Reduced Plant Biomass Research Articles

In situ mapping of ion distribution profiles and gene expression reveals interactions between hypoxia and Mn2+/Fe2+ availability in barley roots

Flooding stress affects soil properties thus altering the availability, uptake, and transport of mineral nutrients in plant roots. Flooding stress also increases the amount of soluble Mn2+ and Fe2+ in the soil and their uptake by plants, causing elemental toxicity. However, as oxygen profiles in plant roots are not uniform, it is still unclear how soil flooding will affect Mn2+/Fe2+ absorption and distribution in different cell types and tissues. In this study, waterlogging sensitive barley variety NasoNijo (NN) and tolerant variety TX9425 (TX) were exposed to hypoxia, metal (Mn2+ and Fe2+), and combined hypoxia + metal treatment to map the in situ ion profiles at different regions of barley root. We found that combined hypoxia and metal stress causes significantly more reduction in plant biomass compared with the single submergence or metal stress. Despite this, more Fe and Mn were accumulated under metal stress condition than those under combined stress, regardless of variety. Cultivar NN absorbed more Fe and Mn than TX in the cortical cells of the root meristem and in the mature zone under metal stress which was also verified by histochemical detection. In the mature zone, the expressions of Fe and Mn transporter genes including HvADPRibase-Mn (Manganese-dependent ADP-ribose), HvZIP1 (zinc-regulated transporter /Fe-regulated transporter-like protein 1), HvYS1 (yellow stripe 1), HvNRAMP5 (Natural Resistance-Associated Macrophage Protein 5) were significantly downregulated under all three treatments in both barley varieties except HvADPRibase-Mn HvZIP1 cortex of TX were unchanged under metal stress. Interestingly, the transcripts of HvMTP1 (metal tolerance protein 1) were significantly downregulated by metal and combined stress in stele and upregulated by hypoxia and metal stress in cortex of TX, but not affected in NN. It is concluded that Fe and Mn absorption involving HvMTP1is associated with the extent of waterlogging tolerance in barley.

From bottom‐up to top‐down control of invertebrate herbivores in a retrogressive chronosequence

In the long-term absence of disturbance, ecosystems often enter a decline or retrogressive phase which leads to reductions in primary productivity, plant biomass, nutrient cycling and foliar quality. However, the consequences of ecosystem retrogression for higher trophic levels such as herbivores and predators, are less clear. Using a post-fire forested island-chronosequence across which retrogression occurs, we provide evidence that nutrient availability strongly controls invertebrate herbivore biomass when predators are few, but that there is a switch from bottom-up to top-down control when predators are common. This trophic flip in herbivore control probably arises because invertebrate predators respond to alternative energy channels from the adjacent aquatic matrix, which were independent of terrestrial plant biomass. Our results suggest that effects of nutrient limitation resulting from ecosystem retrogression on trophic cascades are modified by nutrient-independent variation in predator abundance, and this calls for a more holistic approach to trophic ecology to better understand herbivore effects on plant communities.

Synthesis of phytostabilized zinc oxide nanoparticles and their effects on physiological and anti-oxidative responses of Zea mays (L.) under chromium stress

Chromium (Cr) is a hazardous metal that has a significant risk of transfer from soil to edible parts of food crops, including shoot tissues. Reduction of Cr accumulation is required to lower the risk of Cr-exposed in humans and animals feeding on metal-contaminated parts of such plant. Zea mays is a global staple crop irrigated intensively with Cr-contaminated water. Consequently, the objective of this study was to investigate that FI-stabilized ZnO NPs could be used as an eco-friendly and efficient amendment to reduced Cr uptake and toxicity in Zea mays. To investigate the growth parameters, physiological, oxidative stress and biochemical parameters under different Cr-VI concentrations (10.0, 15.0, and 20.0 ppm). Cr exposed Z. mays plants exhibited substantially reduced plant biomass, chlorophyll contents, and altered antioxidant enzyme activity compared to untreated control. The results revealed that foliar application of Fagonia-ZnO-NPs helps eliminate the harmful effects of Cr (VI), which can enter plants through soil pollution. Increased levels of proline, soluble sugars and various antioxidant enzymes reflected this. Mean comparisons showed that Cr stress led to a 33–50% reduction in fresh shoot weight, 73–170% in fresh root weight, 16–34% shoot length, 9.5–129% root length, Chlorophyll contents 20–33% (Chl a), 18–27% (Chl b) and 17–27% (car), 14–33% total soluble sugars, 54–170% proline content, 7–7.5% POD, 0.66–75% CAT and 32–77% APX enzyme activities compared to untreated plants. Application of FI-stabilized ZnO NPs led to an increase 21–77% in fresh shoot weight, 22–45%, fresh root weight, 3–35% shoot length, 24–154% root length, Chlorophyll contents 39–60% (Chl a), 15–79% (Chl b) and 28–82% (car), 19–52% total soluble sugars, 21–55% proline content, 14–43% POD, 34–95% CAT and 130–186% APX enzyme activities under 10, 15 and 20 ppm Cr stress respectively, compared to Cr-treated plants. However, the principal component analysis revealed that chlorophyll contents, carotenoid, CAT, APX and length were in the same group and showed a positive correlation. These data collectively suggest that phytostabilized zinc oxide NPs may be an eco-friendly solution to mitigate Cr toxicity in agricultural soils and crop plants.

