated decrease in plant growth and plant chlorophyll content in dry season compared to wet season (P<0.05). This values were however significantly lower than the control. Phytochemical constituents of vegetables as observed from this study increased in dry season in response to trace metal stress. The results imply that mining activities impacted negatively on the growth of these edible vegetables. This is indicative of potential health risk that may be associated with prolonged consumption of edible vegetables grown in these soils. Hence farmers should be discouraged from planting edible plants around these quarry sites as this may have detrimental effect on health of consumers. Key Words : Quarry mining, Phytochemicals, Edible vegetables, Plant growth, Effluent discharge

Protective effect of chitosan on photosynthesis and antioxidative defense system in edible rape (Brassica rapa L.) in the presence of cadmium

Chitosan (CTS) induces plant tolerance against several abiotic stresses, including salinity and drought exposure. However, the role of CTS in cadmium (Cd)-induced stress amelioration is largely unknown. In the present study, a hydroponic pot experiment was conducted to study the roles of CTS with different molecular weight (Mw) (10kDa，5kDa and 1kDa) in alleviating Cd toxicity in edible rape (Brassica rapa L .). The results showed that Cd stress significantly decreased plant growth, leaf chlorophyll contents and increased the malondialdehyde (MDA) level in rape leaves. Foliar application of CTS promoted the plant growth and leaf chlorophyll contents, and decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) level in edible rape leaves under Cd stress. The alleviation effect of CTS on toxicity was depended on its Mw and CTS with Mw of 1kDa showed the best activity. Spraying 1kDa CTS onto the leaves of edible rape under Cd-toxicity could decrease shoot Cd2+ concentration and improve photosynthetic characteristics of edible rape. Moreover, 1kDa CTS also significantly enhanced non-enzymatic antioxidants (ascorbic acid) and enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase and guaiacol peroxidase) under Cd stress. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that application of exogenous CTS could be an effective approach to alleviate the harmful effects of Cd stress and could be explored in an agricultural production system.

Calcium improves apoplastic-cytosolic ion homeostasis in salt-stressed Vicia faba leaves.

Salinity disturbs both apoplastic and cytosolic Ca2+ and pH ([Ca2+]apo, [Ca2+]cyt, pHapo and pHcyt) homeostasis, and decreases plant growth. Seedlings of Vicia faba L. cv. Fuego were cultivated in hydroponics for 7 days under control, salinity (S), extra Ca (Ca) or salinity with extra Ca (S+Ca) conditions. The [Ca2+]apo, and pHapo in the leaves were then recorded in parallel by a pseudoratiometric method, described here for the first time. Lower [Ca2+]apo and higher pHapo were obtained under salinity, whereas extra Ca supply increased the [Ca2+]apo and acidified the pHapo. Moreover, the ratiometric imaging recorded that [Ca2+]cyt and pHcyt were highest in S+Ca plants and lowest in control plants. After all pretreatments, direct addition of NaC6H11O7 to leaves induced a decrease in [Ca2+]apo in control and S+Ca plants, but not in S and Ca plants, and only slightly affected pHapo. Addition of NaCl increased [Ca2+]cyt in protoplasts from all plants but only transiently in protoplasts from S+Ca plants. Addition of NaCl decreased pHcyt in protoplasts from Ca-pretreated plants. We conclude that Ca supply improves both apoplastic and cytosolic ion homeostasis. In addition, NaC6H11O7 probably causes transport of Ca from the apoplast into the cytosol, thereby leading to a higher resting [Ca2+]cyt.

Aeluropus littoralis maintains adequate gas exchange, pigment composition and phenolic contents under combined effects of salinity and phosphorus deficiency

