Nutrient Solution Culture Experiment Research Articles

Effects of Lead Pollution on Photosynthetic Characteristics and Chlorophyll Fluorescence Parameters of Different Populations of Miscanthus floridulus

This study was conducted in order to study the effect of different concentrations of lead pollution on the photosynthetic characteristics and growth of Miscanthus floridulus, and to reveal its photosynthetic adaptability to lead stress. The differences of gas exchange parameters, chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics and photosynthetic pigment of two Miscanthus floridulus populations, one population from Boluo an uncontaminated site, and another population from Dabaoshan, a mine site, were compared and studied through nutrient solution culture experiments treated with heavy metal lead (Pb) in green house. The results showed that (1) under Pb stress, the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (Tr), stomatal conductance (Gs), intercellular carbon dioxide concentration (Ci), and chlorophyll content (Chl) of the leaves of the two populations decreased in different amplitude. Under moderate and severe Pb stress (80 mg·L−1, 120 mg·L−1, 240 mg·L−1), the plant biomass of non-mining population and mining population plants were 54.5%, 39.7%, 29.4% and 70.4%, 54.7%, 50.9% of the control, respectively. (2) Stomatal restriction was the main factor for the Pn’s decrease in the leaves of the non-mine population under light Pb stress, while the non-stomatal restriction was the main factor for Pn’s decrease in the leaves of the non-mine population under middle and high Pb stresses. (3) Under Pb stress, the maximum photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) and potential activity (Fv/Fo) of PS II reaction centers in the two populations of M. floridulus decreased. However, Fv/Fm and Fv/Fo showed a smaller decrease, but the capability to utilize light and the potential to activate PSII of the mine population remained higher than that of the non-mine population. The changes of photochemical quenching coefficient (qP) and non-photochemical quenching coefficient (NPQ) of PSⅡ showed that qP value decreased and NPQ value increased in the two populations under Pb stress. On the whole, the resistance mining area population had a low qP reduction and a large increase in NPQ. Electronic transfer rate (ETR) and PSII actual fluorescence efficiency (ΦPSII) of the mine population changed slightly under Pb stress. These results indicated that when under Pb stress, the electron transport activity and photosynthetic apparatus were damaged less in the mine population with high resistance than in the non-mine population with low resistance. Conclusion: the mining population of M. floridulus has strong tolerance to Pb, which is suitable for the pioneer species of gramineae in vegetation restoration construction in metal mining area.

Differential Regulation of Kernel Set and Potential Kernel Weight by Nitrogen Supply and Carbohydrate Availability in Maize Genotypes Contrasting in Nitrogen Use Efficiency.

Sub-optimal nitrogen (N) conditions reduce maize yield due to a decrease in two sink components: kernel set and potential kernel weight. Both components are established during the lag phase, suggesting that they could compete for resources during this critical period. However, whether this competition occurs or whether different genotypic strategies exist to optimize photoassimilate use during the lag phase is not clear and requires further investigation. We have addressed this knowledge gap by conducting a nutrient solution culture experiment that allows abrupt changes in N level and light intensity during the lag phase. We investigated plant growth, dry matter partitioning, non-structural carbohydrate concentration, N concentration, and 15N distribution (applied 4 days before silking) in plant organs at the beginning and the end of the lag phase in two maize hybrids that differ in grain yield under N-limited conditions: one is a nitrogen-use-efficient (EFFI) genotype and the other is a control (GREEN) genotype that does not display high N use efficiency. We found that the two genotypes used different mechanisms to regulate kernel set. The GREEN genotype showed a reduction in kernel set associated with reduced dry matter allocation to the ear during the lag phase, indicating that the reduced kernel set under N-limited conditions was related to sink restrictions. This idea was supported by a negative correlation between kernel set and sucrose/total sugar ratios in the kernels, indicating that the capacity for sucrose cleavage might be a key factor defining kernel set in the GREEN genotype. By contrast, the kernel set of the EFFI genotype was not correlated with dry matter allocation to the ear or to a higher capacity for sucrose cleavage; rather, it showed a relationship with the different EFFI ear morphology with bigger kernels at the apex of the ear than in the GREEN genotype. The potential kernel weight was independent of carbohydrate availability but was related to the N flux per kernel in both genotypes. In conclusion, kernel set and potential kernel weight are regulated independently, suggesting the possibility of simultaneously increasing both sink components in maize.