Is soil an organic carbon sink or source upon erosion, transport and deposition?

AbstractSoil may be a carbon source or sink under the effect of sediment and soil organic carbon (SOC) erosion, transport and deposition. Partial SOC processes to determine whether soil subjected to water erosion is a carbon sink or source have not been clarified but are essential for increasing and predicting SOC storage. In this review, the associations between SOC mineralization, stability and stock at erosion sites, in transported sediments and at deposition sites are clarified. An overview is given for possible determination standards that define soil carbon sinks and sources. Methods for enhancing SOC sequestration and suggestions for improving SOC prediction are also presented. Particle transport is an important intermediate process that determines the material base for SOC stability and sequestration in each erosion and deposition element. When subject to water erosion, a high probability of SOC physical stabilization and a thick soil layer are essential for soil to function as a SOC sink. Sediment transport weakens SOC physical protection in eroded areas but can promote aggregation factors at deposition sites in some cases while increasing the depth of SOC in the soil. In this circumstance, a good soil environment for plant growth facilitates the occurrence of carbon sinks. A concept for critical erosion intensity is proposed to understand SOC sink determination; the concept is presented as the volume of soil erosion per square kilometre (m3 km−2) for which the maximum reduction in vegetation cover or plant biomass still permits plants to provide enough organic matter to compensate for erosion‐induced SOC loss. If erosion intensity is higher than critical erosion intensity at the erosion site, soil degradation is obvious, and soil is presented as an OC source, and vice versa. Finally, the SOC burial method for increasing the soil carbon storage amounts in regions with thick soil layers is presented to explore the SOC sequestration potential in deep soil. The factors considered for SOC prediction should vary with research scale. We hope our review will have direct implications for the modelling of SOC dynamics under water erosion on both slopes and at large scales.HighlightsChanges in soil texture and soil thickness greatly affect the amount of SOC storage at erosion and deposition sites.Selective transport of soil materials or chemical elements promotes soil aggregation.Possible standards that define soil carbon sinks and sources and suggestions for improving SOC prediction are presented.SOC burial may be a good method for increasing C storage amounts in regions with thick layers of fine soil.

No evident sex-biased herbivory but phenological and interannual variation in Fuchsia parviflora (Onagraceae) a dioecious Neotropical shrub

Herbivory may have a great impact in plants, reducing plant biomass and fitness. Herbivory patterns may differ among genders in dioecious species, affecting male and female plants differentially, and it has been suggested this is a consequence of differences in resource allocation among genders. In this study, we evaluated herbivory intensity and mechanical defenses among genders during two years and during different phenological stages in populations of Fuchsia parviflora, a dioecious shrub. We also evaluated generalist and specialist herbivore gender preferences through a cafeteria experiment. No evident herbivory patterns were detected among genders using both the proportion of leaves affected by herbivory and the proportion of leaf area removed, except during one year in two populations where females had a significantly higher proportion of leaves affected by herbivory. This pattern is similar to the specialist herbivore preference detected in the cafeteria experiment. We also found significant differences in herbivory intensity among phenological stages, populations, and years, highlighting the relevance of continuous sampling to depict the general patterns of herbivory in dioecious plants.

