Root Mass Production Research Articles

Effects of contrasting soil fertility on root mass, root growth, root decomposition and soil carbon under a New Zealand perennial ryegrass/white clover pasture

The contribution of below ground plant root tissue to soil carbon (C) pools is attracting considerable interest in the context of greenhouse gas mitigation options. A field experiment was conducted on a perennial ryegrass/white clover pasture in the Manawatu, New Zealand, to examine the effect of differing soil nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertility status on root dynamics. Root standing mass, shoot and root dry matter (DM) accumulation and root tissue decomposition were measured at 6–8 week intervals over one year at moderate (Olsen P = 24, no added N) and high (Olsen P = 49, 400 kgN ha−1y−1 added N) soil fertility levels. Shoot production was significantly greater in the high fertility treatment (2550 cf. 1890 gDM m−2y−1) but differences in root dynamics were confined to two periods in spring and winter. In late spring the pattern was for lower root mass (183 cf. 231 gDM m−2 between 0–80 mm depth) and higher root production (0.71 cf. 0.52 gDM m−2 d−1 between 0–120 mm depth) under higher fertility. In winter the reverse was observed. There is some evidence that the soil type used in the root in-growth cores underestimated root production values for this site by a factor of approx. one third. Short-term differences between the two fertiity treatments in standing root mass and root production did not lead to treatment differences in topsoil C and N changes over four years. This may reflect insufficient separation in the two soil fertility treatments and a low overall root tissue input to soil organic matter.

Do harrowing and fertilisation at middle rotation improve tree growth and site quality in Eucalyptus globulus Labill. plantations in Mediterranean conditions?

Effects of harrowing and fertilisation on tree growth, understory vegetation, forest floor litter and soil properties were studied in a field experiment installed in a 5-year-old first rotation eucalypt plantation. The treatments were harrowing (H), fertilisation (F), harrowing and fertilisation (HF) and a control without any treatments (C), with four replicates. Tree growth, root mass, tree nutrition status, understory vegetation, mass of forest floor litter and soil physical and chemical properties were monitored till the end of the rotation (stand was 14-year old). Effects of treatments on tree growth, root mass and timber production were not significant. Root nutrient concentration differed between treatments only few months after the beginning of the experiment, while differences regarding specific root length and area were observed during the first year. Harrowing (H and HF) led to significantly smaller biomass of understory vegetation (<13.4 g m−2) than other treatments (33−61 g m−2) during the first 3 years, but at the end of the experiment differences were less important. Forest floor litter mass after 3 years and at the end of the experiment were similar among treatments. Soil bulk density significantly decreased by harrowing (H and HF treatments), but 16 months after treatments were similar. Although soil chemical properties were not significantly affected by treatments, a decrease in base cations occurred during the rotation period. Fertiliser application is a questionable practice under the economic point of view, whereas harrowing can reduce the fuel load only during a short period, without negative effects on productivity and soil quality.

In vitro assay of native Iranian almond species (Prunus L. spp.) for drought tolerance

Eight native Iranian almond species from three sections, ‘Euamygdalus’ (Prunus communis; Prunus eleagnifolia and Prunus orientalis); ‘Lycioides’ (Prunus lycioides and Prunus reuteri) and ‘Spartioides’ (Prunus arabica, Prunus glauca and Prunus scoparia) were in vitro screened for drought tolerance using sorbitol and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as an osmoticum. Different levels of water stress were induced using five concentrations of either sorbitol or polyethylene glycol in Woody Plant Medium (WPM). Water potential of various media ranged from −0.80 to −2.05 MPa and water stress in culture medium adversely affected plantlet growth. Wild species from ‘Spartioides’ were less affected than ‘Lycioides’ and ‘Euamygdalus’. At the same level of water potential, sorbitol had lower adverse effects than PEG; the latter being severe. Prunus × sorbitol and Prunus × PEG interactions were significant. At 0.2 M sorbitol and 0.003 M PEG, ‘Spartioides’ produced significantly more roots with higher total root length and root volume, as well as root-dry weight than those of ‘Lycioides’ and ‘Euamygdalus.’ It is concluded that in vitro screening of native Iranian almond species under specific and limited water-stress conditions may provide a system for effectively differentiating the wild species of almond for their expected root mass production under field conditions.