Absorption Kinetics and Subcellular Fractionation of Zinc in Winter Wheat in Response to Nitrogen Supply.

Nitrogen (N) is critical for zinc (Zn) absorption into plant roots; this in turn allows for Zn accumulation and biofortification of grain in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), an important food crop. However, little is known about root morphology and subcellular Zn distribution in response to N treatment at different levels of Zn supply. In this study, two nutrient solution culture experiments were conducted to examine Zn accumulation, Zn absorption kinetics, root morphology, and Zn subcellular distribution in wheat seedlings pre-cultured with different N concentrations. The results showed positive correlations between N and Zn concentrations, and N and Zn accumulation, respectively. The findings suggested that an increase in N supply enhanced root absorption and the root-to-shoot transport of Zn. Nitrogen combined with the high Zn (Zn10) treatment increased the Zn concentration and consequently its accumulation in both shoots and roots. The maximum influx rate (Vmax), root length, surface area, and volume of 14-d-old seedlings, and root growth from 7 to 14 d in the medium N (N7.5) treatment were higher, but the Michaelis constant (Km) and minimum equilibrium concentrations (Cmin) in this treatment were lower than those in the low (N0.05) and high (N15) N treatments, when Zn was supplied at a high level (Zn10). Meanwhile, there were no pronounced differences in the above root traits between the N0.05Zn0 and N7.5Zn10 treatments. An increase in N supply decreased Zn in cell walls and cell organelles, while it increased Zn in the root soluble fraction. In leaves, an increase in N supply significantly decreased Zn in cell walls and the soluble fraction, while it increased Zn in cell organelles under Zn deficiency, but increased Zn distribution in the soluble fraction under medium and high Zn treatments. Therefore, a combination of medium N and high Zn treatments enhanced Zn absorption, apparently by enhancing Zn membrane transport and stimulating root development in winter wheat. An increase in N supply was beneficial in terms of achieving a balanced distribution of Zn subcellular fractions, thus enhancing Zn translocation to shoots, while maintaining normal metabolism.

Selenium effects and quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping for mineral nutrient efficiency traits in wheat at the seedling stage

ABSTRACTA nutrient solution culture experiment was conducted in the greenhouse to investigate the effects of selenium (Se) on biomass and the mineral nutrient efficiency of macroelements phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium (P, K, Ca and Mg) and microelements iron, manganese, copper and zinc (Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn) in wheat at the seedling stage using a set of recombinant inbred lines (RILs). Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis was also performed for all 60 traits. The results showed that 0.1 μmol/L Se can significantly affect the phenotypic traits relation to biomass and nutrient efficiency and the corresponding QTLs. A total of 260 QTLs were located on 19 chromosomes, and 96.54% of these QTLs were only detected in one treatment. A total of 23 important QTL clusters and 31 cooperative uptake and utilization (CUU) loci that colocalized with QTLs for nutrient uptake and/or utilization of at least two elements were also identified. These CUU loci involved 190 out of the 248 QTLs (76.66%) for nutrient efficiency traits, indicating that CUU-QTLs were common for macroelements (P, K, Ca and Mg) and microelements (Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn). Additionally, these loci may be hot spots for genetic control of mineral nutrient efficiency traits.

Nickel supplementation effect on the growth, urease activity and urea and nitrate concentrations in lettuce supplied with different nitrogen sources

Effect of nickel (Ni) in the nutrient solution on yield, N metabolism, and nitrate content of leafy vegetables is poorly understood. The aim of this nutrient solution culture experiment was to investigate the effects of Ni supplementation on the nitrogen (N) metabolism and growth of lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L. cv. Baker) with either urea or nitrate as the N source. Nickel supplement at 0.04 μM reduced urea toxicity to the urea-fed plants. Addition of Ni to the nutrient solution significantly increased the leaves and root growth of the urea-fed lettuce plants while it increased the growth of lettuce plants fed with nitrate only at N level of 20 mM. At N level of 20 mM, the leaves fresh weight of the urea-fed plants promoted by Ni supplement was comparable with the nitrate-fed plants untreated with Ni. Nickel supplementation increased the leaf total N concentrations in the urea-fed plants, although the nitrate-fed plants accumulated greater N in their leaves compared with urea treated plants at without Ni treatment. Nickel addition decreased the concentrations of leaf urea-N in the urea-fed plants and NO 3-N in the nitrate-fed plants. Nickel addition enhanced urease activity in the leaves of urea-fed plants. The results indicated Ni supplementation enhances the growth of the urea-fed lettuce plants while it has role in decreasing leaf nitrate concentration and thus, improving the health quality of the nitrate-fed plants.

