Plant Injury Research Articles

Role of pathogen-induced volatiles in the Nicotiana tabacum–Golovinomyces cichoracearum interaction

Plant injuries activate signal transduction cascades mediated by the plant hormones, which lead to enhanced expression of defence related genes and/or to changes in the emission of volatile organic compounds that can act as semiochemicals. In this research we demostrated that infection with the biotrophic pathogen Golovinomyces cichoracearum (DC.) V.P. Heluta (ex Erysiphe cichoracearum DC.), the causal agent of powdery mildew, led in the susceptible host Nicotiana tabacum L. cv Havana 425 to an increased emission of volatile compounds including Methyl-jasmonate (MeJA), (E)-2-hexenal and (E)-β-ocimene. Furthermore we investigated the role of these volatiles in the plant-pathogen interaction. Exogenous application of MeJA induced in tobacco an increase in the transcripts level of the defence related genes lipoxygenase, allene oxide cyclase and defensin and a decrease in the severity of the infection. Qualitative and quantitative differences in volatile compounds emission were showed also in MeJA-treated plants, where the emission of (E)-β-ocimene was significantly increased instead (E)-2-hexenal was not detected. Application of (E)-2-hexenal reduced the severity of powdery mildew while application of (E)-β-ocimene did not. Since (E)-2-hexenal did not activate in tobacco the accumulation of the above reported genes transcripts and the plant cell death, the reduction of the infection severity could be attributable to its inhibitory activity on the fungal germ tube growth. Our data highlight the contributions of natural substances that can act, directly or indirectly, against phytopathogens. In the global context of sustainability, food safety and environmental protection, such semiochemicals represent an alternative and promising approach to integrated pest management.

Effects of Ozone and PAN Concentrations and Exposure Duration on Plant Injury

Effects of Ozone and PAN Concentrations and Exposure Duration on Plant Injury

Weed control and crop tolerance to propane flaming as influenced by the time of day

Time of day has been observed to affect flaming efficacy. The basis for the differential plant response is not well understood; however, daily variation in leaf relative water content (RWC) is thought to contribute to the response. Leaf RWC is the ratio of the amount of water in the leaf tissue compared to when fully turgid. To determine the influence of leaf RWC in plant response to propane flaming, greenhouse experiments were conducted during April and repeated in September of 2009. Two crops [4-leaf maize ( Zea mays) and second trifoliate soybean ( Glycine max)] and two weed species [5-leaf velvetleaf ( Abutilon theophrasti) and 6-leaf green foxtail ( Setaria viridis)] were flamed with four propane doses of 0, 29, 43 and 87 kg ha −1 at 0, 4, 8 and 12 h after sunrise-HAS. Leaf RWC was measured before treatment application. Flaming treatment was conducted utilizing a hand flamer with one VT 2–23 C vapor phase burner positioned 20 cm above soil surface and angled horizontally at 30°. The propane pressure was 120 kPa and the application speeds were 1.6, 3.2 and 4.8 km h −1. The plant responses evaluated were plant injury and fresh weight at 7 days after treatment (DAT). All plant species were more susceptible to flaming during the afternoon when they had lower leaf RWC at 8 HAS; however, the response of these plants did not differ with the plants flamed at 12 HAS. Green foxtail flamed at 87 kg ha −1 at 0, 8 and 12 HAS had injury of 62, 76 and 82%, respectively. The same response was observed in velvetleaf which had 80% injury when flamed with 87 kg ha −1 at 0 HAS and 93% injury when flamed at 12 HAS with the same propane dose at 7 DAT. Similar trends occurred for maize and soybean suggesting that leaf RWC could be one of the factors affecting plant response to flaming. Practical implication is that flaming operation should be conducted in the afternoon in order to improve efficacy of weed control and reduce propane consumption rate.

Biology, Crop Injury, and Management of Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) Infesting Cotton Seedlings in the United States

Several species of thrips are known to infest cotton seedlings in the United States and constitute one of the most common insect pest challenges for growers. The species complex, species abundance, extent of crop injury, and impact on lint yield varies widely across the cotton states. Cotton seedlings are most susceptible to thrips injury during the first 4 to 5 weeks after plant emergence. Feeding by thrips results in distortion, malformation and tearing of seedling leaves, reduced leaf area and plant height, reduced root growth, and injury to or death of the apical meristem, the latter of which leads to excessive vegetative branching. Plant maturity (i.e., fruit production) can be delayed and in extreme cases, losses of as much a 30-50% of lint yield potential have been reported. To date, no varieties of cotton have resistance to thrips, so controls are based solely on insecticide applications. Treatment thresholds and control practices (e.g., insecticide seed treatments, in-furrow or foliar applied insecticides) vary widely across cotton states. This article provides a brief summary of the various species of thrips present in U.S. cotton, their plant host range and injury to cotton, a general description of thrips biology, and management practices currently available to growers.