Water stress effects on growth of dipterocarpus turbinatus seedlings

Selecting the right species for the right location is a challenge for the forestry industry in Bangladesh, given the increasing risk of extreme weather and geophysical events posed by climate change. The occurrence of prolonged drought in northern Bangladesh has highlighted the need for drought‐resistant plant varieties in this region. The present study reports growth and yield performance of Dipterocarpus turbinatus (Garjan) seedlings grown under two different soil water supply regimes: watered control (WC) and unwatered (UW) for over a period of 40 days. Seedlings were grown following assignment to WC or UW groups by a completely randomized block design. Growth was in black polythene tubes containing a 3:1 compost mixture of nursery soil and cow dung. The experiment was conducted in the nursery of Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong. Growth and yield of D. turbinatus declined in the water‐limited condition along with the reduction of shoot water content. A strong relationship between soil moisture content and shoot water content was evident. Total plant mass production also declined in the absence of water due to the significant reduction in stem elongation and leaf expansion, which eventually influenced root, stem and leaf mass production. UW seedlings displayed marked recovery in stem elongation and leaf expansion with simultaneous influence in total mass and root mass, within a few days of re‐watering. The results indicate the potential of D. turbinatus as a drought‐resistant tree species.

황칠나무(Dendropanax morbifera)의 부정근 유도 및 기내증식조건

Dendropanax morbifera (Araliaceae) is an endemic species in Korea and distributed in the southern part of Korea. The roots and stems of this plant have been used for folk medicine for the treatment of migraine headache, dysmenorrheal, and remove wind dampness and for Vanishes production. Production of adventitious roots in D. morbifera by in vitro cultures could be used as alternatives materials. Leaf, stem, and root segments from D. morbifera seedling were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 3.0 mg/L IBA and 30 g/L sucrose. After 4 weeks of culture, the highest induction of adventitious roots was obtained from the leaf segment. Frequency of adventitious root formation on medium with various kinds of auxins (IAA, NAA, 2,4-D, and IBA) and various concentrations of IBA (0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0, and 5.0 mg/L) was tested. The maximum induction of adventitious root was obtained on medium with 1.0 mg/L IBA. In liquid culture, growth of root was best 1/2MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/L IBA and 30 g/L sucrose. Adventitious roots were cultured in 5 L bioreactor containing 1/2 MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/L IBA and 30 g/L sucrose and mass-production of adventitious roots was successfully achieved. This study demonstrated for the first time to produce adventitious roots in D. morbifera.

Contribution of Root and Microbial Respiration to Soil CO 2 Efflux and Their Environmental Controls in a Humid Temperate Grassland of Japan

Soil CO 2 efflux, root mass, and root production were investigated in a humid temperate grassland of Japan over a growing season (Apr. to Sep.) of 2005 to reveal seasonal changes of soil CO 2 efflux, to separate the respective contributions of root and microbial respiration to the total soil CO 2 efflux, and to determine the environmental factors that control soil respiration. Minimal microbial respiration rate was estimated based on the linear regression equations between soil CO 2 efflux and root mass at different experimental sites. Soil CO 2 efflux, ranging from 4.99 to 16.29 μmol CO 2 m −2 s −1, depended on the seasonal changes in soil temperature. The root mass at 0–10 cm soil depth was 0.82 and 1.27 kg m −2 in Apr. and Sep., respectively. The root mass at 0–10 cm soil depth comprised 60% of the total root mass at 0–50 cm soil depth. The root productivity at 0–30 cm depth varied from 8 to 180 g m −2 month −1. Microbial and root respiration rates ranged from 1.35 to 5.51 and 2.72 to 12.06 μmol CO 2 m −2 s −1, respectively. The contribution of root respiration to the total soil CO 2 efflux averaged 53%, ranging from 33% to 72%. The microbial respiration rate was exponentially related to soil temperature at 10 cm depth ( R 2 = 0.9400, P = 0.002, n = 6), and the root respiration rate was linearly related to the root production at 0–30 cm depth ( R 2 = 0.6561, P = 0.042, n = 6).