Toxic effects of Cu 2+ on growth, nutrition, root morphology, and distribution of Cu in roots of Sabi grass

Sabi grass ( Urochloa mosambicensis (Hack.) Dandy) (a C4 species of Poaceae) is commonly used to revegetate disturbed sites in low-rainfall environments, but comparatively little is known regarding copper (Cu) toxicity in this species. A dilute nutrient solution culture experiment was conducted for 10 d to examine the effects of elevated Cu 2+ activities ({Cu 2+}) on the growth of Sabi grass. Growth was inhibited by high Cu in solution, with a 50% reduction in the relative fresh mass occurring at 1.0 μM {Cu 2+} for the roots and 1.2 μM {Cu 2+} for the shoots. In solutions containing 1.2–1.9 μM {Cu 2+}, many of the roots ruptured due to the tearing and separation of the rhizodermis and outer cortex from the underlying tissues. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that Cu-rich deposits were found to accumulate predominantly within vacuoles. Due to limited translocation of Cu from the roots to the shoots, phytotoxicity is likely to be more of a problem in remediation of Cu-toxic sites than is Cu toxicity of fauna consuming the above-ground biomass.

Aluminium tolerance and high phosphorus efficiency helps Stylosanthes better adapt to low-P acid soils

Stylosanthes spp. (stylo) is one of the most important pasture legumes used in a wide range of agricultural systems on acid soils, where aluminium (Al) toxicity and phosphorus (P) deficiency are two major limiting factors for plant growth. However, physiological mechanisms of stylo adaptation to acid soils are not understood. Twelve stylo genotypes were surveyed under field conditions, followed by sand and nutrient solution culture experiments to investigate possible physiological mechanisms of stylo adaptation to low-P acid soils. Stylo genotypes varied substantially in growth and P uptake in low P conditions in the field. Three genotypes contrasting in P efficiency were selected for experiments in nutrient solution and sand culture to examine their Al tolerance and ability to utilize different P sources, including Ca-P, K-P, Al-P, Fe-P and phytate-P. Among the three tested genotypes, the P-efficient genotype 'TPRC2001-1' had higher Al tolerance than the P-inefficient genotype 'Fine-stem' as indicated by relative tap root length and haematoxylin staining. The three genotypes differed in their ability to utilize different P sources. The P-efficient genotype, 'TPRC2001-1', had superior ability to utilize phytate-P. The findings suggest that possible physiological mechanisms of stylo adaptation to low-P acid soils might involve superior ability of plant roots to tolerate Al toxicity and to utilize organic P and Al-P.

QTL × N-level interaction for plant height in rice (Oriza Sativa L.)

Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for plant height in rice were mapped onto the molecular marker linkage map of a double-haploid (DH) population derived from a cross between IR64 and Azucena under low and high N levels, in both nutrient solution and soil culture experiments. Two QTLs, one on chromosome 1 and the other on chromosome 8, were detected at high N levels in soil and/or nutrient solution culture experiments. A total of 8 QTLs were identified at low N level in the soil and/or nutrient solution culture experiments, which located on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, respectively. The QTL flanked by the molecular markers RZ730 ∼ RZ801 on chromosome 1 was identified in all experimental conditions. This position corresponds to sd-1, a semi-dwarfing gene. The QTLs on chromosomes 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 were only detected at low N level and the QTL on chromosome 8 was only detected at high N level in the nutrient solution culture experiment. Based on the differing responses to low N stress between two parents and the QTL×N-level interaction observed in this study, it is suggested that the expression of several QTLs associated with plant height could be induced by low N stress.

The chlorosis paradox: Fe inactivation as a secondary event in chlorotic leaves of grapevine