Soil nitrogen availability and herbivore attack influence the chemical defenses of an invasive plant (Linaria dalmatica; Plantaginaceae)

Chemical defenses are thought to contribute to the invasion success and impacts of many introduced plants; however, for most of these species, little is known about these compounds and how they vary in natural environments. Plant allelochemical concentrations may be affected by a variety of abiotic and biotic factors, including soil nutrients and herbivores. Moreover, such quantitative variation is likely to play an important role in species interactions involving these invasive plants. The purpose of this study was to examine patterns of variation in iridoid glycoside concentrations of the invasive plant Linaria dalmatica (Plantaginaceae). We conducted a greenhouse experiment to investigate the effect of soil nitrogen availability on iridoid glycoside concentrations. Results from this experiment showed that plant iridoid glycoside concentrations decreased with increased nitrogen availability. Additionally, plants were collected from multiple field sites in order to characterize the influence of population, soil nitrogen availability, and herbivore attack on iridoid glycoside variation. Results from field studies indicated that plants demonstrated considerable seasonal variation, as well as variation within and among populations, with iridoid glycoside concentrations ranging from approximately 1 to 15% dry weight. The relationship between soil nitrogen and plant iridoid glycosides varied among populations, with a strong negative correlation in one population, a marginally significant negative relationship in a second population, and no relationship in the remaining two populations. Additionally, we found a negative relationship between iridoid glycoside concentrations and plant injury by an introduced biocontrol agent, the stem-mining weevil Mecinus janthinus (Cucurlionidae). These results show that plant allelochemical concentrations can vary widely in natural environments and suggest that levels of plant defense may be reduced by increased soil nitrogen availability and herbivore attack in this invasive plant species.

Gastrophysa polygoni herbivory on Rumex confertus: Single leaf VOC induction and dose dependent herbivore attraction/repellence to individual compounds

We report large induction (>65 fold increases) of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from a single leaf of the invasive weed mossy sorrel, Rumex confertus Willd. (Polygonaceae), by herbivory of the dock leaf beetle, Gastrophysa polygoni L. ( Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). The R. confertus VOC blend induced by G. polygoni herbivory included two green leaf volatiles (( Z)-3-hexenal, ( Z)-3-hexen-1-yl acetate) and three terpenes (linalool, ß-caryophyllene, ( E)-ß-farnesene). Uninjured leaves produced small constitutive amounts of the GLVs and barely detectable amounts of the terpenes. A Y-tube olfactometer bioassay revealed that both sexes of adult G. polygoni were attracted to ( Z)-3-hexenal and ( Z)-3-hexen-1-yl acetate at a concentration of 300 ng h −1. No significant G. polygoni attraction or repellence was detected for any VOC at other concentrations (60 and 1500 ng h −1). Yet, G. polygoni males and females were significantly repelled by (or avoided) at the highest test concentration (7500 ng h −1) of both GLVs and ( E)-ß-farnesene. Mated male and female G. polygoni might be attracted to injured R. confertus leaves, but might avoid R. confertus when VOC concentrations (especially the terpene ( E)-ß-farnesene) suggest high overall plant injury from conspecifics, G. viridula, or high infestations of other herbivores that release ( E)-ß-farnesene (e.g., aphids). Tests in the future will need to examine G. polygoni responses to VOCs emitted directly from uninjured (constitutive) and injured (induced) R. confertus, and examine whether R. confertus VOC induction concentrations increase with greater tissue removal on a single leaf and/or the number of leaves with feeding injury.