Effect of water stress mediated through agar on in vitro growth of potato

With the objective to develop a practical method of screening potato for drought tolerance, shoot and root growth in plantlets raised in vitro (from nodal cuttings drawn from in vivo as well as in vitro grown plantlets) were studied in three genotypes with known root mass production under field conditions. Different levels of water stress were induced using five concentrations of agar in MS (Murashige and Skoog in Physiol Plant 15:473–497, 1962) medium. Water potential of various media ranged from −0.70 MPa to −0.98 MPa. Water stress in culture adversely affected plantlet growth, and the responses varied with genotype and explant source. Genotype IWA-1 was less affected than Konafubuki and Norin-1. In the experiment with explants from in vivo grown plants, the time to rooting was considerably delayed in Konafubuki and Norin-1 by an increase in agar concentration, but no such effect was observed in IWA-1. In all media, the mean number of roots and root length was greater in IWA-1 than Konafubuki and Norin-1, and the latter two genotypes were at par. At 10 gl−1 agar, IWA-1 had taller plantlets, heavier foliage dry weight, root volume, as well as root dry weight than Konafubuki and Norin-1, whereas the latter two genotypes were at par for all these characteristics. This pattern was similar to the reported pattern of these genotypes for root dry weight under field conditions. However, such similarity in the in vitro and field behavior of the tested genotypes was not observed when nodal cuttings drawn from in vitro plantlets were used as explants. It is concluded that in vitro screening of potato under specific and limited water stress conditions by raising plantlets from nodal cuttings drawn from in vivo grown plants may provide a system for effectively differentiating the genotypes for their expected root mass production under field conditions.

ENRAIZAMENTO DE ESTACAS DE NANDINA EM DIFERENTES SUBSTRATOS

A Nandina domestica é uma planta ornamental exótica facilmente propagada por sementes. Futuramente sua propagação comercial se restringirá a métodos assexuados devido à criação de novas cultivares estéreis. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o enraizamento de estacas semilenhosas de nandina em diferentes substratos. As estacas semilenhosas coletadas de uma matriz no Município de São José dos Pinhais, Paraná, foram preparadas com 15 cm de comprimento, sem folhas, e mantidas em casa de vegetação com irrigação automática por nebulização. Os substratos avaliados foram a areia, solo, vermicomposto e vermiculita, com cinco repetições e 10 estacas por parcela. Após 98 dias foram avaliadas as porcentagens de estacas enraizadas, com calo, somente brotadas, mortas e a massa seca das raízes e das brotações emitidas. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados com quatro tratamentos e cinco repetições. Na areia houve enraizamento de 70% e produção de massa seca de 0,373 g de raízes e de 13,45 g de brotações por estaca. Não houve formação de calos nas estacas em nenhum dos substratos e na vermiculita houve elevada mortalidade de estacas (54%). A areia foi o substrato mais adequado para o enraizamento das estacas de nandina e produção de massa seca de raízes e brotações.

A comparison of methods for converting rhizotron root length measurements into estimates of root mass production per unit ground area

Rhizotrons provide valuable information about plant root production, but measurements are usually made in units of root length per unit surface area of observation window surface. These measurement units are not easily comparable to above-ground plant growth. To address this deficiency, several techniques have been developed to convert rhizotron measurement units into root mass production per unit ground area. In this study, four different conversion methods were applied to the same dataset of rhizotron measurements. This data was used to reveal the effect of conversion method upon estimates of the temporal variation in, and annual magnitude of, gross root mass production. Application of four different conversion methods resulted in gross root production estimates ranging between 2.1 and 11.4 t ha−1 year−1. Temporal variation in gross root mass production also varied between methods. All current methods for quantifying root production are likely to cause some disturbance and bias. Based upon a comparison of the sources of error present in each conversion method, we assess which methods are likely to produce the most reliable estimates of root biomass production per unit ground area, and propose additional measurements which could further improve accuracy.