Drought stress alters iron accumulation in Sorghum bicolor seeds

Sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor L.) is a cultivated food crop with iron-rich seeds that thrives in semi-arid areas. Although the mechanism of iron transport has been investigated in detail at the molecular level, the effects of drought stress on its regulation remain unclear. We cultivated sorghum in a chamber without (control) and with drought stress to determine iron accumulation in seeds. The drought stress treatment significantly increased the iron content by approximately 2-fold in seeds and decreased it by 0.6-fold in leaves. The results of RNA-sequencing leaves indicated that drought stress impaired the expression of genes involved in photosynthesis. This agreed with the finding that drought stress significantly reduced plant biomass. The expression of genes encoding vacuole iron transporter and ferritin were increased under drought stress. These expression profiles were confirmed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, which indicated that expression of genes encoding the vacuole iron transporter and ferritin was significantly increased in leaves and seeds under drought stress. Furthermore, photosynthesis impaired by drought stress might trigger a disturbance in iron homeostasis. Therefore, increased vacuolar transporters and ferritin transcription might be important for safely storing excess iron. Our data suggested that maintaining iron homeostasis via vacuole iron transporters and ferritin enhances iron accumulation in seeds under drought stress. • Sorghum bicolor is drought stress-tolerant and has iron-enriched seeds • Drought stress enhanced iron accumulation in seeds • Drought stress affected genes associated with iron transport/homeostasis • Drought stress increased vacuole iron transporter and ferritin gene expression • Iron homeostasis might involve iron accumulation in drought-stressed seeds

Nitrogen addition and warming modulate the pathogen impact on plant biomass by shifting intraspecific functional traits and reducing species richness

Abstract Foliar fungal pathogens can substantially reduce plant biomass. This effect can be modulated by environment conditions, such as soil nitrogen availability and air temperature. The ongoing global changes are altering these variables and thus interact with pathogens to influence plant biomass, but experimental test of their interactions is scarce. We conducted a 4‐year field experiment in a Tibetan alpine meadow to examine the interactive effects of nitrogen addition, warming and foliar pathogens (via fungicide application) on plant biomass. We also measured plant functional traits, species richness and abundance to test the possible mechanisms underlying these interactions. Our results showed that foliar fungal pathogens reduced plant community biomass under nitrogen addition, which in turn weakened the positive nitrogen effect on community biomass. Mechanistically, nitrogen addition shifted the plant communities towards fast‐growing traits; this happened predominantly because of changes in within‐species trait values, including an increase in specific leaf area and height. These trait changes resulted in greater suppression of plant biomass by pathogens, likely because of the trade‐offs associated with the allocation of resources to plant growth and defense. Moreover, the reduction in species richness amplified the pathogen effect under nitrogen addition due to the increased density and susceptibility of the most dominant species (i.e. Kobresia capillifolia). Furthermore, warming did not interact with pathogens and nitrogen addition to influence plant community biomass, but their three‐way interaction modified the biomass of K. capillifolia. Specifically, warming enhanced the positive effect of nitrogen addition on the biomass of K. capillifolia in the fungicide, low infection plots, while it weakened the nitrogen effect in the no fungicide, high infection plots. Synthesis. Our results demonstrate how pathogens interact with nitrogen addition and warming to influence the biomass of dominant species and the whole plant community. Our study highlights the importance of considering foliar fungal pathogens when assessing ecosystem responses to multiple global change factors.

Ethylene accelerates copper oxide nanoparticle-induced toxicity at physiological, biochemical, and ultrastructural levels in rice seedlings.

The enormous use of metal-based nanoparticles (NPs) in different sectors may result in enhanced accumulation in agricultural soil, which could impose negative effects on crop productivity. Hence, strategies are needed to explore the mechanisms of copper oxide nanoparticle (CuO NP)-induced toxicity in crops. The present study aimed to investigate the involvement of ethylene in CuO NP-induced toxicity in rice seedlings. Here, our results indicate that 450mg L-1 of CuO NPs induced toxic effects in rice seedlings. Thus, it was evidenced by the reduced plant biomass accumulation, enhanced oxidative stress indicators, and cellular ultrastructural damages. More importantly, the exogenous supply of ethylene biosynthesis and signaling antagonists cobalt (Co) and silver (Ag) respectively provided tolerance and improved the defense system of rice seedlings against CuO NP toxicity. The ethylene antagonists could significantly reduce the extent of ultrastructural and stomatal damage by controlling the ROS accumulation in rice seedlings under CuO NP stress. Furthermore, Co and Ag augmented the antioxidant defense system against CuO NP-induced toxicity. Contrary to that, all oxidative damage attributes were further enhanced exogenous application of ethylene biosynthesis precursor [1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC)] in the presence of CuO NPs. In addition, ACC could increase the CuO NP-induced stomatal and ultrastructural damages by reducing the ROS-scavenging ability in rice seedlings. Taken together, these results indicate the involvement of ethylene in CuO NP-induced toxicity in rice seedlings.