Determination of differences in crop injury from aerial application of glyphosate using vegetation indices

Crop injury caused by off-target drift of herbicide can seriously reduce growth and yield and is of great concern to farmers and aerial applicators. Farmers can benefit from identifying an indirect method for assessing the level of crop injury. This study evaluates the combined use of statistical methods and vegetation indices (VIs) derived from multispectral images to assess the level of crop injury. An experiment was conducted in 2009 to determine glyphosate injury differences among the cotton, corn, and soybean crops. The crops were planted in eight rows spaced 102 cm apart and 80 m long with four replications. Seven VIs were calculated from multispectral images collected at 7 and 21 days after the glyphosate application (DAA). At each image collection date, visual injury estimates were assessed and data were collected for plant height, chlorophyll content, and shoot dry weight. From the seven VIs evaluated as surrogate for glyphosate injury identification using a canonical correlation analysis (CCA), the Chlorophyll Vegetation Index (CVI) showed the highest correlation with field-measured plant injury data. CVI image values were subtracted from the CVI average values of the non-injured area to generate CVI residual images (CVI res ). Frequency distribution histograms of CVI res image values were calculated to assess the level of injury between crops. These data suggested that injury increased from 7DAA to 21DAA with corn exhibiting higher severity of injury than cotton or soybean, while only moderate injury was observed for cotton. The techniques evaluated in this study are promising for estimating the level of glyphosate herbicide drift, which can be used to make appropriate management decisions considering crop proximity.

Herbicide Effect on Napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum) Control

Field and greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine the effect of herbicides on napiergrass growth and control. In greenhouse experiments, hexazinone, glyphosate, and imazapic were applied POST, and carbon dioxide (CO2) assimilation was measured with the use of an open-flow gas-exchange system up to 22 d after treatment (DAT). Carbon dioxide assimilation was reduced to zero, indicating plant death, for hexazinone- and glyphosate-treated napiergrass by 2 and 12 DAT, respectively. Imazapic-treated napiergrass CO2assimilation declined to a constant rate by 22 DAT, but never reached zero. Field studies at Chula and Ty Ty, Georgia, evaluated herbicides for napiergrass control. Herbicide treatments included autumn-only applications, autumn followed by spring applications, and spring-only applications. All autumn-applied treatments exhibited regrowth in the spring. Plants were not affected by cold winter temperatures. A spade tillage treatment was implemented in January 2010, but was not effective in controlling napiergrass. Spring treatments included split applications of autumn treatments and spring-only treatments of glyphosate, glyphosate plus sethoxydim, and imazapyr. Sequential autumn and spring treatments containing glyphosate at both locations failed to eradicate napiergrass. Imazapyr applied spring achieved 94% plant injury by 34 DAT, and indicated potential napiergrass control. Greenhouse results indicated multiple modes of action could be effective in reducing napiergrass growth, but were inconsistent with field results. Further field studies are needed to derive conclusive methods of napiergrass control.

Role of endogenous salicylic acid in Arabidopsis response to elevated sulfur dioxide concentration

The response of Arabidopsis thaliana plants to elevated sulfur dioxide could be related to their endogenous salicylic acid (SA) content and signaling. The wild type (WT, ecotype Columbia) and its mutant snc1 with high SA content, npr1-1 with a blockage in SA signaling, transgenic line nahG with low SA content and double mutant snc1nahG plants were exposed to 0.5 mm3 dm-3 SO2 for 3 h d-1 for 14 d in a growth chamber. Under unstressed conditions, total SA contents in snc1 and npr1-1 were 7- and 2-fold higher than those in WT, respectively, but in nahG SA content was only 28 % of that in WT. The expression of nahG in snc1 plants decreased SA content to the WT level. Increased SA contents were observed in snc1, npr1-1 and WT after 12-h SO2 exposure, whereas no major changes were detected in nahG and snc1nahG plants. The snc1 plants exhibited higher tolerance to SO2 exposure than snc1nahG plants and especially nahG and npr1-1 plants according to plant biomass, total chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rate. The SO2 exposure decreased net photosynthetic rate, maximum photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) and actual quantum efficiency of photosystem 2 (ΦPS2). SO2-induced oxidative damage in the tested plants was confirmed by increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content and electrolyte leakage. Increases in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activity, reduced glutathione (GSH) content and a ratio of reduced/oxidized glutathione (GSSG) might be responsible for the decreased contents of H2O2 and alleviation of oxidative injury in snc1 plants compared with other lines exposed to SO2. These observations implied that endogenous SA content and signaling may play an essential role in plant responses to SO2 stress.