Crescimento, partição de matéria seca e retenção de Na+, K+ e Cl- em dois genótipos de sorgo irrigados com águas salinas

Os mecanismos de tolerância à salinidade são complexos e dependem de mudanças fisiológicas e anatômicas que ocorrem na planta inteira. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a retenção de íons, o crescimento e a partição de matéria seca em dois genótipos de sorgo forrageiro [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] irrigados com água com crescentes níveis de salinidade. Sementes selecionadas foram germinadas em vasos com 12 kg de Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo textura arenosa em condições de casa de vegetação. O delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 2 x 5, composto por dois genótipos (CSF 18, sensível, e CSF 20, tolerante) e cinco concentrações de sais na água de irrigação, correspondentes às condutividades elétricas (CEa) de 0,5 (controle), 2,0, 4,0, 6,0 e 8,0 dS m-1, com quatro repetições. A aplicação dos tratamentos (concentrações de sais) teve início aos cinco dias após a emergência, e a coleta das plantas foi realizada aos 44 dias depois do início dos tratamentos. Foram determinadas a produção e a partição de matéria seca, bem como a distribuição das raízes nos vasos e os teores de íons (Na+, K+ e Cl-) nas diversas partes da planta. A salinidade reduziu a área foliar e a produção de matéria seca da parte aérea e das raízes; a redução no crescimento da parte aérea foi maior no genótipo CSF 18. A salinidade alterou a partição de fotoassimilados de forma similar nos dois genótipos, resultando em aumento na proporção entre fontes e drenos, o que pode contribuir para a aclimatação das plantas ao estresse salino. As plantas de sorgo mostraram eficiente mecanismo de retenção de Na+, prevenindo seu acúmulo nos tecidos foliares. Esse mecanismo, no entanto, provocou diminuição na suculência foliar. Os teores foliares de K+ e a retenção de Na+ nos colmos foram maiores no genótipo CSF 20 (tolerante).

킬레이트제가 액체배양 중 인삼 부정근의 게르마늄 축적에 미치는 영향

식물조직배양기술을 이용한 Ge 함유 인삼 부정근 생산 시 Ge의 생산성을 향상시키고자, 다양한 킬레이트제가 인삼 부정근의 Ge 축적과 사포닌 형성 및 생육에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. <TEX>$GeO_2$</TEX> 50ppm과 함께 citric acid, oxalic acid, phosphoric acid, EDTA 및 EGTA와 같은 킬레이트제를 인삼 부정근 배양시 첨가하여 Ge 흡수에 미치는 영향을 조사한 결과, phosphoric acid, EDTA 및 EGTA가 Ge 흡수를 촉진시킨다는 사실을 알 수 있었다. 그러나, EDTA와 EGTA는 인삼부정근의 생육을 억제시킬 뿐만 아니라 Ge 흡수 촉진 효과도 phosphoric acid에 비해 낮으므로 인삼 부정근의 Ge 흡수를 촉진하는데 가장 효과적인 킬레이트제는 phosphoric acid인 것으로 확인되었다. 인삼 부정근의 Ge 흡수 촉진을 위한 phosphoric acid의 최적 농도는 1.0 mM이었고, 이때의 Ge 함량은<TEX>$22.7{\pm}0.3$</TEX> mg%로 대조구<TEX>$(16.8{\pm}0.7$</TEX> mg%)의 1.4배에 해당하는 양이다. 한편, 인삼 부정근의 생장률과 총 사포닌 함량은 phosphoric acid의 농도가 증가할수록 감소하는 경향을 나타내었다. In order to increase the content of germanium in ginseng adventitious roots, the effects of chelating agents on germanium content and root growth were investigated in the submerged cultures of ginseng adventitious roots. Chelating agents such as citric acid, oxalic acid, phosphoric acid, EDTA (Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid) or EGTA (Ethylene glycol-bis <TEX>$({\beta}-aminoethylether)-tetraacetic$</TEX> acid) were administrated in the submerged culture of ginseng root containing 50 ppm <TEX>$GeO_2$</TEX>. After 6 weeks of cultivation, fresh weight, germanium and saponin contents in the roots were analyzed. Among chelating agents, addition of 1.0mM phosphoric acid was found to be best for germanium accumulation. Under this condition, germanium content increased 1.4 times as compared to that of the control. The germanium content in the adventitious roots also increased with addition of EDTA or EGTA, while they inhibited the growth of ginseng adventitious root. Citric and oxalic acids were not effective for increasing germanium content in adventitious roots. As the results, it suggests that the phosphoric acid can be proved as the optimal agent for the enhancement of germanium accumulation in ginseng adventitious roots. These results can be served as a guideline for the mass production of ginseng adventitious roots containing germanium by large-scale production.