Salinity and phosphorus (P) deficiency are important environmental factors that decrease plant growth and productivity throughout the world. These two stresses frequently coexist in calcareous salt-affected soils. To better understand how plants adapt to these combined stresses, we investigated the interactive effects of salinity and P availability on photosynthetic activity, leaf pigment, phenolic compounds content and antioxidant activity in Aeluropus littoralis (Gouan)Parl., a promising C4 monocotyledonous halophyte that usually grows in dry salty areas or marshes. Plants were grown hydroponically under low or sufficient P supply (5 or 180 µM KH2PO4 respectively), with or without 400 mM NaCl. When individually applied, salinity and P deficiency stresses significantly restricted shoot and root relative growth rate, with a more marked effect of the former stress. However, the effects of the two stresses combined were non-additive on plant growth. Our results showed that salinity and P deficiency stresses applied individually or combined have no significant effect on CO2 assimilation rate, instantaneous water-use efficiency (WUEi), and leaf malondialdehyde content. Chlorophyll, carotoneoids, anthocyanins and phenolics content increased significantly under both P shortage and salt stresses applied individually or combined. Furthermore, a strong correlation was found between both total antioxidant capacity and DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity and shoot phenolics and carotenoids contents. These results suggest that the ability of A. littoralis to cope with both P deficiency and high salt stresses is a result of several mechanisms mainly involved in the conservation of the integrity of the photosynthetic apparatus. Secondary metabolites – mainly phenolic compounds and carotenoids – play an important role in the protection of A. littoralis plants against oxidative damage under combined high salinity and P deficiency stresses.

Effect of aluminium toxicity on various rhizospheric soil parameters

Soil acidity is one of the major concerns in plant productivity in the world. Growth and yield of many crops are affected by soil acidity. The presence of various toxic elements such as Fe, Mn, soluble forms of Al alters the chemical properties of soil making it unsuitable for plant growth and productivity. One of the major constraints of acidic soil is aluminium toxicity. In the present study, soil was treated with 0mM, 10mM and 20mM AlCl3 respectively and maize seeds were inoculated in them. Rhizospheric soil was then estimated for parameters such as fluorescein di acetate (FDA) activity, alkaline phosphatase activity, nitrate reductase activity and glomalin activity. The results depicted that aluminium showed negative impact on all the estimated activities revealing that under aluminium stressed conditions various plant growth promoting activities of soil are diminished, which may be one of the possibilities of decreasing plant growth under aluminium stressed conditions.

Non-destructive Phenotyping of Lettuce Plants in Early Stages of Development with Optical Sensors.

Rapid development of plants is important for the production of ‘baby-leaf’ lettuce that is harvested when plants reach the four- to eight-leaf stage of growth. However, environmental factors, such as high or low temperature, or elevated concentrations of salt, inhibit lettuce growth. Therefore, non-destructive evaluations of plants can provide valuable information to breeders and growers. The objective of the present study was to test the feasibility of using non-destructive phenotyping with optical sensors for the evaluations of lettuce plants in early stages of development. We performed the series of experiments to determine if hyperspectral imaging and chlorophyll fluorescence imaging can determine phenotypic changes manifested on lettuce plants subjected to the extreme temperature and salinity stress treatments. Our results indicate that top view optical sensors alone can accurately determine plant size to approximately 7 g fresh weight. Hyperspectral imaging analysis was able to detect changes in the total chlorophyll (RCC) and anthocyanin (RAC) content, while chlorophyll fluorescence imaging revealed photoinhibition and reduction of plant growth caused by the extreme growing temperatures (3 and 39°C) and salinity (100 mM NaCl). Though no significant correlation was found between Fv/Fm and decrease in plant growth due to stress when comparisons were made across multiple accessions, our results indicate that lettuce plants have a high adaptability to both low (3°C) and high (39°C) temperatures, with no permanent damage to photosynthetic apparatus and fast recovery of plants after moving them to the optimal (21°C) temperature. We have also detected a strong relationship between visual rating of the green- and red-leaf color intensity and RCC and RAC, respectively. Differences in RAC among accessions suggest that the selection for intense red color may be easier to perform at somewhat lower than the optimal temperature. This study serves as a proof of concept that optical sensors can be successfully used as tools for breeders when evaluating young lettuce plants. Moreover, we were able to identify the locus for light green leaf color (qLG4), and position this locus on the molecular linkage map of lettuce, which shows that these techniques have sufficient resolution to be used in a genetic context in lettuce.