Biological Response of Soybean and Cotton to Aerial Glyphosate Drift

When glyphosate is applied to glyphosate-resistant (GR) crops, drift on to off-target sensitive crops may cause injury and mortality. An aerial application drift study was conducted in 2009 to determine biological effects of glyphosate on non-glyphosate-resistant (non-GR) cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and non-GR soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Glyphosate at 866 g ae/ha was applied using an Air Tractor 402B agricultural aircraft in an 18.3 m spray swath to crops at the two- to three-leaf stage. Visual plant injury, chlorophyll, shikimate, plant height, and shoot dry weight were determined at one, two, and three weeks after application (WAA) of glyphosate. Biological responses differed between crops as a function of downwind drift distance. For example, at 3 WAA soybean was dead 6 m downwind from the spray swath, whereas cotton sustained 85% visual injury. Plant injury was not observed beyond 25.6 m downwind in soybean and 35.4 m downwind in cotton at 3 WAA. Chlorophyll reduction was higher (80%) in soybean compared with cotton (43%) at 0 m from the edge of the spray at 1 WAA. Shikimate levels 1 WAA decreased from 1518% at 0 m to 209% at 35.4 m downwind in soybean; at the same sampling time shikimate levels in cotton decreased from 464% at 0 m to 0% at 35.4 m. At 35.4 m downwind, shoot dry weight (5–13%) and plant height (6–8%) were reduced in both crops at 3 WAA. The biological response of soybean and cotton to glyphosate drift decreased with increased distance from the edge of spray swath. These biological data suggested that soybean was more susceptible to glyphosate drift than cotton and elevated shikimate level could be used as a sensitive indicator to confirm plant exposure to glyphosate drift.

Differences in Ion Accumulation and Salt Tolerance among Glycine Accessions

Salinity reduces crop yield by limiting water uptake and causing ion-specific stress. Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is sensitive to soil salinity. However, there is variability among soybean genotypes and wild relatives for salt tolerance, suggesting that genetic improvement may be possible. The objective of this study was to identify differences in salt tolerance based on ion accumulation in leaves, stems and roots among accessions of four Glycine species. Four NaCl treatments, 0, 50, 75 and 100 mm, were imposed on G. max, G. soja, G. tomentella and G. argyrea accessions with different levels of salinity tolerance. Tolerant genotypes had less leaf scorch and a greater capacity to prevent Na+ and Cl− transport from soil solution to stems and leaves than sensitive genotypes. Magnitude of leaf injury per unit increase in leaf Na+ or Cl− concentrations was lower in tolerant than in susceptible accessions. Also, plant injury was associated more with Na+ rather than with Cl− concentration in leaves. Salt-tolerant accessions had greater leaf chlorophyll-meter readings than sensitive genotypes at all NaCl concentrations. Glycine argyrea and G. tomentella accessions possessed higher salt tolerance than G. soja and G. max genotypes.

Glufosinate Effects on Nitrogen Nutrition, Growth, Yield, and Seed Composition in Glufosinate-Resistant and Glufosinate-Sensitive Soybean

Glufosinate applied to glufosinate-resistant crops may drift and injure glufosinate-sensitive crops. A 2-yr field study examined glufosinate effects on plant injury, chlorophyll content, nodulation, nitrogenase activity, leaf nitrogen, yield, and seed composition in soybean. Glufosinate drift was simulated by application at 45 g/ha to glyphosate-resistant and conventional (glufosinate-sensitive) soybean at 3 weeks after planting (WAP). Glufosinate effects were also evaluated in glufosinate-resistant soybean at 450 g/ha applied twice at 3 and 6 WAP. In glufosinate-resistant soybean, chlorophyll, nitrogenase activity, root respiration, plant biomass, and yield were not affected; seed nitrogen and protein were increased; seed oil content decreased. In glufosinate-sensitive soybean, glufosinate caused 28-32% injury and decreased 35-42% chlorophyll content within 3 d after treatment (DAT) but soybean completely recovered by 14 DAT. Glufosinate had no effect on plant biomass, nitrogenase activity, and root respiration in 2009 and inconsistent effects in 2010. In glufosinate-sensitive soybean, glufosinate had no effect on yield; increased leaf nitrogen, seed protein, and oleic acid; decreased oil content, linoleic, and linolenic acid. Glufosinate-sensitive soybean exposed to glufosinate drift may exhibit transient injury but soybean could recover without a yield penalty. Glufosinate altered seed composition in all soybean types.