A plant growth promoting rhizobacterium, Paenibacillus polymyxa strain GBR-1, suppresses root-knot nematode

Exposure of root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita to various concentrations (5–100%) of culture filtrate of Paenibacillus polymyxa GBR-1 under in vitro conditions significantly reduced egg hatch and caused substantial mortality of its juveniles. The increase in the exposure durations of juveniles to culture filtrate and its concentrations increased the mortality rate. Similarly, higher concentrations increased its inhibitory effect on egg hatch. In higher concentrations (25–100%) egg hatch was inhibited by 84–91% after 2 days of exposures as compared to control in sterile distilled water. Application of various concentrations of culture filtrate extract or bacterial suspension of P. polymyxa GBR-1 into potting soil infested with 2000 J2 of M. incognita, reduced the root galling and nematode populations and increased tomato plant growth and root-mass production compared with untreated control ( P ⩽ 0.05). The beneficial effect of P. polymyxa GBR-1 into potted soil increased exponentially with the increase in dose concentrations. Root gall index was reduced from 4.8 to 1.4 and 1.8 when potting soil was treated with 10% concentrations of culture filtrate extract and bacterial suspension, respectively, compared with untreated control. Application of bacterial suspension of P. polymyxa GBR-1 into potted soil at 3 day pre-inoculation of nematode was the most effective followed by simultaneously and at 2 days post-inoculation; as root galling was reduced by 62.5%, 58.3% and 50.0%, respectively, compared with untreated control.

In vitro screening of potato against water-stress mediated through sorbitol and polyethylene glycol

With the objective to develop a practical and effective method of screening potato for drought tolerance, shoot and root growth in microtuber-derived plantlets was studied in vitro in three genotypes with known root mass production under field conditions. Different levels of water-stress were induced using five concentrations of either sorbitol or polyethylene glycol (PEG) in MS medium. Water potential of various media ranged from -0.80 MPa to -2.05 MPa. Water-stress in culture adversely affected plantlet growth, and genotypes differed for their responses. Genotype IWA-1 was less affected than IWA-3 and IWA-5. At the same level of water potential, sorbitol had lower adverse effect than PEG; the latter being sticky. Genotype x sorbitol and genotype x PEG interactions were significant. At 0.2 M sorbitol and 0.003 M PEG, IWA-1 had significantly more roots with higher total root length, root volume, as well as root-dry weight than those of IWA-3 and IWA-5, whereas the latter two genotypes were at par for all these characters. This pattern was similar to the reported pattern of these genotypes for root-dry weight under field conditions. It is concluded that in vitro screening of potato under specific and limited water-stress conditions may provide a system for effectively differentiating the genotypes for their expected root mass production under field conditions.

Hairy Root Culture for Mass-Production of High-Value Secondary Metabolites

ABSTRACTPlant cell cultivations are being considered as an alternative to agricultural processes for producing valuable phytochemicals. Since many of these products (secondary metabolites) are obtained by direct extraction from plants grown in natural habitat, several factors can alter their yield. The use of plant cell cultures has overcome several inconveniences for the production of these secondary metabolites. Organized cultures, and especially root cultures, can make a significant contribution in the production of secondary metabolites. Most of the research efforts that use differentiated cultures instead of cell suspension cultures have focused on transformed (hairy) roots. Agrobacterium rhizogenes causes hairy root disease in plants. The neoplastic (cancerous) roots produced by A. rhizogenes infection are characterized by high growth rate, genetic stability and growth in hormone free media. These genetically transformed root cultures can produce levels of secondary metabolites comparable to that of intact plants. Hairy root cultures offer promise for high production and productivity of valuable secondary metabolites (used as pharmaceuticals, pigments and flavors) in many plants. The main constraint for commercial exploitation of hairy root cultivations is the development and scaling up of appropriate reactor vessels (bioreactors) that permit the growth of interconnected tissues normally unevenly distributed throughout the vessel. Emphasis has focused on designing appropriate bioreactors suitable to culture the delicate and sensitive plant hairy roots. Recent reactors used for mass production of hairy roots can roughly be divided as liquid-phase, gas-phase, or hybrid reactors. The present review highlights the nature, applications, perspectives and scale up of hairy root cultures for the production of valuable secondary metabolites.