Iron chlorosis is a wide‐spread disorder of plants, in particular of those on calcareous soils. Elevated bicarbonate concentrations in the soil solution are considered as a main cause of this chlorosis. In nutrient solution culture experiments a supply of bicarbonate results in inhibited Fe acquisition and a subsequent decreased concentration of Fe in the leaf dry matter. This is indicated by a close positive relationship between chlorophyll and total Fe concentration in the upper leaves. In contrast to nutrient solution experiments, in some pot experiments particularly with calcareous soil, and in field experiments under certain conditions, no such close correlation can be observed and a higher Fe concentration can even be found in young chlorotic leaves than in green leaves. This phenomenon is called “the chlorosis paradox” and it has thus been concluded that, Fe chlorosis might be caused by an Fe inactivation in the plant, in particular in the leaf apoplast, e.g. by an alkalinization process. Reconsideration of published data on this phenomenon of enhanced Fe concentrations in chlorotic leaves, coupled with investigations of grapevine grown on calcareous soil reveal that “the chlorosis paradox” can only be observed in soil culture where severe shoot growth inhibition is already present at an early stage; presumably as a consequence of changes in phytohormone metabolism in connection with inhibited root growth. Obviously, the higher Fe concentration in chlorotic leaves with inhibited expansion growth is a consequence of the diminished dilution of normal high Fe concentrations in young leaves. This high concentration in chlorotic leaves can be observed in spite of a distinct lower Fe content in the individual leaves. The declined concentration of HCl‐extractable Fe in chlorotic leaves is presumably not the cause, but rather the consequence, of Fe chlorosis.

Transfer ofE. coli gutD gene into maize and regeneration of salt-tolerant transgenic plants

GutD gene, encoding a key enzyme (glucitol-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) of sugar alcohol metabolic pathway inE. coli, was transferred into maize. Results of Southern and Western blotting analysis certified that this gene had integrated and been expressed in transgenic maize plants and their progeny. The synthesis and accumulation of sorbitol were detected in transgenic maize plants and a preliminary nutrient solution culture experiment showed that gutD transgenic maize plants had an increased tolerance to salt stress compared with nontransgenic ones.

Calcium Accumulation, Calcium Distribution, and Biomass Partitioning in Collards

`Vates' collard (Brassica oleracea L. Acephala Group) was more susceptible to tipburn than `Blue Max' or “Heavi Crop' in field and nutrient solution culture experiments. The root system of Vates' was smaller than that of `Blue Max' in all experiments. Because of its smaller root system, `Vates' may be more susceptible to moisture stress than `Blue Max' when grown under high-temperature conditions on sandy soils, thus increasing susceptibility to tipburn. Root system size, however, did not influence Ca accumulation or Ca concentration in the plants. Calcium accumulation rate was higher for `Blue Max' and `Heavi Crop' than for Yates' during the 3rd through the 5th weeks of culture, in a nutrient solution that contained 5 mM Ca. Calcium efficiency ratio (CaER, milligrams of dry matter produced per milligram of Ca in tissue) for young leaves was higher for `Blue Max' and `Heavi Crop' than “for `Vates' when plants were grown with 1 mM Ca, which may partly explain the greater susceptibility of `Vates' to tipburn. `Heavi Crop' had a higher total plant CaER than `Blue Max' when grown with 5 mM Ca.

Calcium and Al interactions and soybean growth in nutrient solutions

Abstract The effects of Ca and Al on shoot dry mass and total root length of two cultivars of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) were evaluated in a nutrient solution culture experiment. The experiment consisted of a factorial design comprising varying levels of Ca (ranging from 50 to 2500 μM), and Al (ranging from 0 to 588 μM). Relatively poor correlations were observed between measured plant growth parameters and individual monomeric Al species, this being ascribed to the interactive effect of Ca and Al. However, highly significant coefficients of determination were found where both Al and Ca activities were considered simultaneously. The best fit of the data was obtained when plant response was plotted against Calcium Aluminum Balance (CAB = [2log(Ca2+)] ‐ [3log(Al3+) + 2log(AlOH2+) + log(Al(OH)2 +)]). Increasing Al levels in solution significantly depressed Ca, Mg, P and Mn concentrations in the shoots over all Ca treatments. There was no relationship observed between shoot concentration Al and the acti...

The effect of sulphate on the selenium content of pasture plants

In the three experiments reported, the selenium content of pastures was shown to be substantially affected by applications of sulphate fertilizer. Where pasture yields responded to sulphur topdressing, selenium levels in the legumes present were reduced by as much as 50 per cent due largely to yield dilution effects. On a second site, where pasture responses to sulphur were not obtained, selenium levels were also depressed, in this case indicating the existence of an antagonism between sulphur and selenium. A subsequent nutrient solution culture experiment indicated that an antagonism existed between sulphate and both selenate and selenite forms, with the effects being much stronger in the case of the selenate. The implications in animal production of the effects of applied sulphur on pasture selenium levels and of the associated increases in pasture sulphur levels are discussed.