Physiological responses of glyphosate-resistant and glyphosate-sensitive soybean to aminomethylphosphonic acid, a metabolite of glyphosate

Aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) is formed in glyphosate-treated glyphosate-resistant (GR) and glyphosate-sensitive (GS) soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.] plants and is known to cause yellowing in soybean. Although, AMPA is less phytotoxic than glyphosate, its mode of action is different from that of glyphosate and is still unknown. Greenhouse studies were conducted at Stoneville, MS to determine the effects of AMPA on plant growth, chlorophyll content, photosynthesis, nodulation, nitrogenase activity, nitrate reductase activity, and shoot nitrogen content in GR and GS soybeans. AMPA was applied to one- to two-trifoliolate leaf stage soybeans at 0.1 and 1.0 kg ha −1, representing a scenario of 10% and 100% degradation of glyphosate (1.0 kg ae ha −1 use rate) to AMPA, respectively. Overall, AMPA effects were more pronounced at 1.0 kg ha −1 than at 0.1 kg ha −1 rate. Visual plant injury (18–27%) was observed on young leaves within 3 d after treatment (DAT) with AMPA at the higher rate regardless of soybean type. AMPA injury peaked to 46–49% at 14 DAT and decreased to 17–18% by 28 DAT, in both soybean types. AMPA reduced the chlorophyll content by 37%, 48%, 66%, and 23% in GR soybean, and 17%, 48%, 57%, and 22% in GS soybean at 3, 7, 14, and 28 DAT, respectively. AMPA reduced the photosynthesis rate by 65%, 85%, and 77% in GR soybean and 59%, 88%, and 69% in GS soybean at 3, 7, and 14 DAT, respectively, compared to non-treated plants. Similarly, AMPA reduced stomatal conductance to water vapor and transpiration rates at 3, 7, and 14 DAT compared to non-treated plants in both soybean types. Photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate recovered to the levels of non-treated plants by 28 DAT. Plant height and shoot dry weight at 28 DAT; nodulation, nitrogenase activity at 10 DAT, and nitrate reductase activity at 3 and 14 DAT were unaffected by AMPA. AMPA reduced root respiration and shoot nitrogen content at 10 DAT. These results suggest that a foliar application of AMPA could indirectly reduce photosynthesis through decreased chlorophyll content in GR and GS soybean up to 14 DAT, but affected plants can recover to normal growth by 28 DAT.

Role of osmotic stress in ion accumulation and physiological responses of mycorrhizal white spruce (Picea glauca) and jack pine (Pinus banksiana) to soil fluoride and NaCl

To examine the mechanisms of earlier reported alleviation of fluoride injury in ectomycorrhizal plants by NaCl, jack pine (Pinus banksiana) and white spruce (Picea glauca) seedlings were subjected to 1 mM and 5 mM KF in the presence of either 60 mM NaCl or 10% polyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG) for 2 weeks. Before the treatments, seedlings had either been inoculated with the ectomycorrhizal fungus Suillus tomentosus or remained non-inoculated. The inoculation with S. tomentosus reduced Na uptake by shoots and roots of jack pine seedling and by roots of white spruce that were treated with 60 mM NaCl. Mycorrhizal associations also drastically decreased fluoride uptake by jack pine seedlings, but did not affect shoot fluoride concentrations in white spruce. When NaCl was replaced by PEG in the 5 mM KF treatment solution, shoot fluoride concentrations were reduced by more than twofold without corresponding reductions in transpiration rates in mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal white spruce seedlings. When fluoride was present in the treatment solution, Na concentrations were lower in shoots and roots of both jack pine and white spruce mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal seedlings. The results suggest that Suillus tomentosus may help alleviate the effects of soil fluoride and salinity in jack pine and that fluoride uptake in white spruce is sensitive to osmotic stress.