Supplemental Foliar-Applied Magnesium Reverted Photosynthetic Inhibition and Improved Biomass Partitioning in Magnesium-Deficient Banana

Magnesium (Mg) is an essential macronutrient in plants and plays a critical role in numerous physiological processes. Therefore, Mg deficiency severely affects plant growth and crop production. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Mg deficiency on plant growth, biomass formation, Mg homeostasis, and photosynthesis of banana seedlings. After exhibiting deficiency symptoms, plants were sprayed with Mg to alleviate the deficiency. Mg deficiency severely reduced plant biomass and chlorophyll content. A significant reduction in maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm), the effective quantum yield of PS II (ΦPSII), photochemical fluorescence quenching (qP), and non-photochemical fluorescence quenching (NPQ) was observed. In contrast, the light compensation point was almost doubled under Mg deficiency. This indicated damage to the photosynthetic apparatus and photoinhibition under Mg-deficiency treatment. The foliar application of Mg to Mg-deficient plants significantly increased the biomass and reversed the decrease in the biomass of leaves, pseudostem, and corms. More improvement was observed in the leaf area and biomass of the upper leaves. Foliar Mg also increased the Mg concentration in all tissues and enhanced chlorophyll content and chlorophyll fluorescence in leaves. In conclusion, foliar Mg application to Mg-deficient plants efficiently restored banana plant development and might be a practical approach to correcting Mg deficiency in the field.

Time and rate of acetate foliar spray can ameliorate adverse effect of NaCl stress on strawberry

• Acetic acid as an intermediated substance can be used to improve the salt tolerance in strawberry. • Timing of use acetic acid is very important. • the best time of using acetic acid under saline condition is one week before salinity stress. • The acetic acid in 1 mM concentration produces the best an avoidance strategy and can be helpful for plant tolerance and increase in yield in salinity stress conditions. Acetyl-CoA is a central metabolic intermediate. It is widely used in macromolecule biosynthesis and energy production to support plant cellular growth. Acetate is a precursor of acetyl - CoA which is used by plant cells. Strawberry plants were subjected to 0 and 40 mM NaCl, and foliar acetic acid at the rate of (0, 1, and 2 mM) at three different times (one week before, simultaneously, and one week after starting of salinity stress application). Salinity stress reduced the strawberry leaf area (67%), plant biomass (27%), total chlorophyll content (44%), and fruit diameter (13%). However acetic acid application ameliorated the adverse effect of NaCl on strawberry plants. Salinity alone reduced plant biomass, whereas the acetate treatment (1 mM) increased it by 6% when used simultaneously with salinity and by 26% when used one week after salinity. This treatment increased proline content and soluble carbohydrate while improving antioxidant defense in fruit tissue, e.g., ascorbic acid, phenol content, and anthocyanin. These data support the idea that adjustment acetic acid application to plant can enhance salinity tolerance. The best concentration of acetic acid was 1 mM which could be optimally used either one week before or simultaneously with salinity stress.

Seed priming with ascorbic acid improves response of Medicago polymorpha L. seedlings to osmotic stress induced by NaCl and PEG solutions

This study assessed to which extent seed priming with ascorbic acid (0.2 mM) may improve Medicago polymorpha L. performance under water shortage induced by irrigation with either 50 mM NaCl or 100 g/L polyethylene glycol (PEG). Parameters related to plant morphology, CO2/H2O leaf gas exchanges, osmotic adjustment, pigment content, and proline accumulation were specifically determined. Both NaCl and PEG solutions induced osmotic stress and reduced plant biomass (−30% and −40%, respectively), number of leaves and ramifications, stem length, net CO2 assimilation (−31% and 63%, respectively), and leaf water content. However, both treatments and especially PEG led to increased root/shoot ratios and leaf proline content. Interestingly, seed priming using ascorbic acid improved CO2/H2O gas exchange and plant biomass production (+66%, +100%, and +92% in control, NaCl-, and PEG-treated plants, respectively). It also improved the water relations as reflected by the decrease of leaf osmotic potential and higher leaf proline accumulation (+67% and +120% in PEG- and NaCl-treated plants, respectively) and water content (especially under PEG treatment). Besides, seed priming with ascorbic acid increased leaf carotenoid and chlorophyll contents (+65 and +45%, respectively, for chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b), thereby contributing to the better photosynthetic activity, and hence plant performance under salinity. We conclude that seed priming with ascorbic acid is an easy, cost-effective and promising approach to mitigate the impact of osmotic stresses like drought and salinity, by especially improving plant water relations and photosynthetic activity.