Observations on the suppression of root-knot nematode ( Meloidogyne arenaria) on tomato by incorporation of cyanobacterial powder ( Oscillatoria chlorina) into potting field soil

Experiments were carried out to investigate the nematicidal potential of a cyanobacterium, Oscillatoria chlorina, against the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne arenaria on tomato plants grown in pots filled with 500 cm 3 of field soil infested with 12-s stage juveniles (J 2)/cm 3 soil. Incorporation of freeze-dried cyanobacterial powder into potted field soil at the rate of 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8% and 1.0% (w/w) 5 days prior to tomato planting, reduced root galling, final population of M. arenaria and increased vegetative growth of tomato plants and root-mass production, compared with untreated control ( P ⩾ 0.05). The beneficial effect of adding cyanobacterial powder into infested potted field soil increased exponentially with concentration up to 0.8%. Root galling and nematode population decreased by 68.9% and 97.6%, respectively at the highest dose (1%) of cyanobacterial powder compared with the untreated control. Addition of cyanobacterial powder into infested potted field soil at 5 days before planting was the most effective followed by 2 days before and at the time of tomato planting. We conclude that application rate and timing are important factors in the control of root-knot nematodes with O. chlorina.

Comparative evaluation of modified bioreactors for enhancement of growth and secondary metabolite biosynthesis usingPanax ginseng hairy roots

Hairy root cultures have demonstrated great promise in terms of their biosynthetic capability toward the production of secondary metabolites, but continue to constitute a major challenge with regard to large-scale cultures. In order to assess the possibility of conducting mass production of biomass, and the extraction of useful metabolites fromPanax ginseng. P. ginseng hairy roots, transformed byRhizobium rhizogenes KCTC 2744, were used in bioreactors of different types and sizes. The most effective mass production of hairy roots was achieved in several differently sized air bubble bioreactors compared to all other bioreactor types. Hairy root growth was enhanced by aeration, and the production increased with increasing aeration rate in a 1 L bioreactor culture. It was determined that the hairy root growth rate could be substantially enhanced by increases in the aeration rate upto 0.5 wm, but at aeration rates above 0.5 wm, only slight promotions in growth rates were observed. In 20 L air bubble bioreactors, with a variety of inoculum sizes, the hairy roots exhibited the most robust growth rates with an inoculum size of 0.1% (w/v), within the range 0.1 to 0.7% (w/v). The specific growth rates of the hairy roots decreased with increases in the inoculum size.

Assessment of the risk posed by the antifouling booster biocides Irgarol 1051 and diuron to freshwater macrophytes

Antifouling paints are used to reduce the attachment of living organisms to the submerged surfaces of ships, boats and aquatic structures, usually by the release of a biocide. Two ‘booster’ biocides in common use are the triazine herbicide Irgarol 1051 ( N-2-methylthio-4- tert-butylamino-6-cyclopropylamino- s-triazine), and diuron (1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3,3-dimethylurea), which are designed to inhibit algal photosynthesis. Previous research has been directed at the effects of these compounds in marine and estuarine environments. In 2001 we sampled the main rivers and shallow freshwater lakes (Broads) of East Anglia UK for Irgarol 1051, its metabolite GS26575 (2-methylamino-4- tert-butylamino-6-amino- s-triazine) and diuron in order to establish the baseline environmental concentrations of these compounds in freshwater systems of eastern UK and to investigate their possible effects on aquatic plants. Irgarol 1051, GS26575 and diuron were found in water samples collected from 21 locations. The highest concentrations were found in the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads in May. The rivers Great Ouse, Wissey, Bure and Yare also contained all three compounds, as did the Great Ouse Cut-off Channel. The toxicity of these biocides to three macrophyte species ( Apium nodiflorum, Chara vulgaris, and Myriophyllum spicatum) was investigated. Deleterious effects on relative growth rate, the maximum quantum efficiency (Fv/Fm) of photosystem II and, for Apium, root mass production were found. C. vulgaris was generally most sensitive; growth, especially of roots, was strongly affected in A. nodiflorum; growth rate of M. spicatum was sensitive to diuron. No observed effect concentrations (NOEC) were interpolated using standard toxicological analysis. These were compared with measured environmental concentrations (MEC) to determine the ranges of risk quotients (MEC/NOEC). Both Irgarol 1051 and diuron represented significant risks to A. nodiflorum and C. vulgaris in this area.