Response of Potatoes to Soil-Applied Insecticides, Fungicides, and Herbicides

Non-target impacts of pesticides are well documented in crops such as soybeans and corn. However, little effort has been made to evaluate these impacts in potatoes. Field trials were conducted at the Parma and Aberdeen Research and Extension Centers during 2005 and 2006 to evaluate the potential for systemic insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides to affect disease development, crop injury, and tuber yield. The first set of trials evaluated six insecticide treatments (aldicarb, oxamyl, phorate, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, and non-treated) in a factorial combination with in-furrow application of the fungicide azoxystrobin. Azoxystrobin significantly decreased Rhizoctonia stem canker, while aldicarb and phorate tended to increase it compared to the non-treated control. There was a significant insecticide by fungicide interaction due to a bigger reduction in disease index by the fungicide when certain insecticides were used. Despite the association of these insecticides with increased disease incidence, there was no significant impact on yield. In the second set of trials, sulfentrazone herbicide was applied just prior to plant emergence to potatoes treated with the same six insecticides to evaluate the potential for the in-furrow treatments to increase plant injury. Sulfentrazone caused stunting and visible plant injury, but the level of plant injury was influenced by insecticide treatment in only one out of four trials.

Susceptibility of Cry1Ab-susceptible and -resistant sugarcane borer to transgenic corn plants containing single or pyramided Bacillus thuringiensis genes

Multiple independent trials were conducted to evaluate the performance of Cry1Ab-susceptible (Cry1Ab-SS), -heterozygous (Cry1Ab-RS), and -resistant (Cry1Ab-RR) genotypes of the sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.), on eight commercial hybrids and six experimental corn lines. The commercial varieties included two non-Bt and six Bt corn hybrids that expressed a single Bt protein (either Cry1Ab or Cry1F) targeting above-ground lepidopteran pests. The six experimental lines consisted of two non-Bt and four Bt corn lines, two expressing just the Cry1Ab protein and two containing the pyramided-genes Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab2 (event MON 89034). Larval mortality on non-Bt corn leaf tissue ranged from 6 to 45% after 12 d across insect genotypes. The 12 d mortality of Cry1Ab-SS on leaf tissue of commercial Cry1Ab or Cry1F corn was 96–100%, whereas it was 80–96% for Cry1Ab-RS and 68–78% for Cry1Ab-RR. On intact plants, 39–64% of larvae survived on non-Bt corn plants after 21–25 d. Larval survivorship on intact plants of commercial Cry1Ab or Cry1F corn was 0–8.1% for Cry1Ab-SS, 1.3–34% for Cry1Ab-RS, and 19–51% for Cry1Ab-RR. Larvae of Cry1Ab-RR and -RS also caused significant plant injury to most of the commercial Bt corn hybrids, especially to the Cry1Ab corn. Cry1Ab resistance in D. saccharalis was incompletely dominant on commercial Bt corn hybrids. However, both experimental lines with pyramided genes of Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab2 provided complete control of all three insect genotypes in both leaf tissue and intact plant tests. Results of this study suggest that MON 89034 should offer a means for Bt resistance management in D. saccharalis.

Profundidade de localização do herbicida imazetapir + imazapique no solo sobre a fitotoxicidade em de plantas de arroz não resistente

Os herbicidas imazetapir e imazapique, usados em cultivares de arroz Clearfield®, possuem alta persistência e mobilidade no solo, ocasionando danos em genótipos de arroz não resistentes cultivados em rotação. Tais herbicidas podem lixiviar e atingir maiores profundidades ao longo do perfil. Esse posicionamento em profundidade pode ser um fator de seletividade e explicar parcialmente os diferentes resultados encontrados na literatura sobre o efeito residual do herbicida no solo. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o efeito da profundidade de localização no solo e da mistura formulada pelos herbicidas imazetapir e imazapique (75 e 25g e.a. L-1) na fitotoxicidade em genótipos de arroz não resistentes. Nesse sentido, foram conduzidos dois experimentos em solo com 15% de argila e 1,2% de matéria orgânica, em casa-de-vegetação, no campus da Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel), em Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul (RS). O experimento I consistiu de estudo preliminar visando a determinar a profundidade máxima de localização do herbicida no solo que causa danos ao arroz não resistente, e o herbicida foi alocado nas profundidades de 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 50 e 70cm. O experimento II também consistiu na alocação do herbicida em profundidades ao longo do perfil do solo de 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 e 18cm. As variáveis analisadas foram fitotoxicidade, massa da matéria seca e estatura das plantas. O herbicida resultante da mistura formulada de imazetapir com imazapique localizado próximo à superfície do solo causa danos intensos em plantas de arroz não resistente, porém, quando alocado em profundidades maiores que 20cm da superfície do solo, não prejudica o desenvolvimento de genótipos de arroz não resistentes a essa mistura de herbicidas.