Silicon improves the effect of phosphate-solubilizing bacterium and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus on phosphorus concentration of salinity-stressed alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

Under salinity stress, the availability of soil nutrients to plants is reduced, leading to disruption of nutrition and the balance of plant nutrients, including phosphorus (P). The use of phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms (PSM) and silicon (Si) in alleviating salinity stress and improving the uptake of P by plants has become a global solution. However, there is limited information on the effect of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the combination with Si on improving the absorption of P by plants including legumes under salinity stress. In this study, the plant growth-promoting potential of an effective phosphate-solubilizing bacterial strain (R115), Microbacterium shaanxiense, and an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, Claroideoglomus etunicatum, alone or in the combination with Si to alleviate salinity stress in alfalfa inoculated with its rhizobial symbiosis, Ensifer meliloti N44, and improve the absorption of P by this plant was investigated by a pot-experiment in a completely randomized design with factorial arrangement in three repetitions. Experimental treatments included: Si factor at two levels of 0 and 4 mM Si from potassium silicate source, bacterial strain R115 factor at two levels of B0 (control), and strain R115 (B1), mycorrhizal fungus factor at two levels of F0 (control) and mycorrhizal fungus (F1), and salinity (saline water) factor at three levels of 0, 5, and 15 dS m−1. Salinity stress reduced plant biomass, the content of chlorophyll, the concentration of N, P and K of plant and increased the concentration of Na in shoot tissue and the activity of antioxidant enzymes (catalase and superoxide dismutase) in alfalfa plant. However, the use of PSM (M. shaanxiense R115 and C. etunicatum) and Si improved the morphological and physiological characteristics of the plant, reduced the plant Na concentration, and increased the concentration of N, P, and K of alfalfa plants. The highest improvement in plant growth indices (shoot P concentration) was recorded in plants inoculated with PSM in the presence of Si. The results of this study showed that Si fertilization can be suggested as a sustainable strategy for improving the plant growth promoting effects of PSM on the growth of alfalfa (e.g., increased shoot P concentration) and encouraging ecological adaptability of this plant under saline water irrigation.

The involvement of hydrogen sulphide in melatonin-induced tolerance to arsenic toxicity in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) plants by regulating sequestration and subcellular distribution of arsenic, and antioxidant defense system

Melatonin (MT) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S) are recognised as vital biomolecules actively taking part in plant defence systems as free radical scavengers and antioxidants against a myriad of biotic and abiotic stressors. However, it has been yet unknown in plants subjected to arsenic (As) toxicity whether or not H2S interacts with MT to regulate endogenous antioxidant defence system. Prior to beginning As stress (As–S) treatments, MT (0.10 mM) was applied externally to plants daily for three days. AsS was then started for two weeks with As(V) (0.1 mM as Na2HAsO4·7H2O). The treatment of As reduced plant biomass (24.4%) and chlorophyll a (51.7%), chlorophyll b (25.9%), while it increased subcellular As in roots and leaves, levels of glutathione (GSH), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA), methylglyoxal (MG), H2S and phytochelatins (PCs) in pepper plants. In As-stressed pepper plants, the application of MT increased plant biomass (16.3%), chlorophyll a (52.7%), chlorophyll b (28.2%), antioxidant enzymes’ activities, and H2S accumulation, while it lowered the concentrations of MDA and H2O2. In As-treated plants, GSH and phytochelatins (PCs) were increased by MT by regulating As sequestration to make it harmless. The addition of MT increased As accumulation in the vacuoles of roots and caused the soluble fraction of As in vacuoles to become less toxic to vital organelles. MT-induced tolerance to As stress was further enhanced using NaHS, a source of H2S. Hypotaurine (0.1 mM HT), a H2S scavenger, was applied to the control and As-stressed plants together with MT and MT + NaHS to determine whether H2S was implicated in MT-induced increased As–S tolerance. By reducing H2S generation in pepper plants, HT counteracted the beneficial effects of MT, whereas the addition of NaHS to MT + HT restored the negative effects of HT, proving that H2S is necessary for the pepper plants As-stress tolerance caused by MT.