The predatory nematode, Mononchoides fortidens (Nematoda: Diplogasterida), suppresses the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne arenaria, in potted field soil

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of inoculum density and application time of the predatory nematode, Mononchoides fortidens, against the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne arenaria, on tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum) cv. Pusa Ruby grown in pots containing 500 g field soil infested with 10 s stage juveniles (J2)/g soil. Addition of M. fortidens to pots at different concentrations (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 per pot) 7 days prior to tomato planting reduced root galling and the final population of M. arenaria and increased vegetative growth of tomato plants and root-mass production, compared with zero predators. The beneficial effect of adding predatory nematodes to infested potted field soil increased exponentially with concentration up to 200 nematodes per pot. Application of predatory nematodes 2 days after tomato planting was ineffective. Efficacy of predatory nematodes applied at the time of planting was intermediate between the treatments where predatory nematodes were added before and after tomato planting. At the end of the experiments, higher numbers of predators were recovered than were inoculated.

Below‐ground responses of silver birch trees exposed to elevated CO2 and O3 levels during three growing seasons

AbstractField‐growing silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) clones (clone 4 and 80) were exposed to elevated CO2 and O3 in open‐top chambers for three consecutive growing seasons (1999–2001). At the beginning of the OTC experiment, all trees were 7 years old. We studied the single and interaction effects of CO2 and O3 on silver birch below‐ground carbon pools (i.e. effects on fine roots and mycorrhizas, soil microbial communities and sporocarp production) and also assessed whether there are any clonal differences in these below‐ground CO2 and O3 responses. The total mycorrhizal infection level of both clones was stimulated by elevated CO2 alone and elevated O3 alone, but not when elevated CO2 was used in fumigation in combination with elevated O3. In both clones, elevated CO2 affected negatively light brown/orange mycorrhizas, while its effect on other mycorrhizal morphotypes was negligible. Elevated O3, instead, clearly decreased the proportions of black and liver‐brown mycorrhizas and increased that of light brown/orange mycorrhizas. Elevated O3 had a tendency to decrease standing fine root mass and sporocarp production as well, both of these O3 effects mainly manifesting in clone 4 trees. CO2 and O3 treatment effects on soil microbial community composition (PLFA, 2‐ and 3‐OH‐FA profiles) were negligible, but quantitative PLFA data showed that in 2001 the PLFA fungi : bacteria‐ratio of clone 80 trees was marginally increased because of elevated CO2 treatments. This study shows that O3 effects were most clearly visible at the mycorrhizal root level and that some clonal differences in CO2 and O3 responses were observable in the below‐ground carbon pools. In conclusion, the present data suggests that CO2 effects were minor, whereas increasing tropospheric O3 levels can be an important stress factor in northern birch forests, as they might alter mycorrhizal morphotype assemblages, mycorrhizal infection rates and sporocarp production.

Management of Meloidogyne incognita on tomato by root-dip treatment in culture filtrate of the blue-green alga, Microcoleus vaginatus

The nematicidal potential of culture filtrates of the blue-green alga, Microcoleus vaginatus (Cyanobacterium) was tested against Meloidogyne incognita on tomato in pots under greenhouse conditions. Prior to the transplantation of tomato seedling, roots were dipped in different concentrations (0.2%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 10%, 50% and 100%) of culture filtrate of M. vaginatus for 30 min. Root-dip treatment reduced the root galling and final population of M. incognita and increased vegetative growth of plants and root-mass production compared with the control. The beneficial effect of root-dip treatment increased with the increase in the concentration of culture filtrate. Root galling and final nematode populations were reduced by 65.9% and 97.5%, respectively when treated at the highest concentration.