Haem oxygenase delays programmed cell death in wheat aleurone layers by modulation of hydrogen peroxide metabolism.

Haem oxygenase-1 (HO-1) confers protection against a variety of oxidant-induced cell and tissue injury in animals and plants. In this report, it is confirmed that programmed cell death (PCD) in wheat aleurone layers is stimulated by GA and prevented by ABA. Meanwhile, HO activity and HO-1 protein expression exhibited lower levels in GA-treated layers, whereas the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content was apparently increased. The pharmacology approach illustrated that scavenging or accumulating H2O2 either delayed or accelerated GA-induced PCD. Furthermore, pretreatment with the HO-1 specific inhibitor, zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPPIX), before exposure to GA, not only decreased HO activity but also accelerated GA-induced PCD significantly. The application of the HO-1 inducer, haematin, and the enzymatic reaction product of HO, carbon monoxide (CO) aqueous solution, both of which brought about a noticeable induction of HO expression, substantially prevented GA-induced PCD. These effects were reversed when ZnPPIX was added, suggesting that HO in vivo played a role in delaying PCD. Meanwhile, catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities or transcripts were enhanced by haematin, CO, or bilirubin (BR), the catalytic by-product of HO. This enhancement resulted in a decrease in H2O2 production and a delay in PCD. In addition, the antioxidants butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), dithiothreitol (DTT), and ascorbic acid (AsA) were able not only to delay PCD but also to mimic the effects of haematin and CO on HO up-regulation. Overall, the above results suggested that up-regulation of HO expression delays PCD through the down-regulation of H2O2 production.

Protection of plants from ambient ozone by applications of ethylenediurea (EDU): A meta-analytic review

A meta-analysis was conducted to quantitatively assess the effects of ethylenediurea (EDU) on ozone (O 3) injury, growth, physiology and productivity of plants grown in ambient air conditions. Results indicated that EDU significantly reduced O 3-caused visible injury by 76%, and increased photosynthetic rate by 8%, above-ground biomass by 7% and crop yield by 15% in comparison with non-EDU treated plants, suggesting that ozone reduces growth and yield under current ambient conditions. EDU significantly ameliorated the biomass and yield of crops and grasses, but had no significant effect on tree growth with an exception of stem diameter. EDU applied as a soil drench at a concentration of 200–400 mg/L has the highest positive effect on crops grown in the field. Long-term research on full-grown tree species is needed. In conclusion, EDU is a powerful tool for assessing effects of ambient [O 3] on vegetation.

Investigating the Impact of Elevated Levels of Ozone on Tropical Wheat Using Integrated Phenotypical, Physiological, Biochemical, and Proteomics Approaches

Ozone (O3), a potent air pollutant and a significant greenhouse gas, has been recognized as a major component of global climate change. However, current increasing trends in its background level are projecting a more severe threat to natural and cultivated plants in the near future. The present study has been designed to evaluate the impact of elevated concentrations of O3 on phenotypical, physiological, and biochemical traits in two high-yielding cultivars of wheat, followed by analysis of the leaf proteome using one/two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (1-/2-DGE) coupled to immunoblotting and mass spectrometry analyses under near-natural conditions using open top chambers. Prominently, O3 exposure caused specific foliar injury in both the wheat cultivars. Results also showed that O3 stress significantly decreased photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and chlorophyll fluorescence kinetics (Fv/Fm) in test cultivars. Biochemical evaluations further revealed a higher loss in photosynthetic pigments, whereas a significantly induced antioxidant system under elevated O3 concentrations pointed toward an ability of O3 to generate oxidative stress. 1-DGE analysis showed drastic reductions in the abundantly present ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) large and small subunits. Western blot analysis confirmed induced accumulation of antioxidative enzymes like superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase protein(s) and common defense/stress-related thaumatin-like protein(s). 2-DGE analysis revealed a total of 38 differentially expressed protein spots, common in both the wheat cultivars. Among those, some major leaf photosynthetic proteins (including RuBisCO and RuBisCO activase) and important energy metabolism proteins (including ATP synthase, aldolase, and phosphoglycerate kinase) were drastically reduced, whereas some stress/defense-related proteins (such as harpin-binding protein and germin-like protein) were induced. In all, the present study reveals an intimate molecular network provoked by O3 affecting photosynthesis and triggering antioxidative defense and stress-related proteins culminating in accelerated foliar injury in wheat plants.