Plant-derived saponin enhances biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in the rhizosphere of native wild plants

Plant-derived saponins are bioactive surfactant compounds that can solubilize organic pollutants in environmental matrices, thereby facilitating pollutant remediation. Externally applied saponin has potential to enhance total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) biodegradation in the root zone (rhizosphere) of wild plants, but the associated mechanisms are not well understood. For the first time, this study evaluated a triterpenoid saponin (from red ash leaves, Alphitonia excelsa) in comparison to a synthetic surfactant (Triton X-100) for their effects on plant growth and biodegradation of TPH in the rhizosphere of two native wild species (a grass, Chloris truncata, and a shrub, Hakea prostrata). The addition of Triton X-100 at the highest level (1000 mg/kg) in the polluted soil significantly hindered the plant growth (reduced plant biomass and photosynthesis) and associated rhizosphere microbial activity in both the studied plants. Therefore, TPH removal in the rhizosphere of both plant species treated with the synthetic surfactant was not enhanced (at the lower level, 500 mg/kg soil) and even slightly decreased (at the highest level) compared to that in the surfactant-free (control) treatment. By contrast, TPH removal was significantly increased with saponin application (up to 60% in C. truncata at 1000 mg/kg due to enhanced plant growth and associated rhizosphere microbial activity). No significant difference was observed between the two saponin application levels. Dehydrogenase activity positively correlated with TPH removal (p < 0.001) and thus this parameter could be used as an indicator to predict the rhizoremediation efficiency. This work indicates that saponin-amended rhizoremediation could be an environmentally friendly and effective biological approach to remediate TPH-polluted soils. It was clear that the enhanced plant growth and rhizosphere microbial activity played a crucial role in TPH rhizoremediation efficiency. The saponin-induced molecular processes that promoted plant growth and soil microbial activity in the rhizosphere warrant further studies.

Influence of biochar and microorganism co-application on stabilization of cadmium (Cd) and improved maize growth in Cd-contaminated soil.

Cadmium (Cd) is one the leading environmental contaminants. The Cd toxicity and its potential stabilization strategies have been investigated in the recent years. However, the combined effects of biochar and microorganisms on the adsorption of Cd and maize plant physiology, still remained unclear. Therefore, this experiment was conducted to evaluate the combined effects of biochar (BC) pyrolyzed from (maize-straw, cow-manure, and poultry-manure, and microorganisms [Trichoderma harzianum (fungus) and Bacillus subtilis (bacteria)], on plant nutrient uptake under various Cd-stress levels (0, 10, and 30 ppm). The highest level of Cd stress (30 ppm) caused the highest reduction in maize plant biomass, intercellular CO2, transpiration rate, water use efficiency, stomatal conductance, and photosynthesis rate as compared to control Cd0 (0 ppm). The sole application of BC and microorganisms significantly improved plant growth, intercellular CO2, transpiration rate, water use efficiency, stomatal conductance, and photosynthesis rate and caused a significant reduction in root and shoot Cd. However, the co-application of BC and microorganisms was more effective than the sole applications. In this regard, the highest improvement in plant growth and carbon assimilation, and highest reduction in root and shoot Cd was recorded from co-application of cow-manure and combined inoculation of Trichoderma harzianum (fungus) + Bacillus subtilis (bacteria) under Cd stress. However, due to the aging factor and biochar leaching alkalinity, the effectiveness of biochar in removing Cd may diminish over time, necessitating long-term experiments to improve understanding of biochar and microbial efficiency for specific bioremediation aims.