Thioredoxins Play a Crucial Role in Dynamic Acclimation of Photosynthesis in Fluctuating Light

Sunlight represents the energy source for photosynthesis and plant growth. When growing in the field, plant photosynthesis has to manage strong fluctuations in light intensities. Regulation based on the thioredoxin (Trx) system is believed to ensure light-responsive control of photosynthetic reactions in the chloroplast. However, direct evidence for a role of this system in regulating dynamic acclimation of photosynthesis in fluctuating conditions is largely lacking. In this report we show that the ferredoxin-dependent Trxs m1 and m2 as well as the NADPH-dependent NTRC are both indispensable for photosynthetic acclimation in fluctuating light intensities. Arabidopsis mutants with combined deficiency in Trxs m1 and m2 show wild-type growth and photosynthesis under constant light condition, while photosynthetic parameters are strongly modified in rapidly alternating high and low light. Two independent trxm1m2 mutants show lower photosynthetic efficiency in high light, but surprisingly significantly higher photosynthetic efficiency in low light. Our data suggest that a main target of Trx m1 and m2 is the NADP-malate dehydrogenase involved in export of excess reductive power from the chloroplast. The decreased photosynthetic efficiency in the high-light peaks may thus be explained by a reduced capacity of the trxm1m2 mutants in the rapid light activation of this enzyme. In the ntrc mutant, dynamic responses of non-photochemical quenching of excitation energy and plastoquinone reduction state both were strongly attenuated in fluctuating light intensities, leading to a massive decrease in PSII quantum efficiency and a specific decrease in plant growth under these conditions. This is likely due to the decreased ability of the ntrc mutant to control the stromal NADP(H) redox poise. Taken together, our results indicate that NTRC is indispensable in ensuring the full range of dynamic responses of photosynthesis to optimize photosynthesis and maintain growth in fluctuating light, while Trxs m1 and m2 are indispensable for full activation of photosynthesis in the high-light periods but negatively affect photosynthetic efficiency in the low-light periods of fluctuating light.

Stomatal Function Requires Pectin De-methyl-esterification of the Guard Cell Wall

SummaryStomatal opening and closure depends on changes in turgor pressure acting within guard cells to alter cell shape [1]. The extent of these shape changes is limited by the mechanical properties of the cells, which will be largely dependent on the structure of the cell walls. Although it has long been observed that guard cells are anisotropic due to differential thickening and the orientation of cellulose microfibrils [2], our understanding of the composition of the cell wall that allows them to undergo repeated swelling and deflation remains surprisingly poor. Here, we show that the walls of guard cells are rich in un-esterified pectins. We identify a pectin methylesterase gene, PME6, which is highly expressed in guard cells and required for stomatal function. pme6-1 mutant guard cells have walls enriched in methyl-esterified pectin and show a decreased dynamic range in response to triggers of stomatal opening/closure, including elevated osmoticum, suggesting that abrogation of stomatal function reflects a mechanical change in the guard cell wall. Altered stomatal function leads to increased conductance and evaporative cooling, as well as decreased plant growth. The growth defect of the pme6-1 mutant is rescued by maintaining the plants in elevated CO2, substantiating gas exchange analyses, indicating that the mutant stomata can bestow an improved assimilation rate. Restoration of PME6 rescues guard cell wall pectin methyl-esterification status, stomatal function, and plant growth. Our results establish a link between gene expression in guard cells and their cell wall properties, with a corresponding effect on stomatal function and plant physiology.

EDTA and hydrochloric acid effects on mercury accumulation by Lupinus albus.

The efficiency of white lupine (Lupinus albus) to uptake and accumulate mercury from a soil polluted by mining activities was assessed in a pot experiment with chemically assisted phytoextraction. The mobilizing agents tested were ethylenediaminetetracetic acid (EDTA) and hydrochloric acid (HCl). Two doses of each amendment were used (0.5 and 1.0g of amendment per kg of soil), and unamended pots were used as a control. Addition of HCl to the soil did not negatively affect plant biomass, while the use of EDTA led to a significant decrease in plant growth when compared to that found for non-treated pots, with plants visually showing symptoms of toxicity. The addition of hydrochloric acid increased root, shoot and total plant Hg uptake of white lupine by 3.7 times, 3.1 times and 3.5 times, respectively, in relation to non-amended plants. The greatest efficiency was obtained for the highest HCl dose. EDTA led to higher concentrations of total plant Hg than that found with the control, but, due to the aforementioned decrease in plant biomass, the Hg phytoextraction yield was not significantly increased. These results were attributed to the capability of both amendments to form stable Hg complexes. The concentration of Hg in the water of the soil pores after the phytoextraction experiment was very low for all treatments, showing that risks derived from metal leaching could be partially avoided by using doses and chemicals suitable to the concentration of metal in the soil and plant performance.