Micro Electric Shocks Control Broadleaved and Grass Weeds

A search for energy efficient, non-herbicide weed control methods led to development of a novel electrical weeding technology. This study focuses on weed control efficiency and energy as elements of a system that would include machine vision and robotics to control escape weeds in field crops. Two pulse generation systems, one single and one multiple, were developed and evaluated at different delivered voltages and energies. Greenhouse trials using specially designed and built application and recording technology showed the application of precisely applied micro-shocks with precisely controlled direct current (DC) voltage, pulse number, pulse length and period (hereafter PMS) can kill small Lolium multiflorum Lam., Chenopodium album L., Amaranthus powellii S. Wats. and Solanum nigrum L. plants with minimal energy. Plants took as much as two weeks to die. Increasing applied energy increased effectiveness as determined by plant biomass reduction and death rate. Grasses appear difficult to control once tillering has commenced, and high voltages may destroy leaf blades but not growing points. Broadleaved plants took several days to show evidence of chlorosis which preceded senescence and death. Our results showed that 5 J is sufficient energy to bring about death or severe growth limitation in many seedlings up to 15 cm height. This is as little as 1% of the energy of, and more effective than, ultra-low energy treatments reported in other recent research. To control five herbicide resistant weeds m−2, the required energy would be about 0.25 MJ ha−1 plus transport and actuation energy for weed destruction, as compared to an optimum target of about 20–40 MJ ha−1 including transport suggested in the literature. PMS can effectively control broadleaved weed seedlings and small non-tillering grasses at a fraction of the energy required by commercially available systems. This indicates PMS has potential as a viable technology for hand-held electric weeders or as part of a site-specific robotic weeding system.

Integrated effects of plastic film residues on cotton growth and field carbon sequestration under drip irrigation in arid oasis regions

Mulched drip irrigation is the primary irrigation technology for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivation in arid and semi-arid regions. In recent years, the increasing amount of residual plastic film (RPF) in mulched cotton fields has posed a more significant threat to soil quality and the sustainability of agricultural production. However, the relationship between different soil RPF amounts and cotton growth, yield, and carbon balance in cotton fields is unclear. In this study, six RPF amounts, namely RPF0 (0 kg ha–1), RPF5 (146.18 kg ha–1), RPF10 (228.03 kg ha–1), RPF15 (309.88 kg ha–1), RPF20 (391.73 kg ha–1), and RPF25 (473.58 kg ha–1), were set in a two-year (2020–2021) field experiment to investigate their effects on cotton growth, yield, field CO2 emissions, and carbon sequestration. Results showed that cotton growth indicators (Plant height, stem diameter, leaf area index, biomass of each organ) at different growth stages and yield indicators (Single boll weight, per plant bolls number, seed cotton yield) were significantly negatively correlated (p < 0.05) with the soil RPF amount. The RPF25 treatment showed yield decreases of up to 33.4% and 43.2% in these two years, respectively, compared with the RPF0 treatment. Surprisingly, the presence of RPF in soil reduced the rate and cumulative CO2 emissions from cotton fields during the growth and fallow periods, but carbon sequestration in cotton fields decreased significantly with increasing RPF amounts (15.05%~60.98% in 2020 and 17.38~76.81% in 2021). RPF inhibited cotton root growth, reducing plant biomass accumulation, decreasing seed cotton yield, and weakening cotton fields' carbon sink. When the RPF amount in the soil was less than or equal to 228.03 kg ha–1, cotton economic benefits and field carbon storage were not unduly weakened. The second-year indicators of cotton fields with the RPF were significantly lower than the first year, and the permanent residue of soil RPF also created a more hostile crop growing environment. We concluded that the RPF amount in fields should be reduced as soon as possible and that more environmentally friendly and carbon-reducing mulching materials should be used instead of plastic film.

Greater chemical signaling in root exudates enhances soil mutualistic associations in invasive plants compared to natives.

Invasive plants can change soil properties resulting in improved growth. Although invaders are known to alter soil chemistry, it remains unclear if chemicals secreted by roots facilitate invasive plant-soil mutualisms. With up to 19 confamilial pairs of invasive and native plants, and most of which were congeners, we explored the root exudate-induced changes in plant-arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal mutualisms. We found that, relative to natives, invaders had greater AM colonization, greater biomass and their root exudates contained higher concentrations of two common chemical signals - quercetin and strigolactones - which are known to stimulate AM fungal growth and root colonization. An exudate exchange experiment showed that root exudates from invaders increased AM colonization more than exudates from natives. However, application of activated carbon led to greater reduction in AM colonization and plant biomass for invaders than natives, suggesting stronger effects of chemical signals in root exudates from invaders. We show that nonnative plants promote interactions with soil mutualists via enhancing root exudate chemicals, which could have important implications for invasion success.

Effects of Nitrogen Fertilization on Physiological Response of Maize to Soil Salinity

Soil salinization is a global problem that causes huge losses in agricultural production. Salt can interfere with crop absorption and metabolism of nutrients and water, affect plant physiological responses and reduce plant biomass. Maize, a very important economic crop, can adapt to a certain degree of saline-alkali soil. It is essential to understand the physiological indexes of response to soil salinity concentrations and explore the effects of different nitrogen fertilizer treatments on maize growth. In this study, three soil salinity gradients (S1, S2 and S3 were with soil salt concentration, Ssc, of 0, 0.1% and 0.25%, respectively) and two nitrogen application rates (N0 and N1 were without and with nitrogen applied (13.2 g per pot), respectively) were set up. Plant growth and photosynthetic parameters were measured. Whether nitrogen was applied or not, with the increase in Ssc, leaf area, plant height, stem diameter, SPAD, leaf water potential, RuBP carboxylase, and PEP carboxylase activities, photosynthetic rate (A), stomatal conductance (gs), the maximum stomatal conductance (gsmax), and the stomatal morphological parameters such as stomatal width and maximum stomatal area (amax), all showed a downward trend. Under the S1 and S2 treatments, compared with the N0, the N1 treatment alleviated the stress effect of the Ssc on these indicators. However, under S3 treatment, the stress degrees of leaf water potential, gs, gsmax and amax, were aggravated after nitrogen application. This indicated that under the high Ssc of S3, the interaction between nitrogen application and soil salinity should be considered. WUEin increased with the increase in Ssc. Moreover, under N1 treatments, the increase in WUEin with Ssc was greater than that with N0. With the increase in Ssc, whether nitrogen was applied or not, the dry weight of maize declined by 44.2% and 73.0%, respectively, for the S2 and S3 treatments. Under S2 treatment, N1 significantly improved the dry matter mass of maize compared with the N0 treatment. The results showed that soil salt stress can inhibit crop growth, physiology and dry matter accumulation, and that nitrogen application can alleviate this within a specific salinity range. Such results indicate that in saline-alkali areas, whether nitrogen fertilizer is applied or not should depend on the level of Ssc to improve plant growth.

Ameliorative effects of Sargassum stolonifolium amendment on physiological and biochemical parameters in Brassica chinensis L. under cadmium contaminated soil

This research was carried out to examine the effects of Sargassum stolonifolium on reducing cadmium in Brassica chinensis L. tissue, its influential roles on physiological parameters and antioxidant mechanism in B. chinensis exposed to cadmium stress. Different levels of Cd (50 mg and 100 mg) with and without S. stolonifolium (25g, 50g and 100g) under five replications were explored in this study. Biomass, photosynthetic pigment, relative water content (RWC), malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), total antioxidant activity (TAA), non-protein thiol (NPT), protein thiol (PT), protein bound thiol, glutathione (GSH), phytochelatins, ascorbate peroxidase (APX), Catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and guaiacol peroxidase (POD) were determined. The results revealed that Cd stress significantly (P &lt; 0.05) reduced plant biomass and physiological attributes, and accumulated higher Cd concentrations in plant tissues with the increasing rate of Cd concentration in the soil. However, incorporation of S. stolonifolium at 100 g rate in 50 mg Cd (T4) spiked soil increased the FW (40.6%) and DW (72.2%) relative to the respective treatment without S. stolonifolium. Similarly, Cd accumulation in roots, stem and leaves was decreased by 90.25%, 82.93% and 84.6% respectively compared to T1 (50 mg Cd) and thereby reducing leaf MDA and H2O2 contents by 40.1% and 68.8%, respectively, at 50 mg Cd kg−1 spiked soil relative to T1. An increase was noticed in the chlorophyll a, b, carotenoid, SPAD and RWC with a value of 114.6%, 20.7%, 73.7%, 44.8%, and 6.3%, respectively, over the control (T0). DPPH scavenging activity and TAA increased 119.8 and 81.5% percent respectively over the T0. Concentration increment of NPT, TT, GSH and PCs by 66.7%, 49.1%, 60.1%, 96.1% and 3.4% respectively, was noticed in T4 compared to T0. Antioxidant enzymes activities increased by APX (92.8%), CAT (73.1%), SOD (20.9%) and POD (88.9%) for T4 compared to the control. S. stolonifolium has the potential to improve growth and increase the defensive system of B. chinensis and ameliorate cadmium phytotoxicity as well as immobilization.