Hordeum Marinum Research Articles

Screening for plants and rhizospheral fungi with bioremediation potency of petroleum-polluted soils in a Tehran oil refinery area

The contamination of soils by toxic and/or hazardous organic pollutants, especially with crude oil, is a widespread problem. This study was conducted in a petroleum-contaminated area in a Tehran oil refinery to find petroleum-resistant plants and their rhizospheral fungal strains with bioremediation potency. The plants growing in the oil-polluted area were collected and determined taxonomically. Root samples of the plant species were collected from a polluted area and fungal strains determined by laboratory methods and taxonomical keys. The growth ability of the isolated fungal strains was studied in media containing 1%–15% crude oil. Results showed that seven plant species were of the highest density in the contaminated area: Alhagi persarum, Hordeum marinum, Peganum harmala, Phragmites australis, Prosopis farcta, Salsola kali, and Senecio glaucus. The root-associated fungi were isolated and showed that the fungal variation in the oil-polluted area is higher than that in a non-polluted area. The growth assay of isolated fungal strains showed that all studied fungal strains were able to form colonies at the applied concentrations but Alternaria sp. and Rhizopus sp. were the most resistant ones. Some plants were resistant to oil pollution, which also had positive effects on the fungal strains.

Effects of organic acids on the formation of the barrier to radial oxygen loss in roots of Hordeum marinum.

A barrier to radial O2 loss (ROL) is an adaptive trait of many wetland plants, yet the signal(s) for barrier induction remain uncertain. We assessed the effects of monocarboxylic acids produced in waterlogged soils (acetic, propionic, N-butyric and caproic acids) on barrier formation in adventitious roots of the waterlogging tolerant Hordeum marinum Huds. These acids were applied in nutrient solution either individually (at 0.4mM) or as a mixture ('cocktail') at various total concentrations (0.1, 0.4 and 2mM) at pH 6. The barrier to ROL was formed in basal zones of roots exposed to the cocktail at 0.4mM, but not at 0.1mM. Individually, only N-butyric and caproic acids invoked a 'tight' barrier in subapical positions of the roots. These organic acids accelerated deposition of suberin in the hypodermis/exodermis, but did not affect overall root porosity (% gas space). The organic acids also reduced root extension rate and tissue K+; effects were more pronounced at higher concentrations of the cocktail and as the molecular weight of the organic acid increased. Moreover, the cocktail at 2mM and caproic acid at 0.4mM alone induced development of intercellular occlusions, suggesting phytotoxin injury. In summary, even relatively low concentrations of organic acids can promote barrier formation in roots, and the potential toxicity of these compounds was demonstrated by declines in root growth and tissue K+ in the wetland species H. marinum.

Taxonomic revision of genus Hordeum L. (Gramineae) in Egypt

This study was conducted to revise the taxonomic identity and clarify inter- and intra-specific relationships among the studied wild and cultivated Hordeum taxa in Egypt. The studied taxa includedHordeum marinum subsp. gussoneanum, H. marinum subsp. marinum, H. Hordeum leporinum,Hordeum glaucum, Hordeum spontaneum and Hordeum vulgare. The results revealed that unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) dendrogram showed a considerable degree of dissimilarity among the studied Hordeum taxa at 1.50 dissimilarity distance. It divided the studied taxa into four groups at 1.33. Group 1 included H. marinum subsp. gussoneanum and H. marinum subsp.marinum. Group 2 included H. leporinum. Group 3 included H. glaucum. Group 4 included H.spontaneum and H. vulgare which is related to the other groups (1, 2, and 3). Moreover, by using UPGMA dendrogram, H. leporinum and H. glaucum are located in transitional position between H. marinum and both of H. vulgare and H. spontaneum forming a transitional step between the taxa of Group 1 and 4. This work provided a taxonomic key and separated the two subspecies of H. murinuminto different species namely H. glaucum and H. leporinum. Moreover, the morphological similarities among Hordeum taxa have been proved. Key words: Taxonomy, Hordeum marinum, Hordeum leporinum, Hordeum glaucum, Hordeum spontaneum, Hordeum vulgare, unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA)dendrogram, Egypt.

Phylogenetic analysis in some Hordeum species (Triticeae; Poaceae) based on two single-copy nuclear genes encoding acetyl-CoA carboxylase

Abstract We investigate the phylogenetic relationship, and evolutionary history of 18 diploid and polyploid Hordeum species including 22 taxa based on two single-copy nuclear ACC1 and ACC2 genes using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference. The results of molecular phylogenetic analysis demonstrated genetic relationships among taxa and origin of polyploids. Our phylogenetic analyses revealed a clear alloploid origin of Hordeum capense , with Eurasian Hordeum marinum subsp. gussoneanum as the Xa genome donor and diploid Asian Hordeum roshevitzii as the H genome donor. The formation of hexaploid Hordeum lechleri likely involves hybridization between tetraploid Hordeum brachyantherum subsp. brachyantherum and a diploid possessing the I genome. The Acc1 and Acc2 gene data analyses suggested that Siberian Hordeum bogdanii might have be the common ancestor of the diploid New World Hordeum species. Perennial diploid South American species, Hordeum comosum was the first-diverging group within the clade of diploid American species in the analyses.

The waterlogging/salinity interaction in higher plants revisited - focusing on the hypoxia-induced disturbance to K+ homeostasis.

Salinity and waterlogging (root-zone hypoxia) are abiotic stresses that often occur together on saltland. It is widely recognised that these two factors interact to increase Na+ and/or Cl- concentrations in shoots, which can have adverse effects on plant growth and survival. This review expands on this understanding, providing evidence that the adverse effects of the interaction are also associated with a disturbance to plant K+ homeostasis. This conclusion is based on a comparative analysis of changes in ion concentrations and growth reported in the literature between species (glycophytes vs halophytes) and within a single species (Hordeum marinum L.). Comparisons between species show that hypoxia under saline conditions causes simultaneous increases in Na+ and Cl- concentrations and decreases in K+ concentrations in shoots and that these changes can all be related to changes in shoot dry mass. Comparisons between accessions of a single species (Hordeum maritima L.) strengthen the argument, with increases in Na+ and decreases in K+ being related to decreases in shoot relative growth rate.

Improvement of salt and waterlogging tolerance in wheat: comparative physiology of Hordeum marinum-Triticum aestivum amphiploids with their H. marinum and wheat parents.

Hordeum marinum Huds. is a waterlogging-tolerant halophyte that has been hybridised with bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to produce an amphiploid containing both genomes. This study tested the hypothesis that traits associated with waterlogging and salinity tolerances would be expressed in H. marinum-wheat amphiploids. Four H. marinum accessions were used as parents to produce amphiploids with Chinese Spring wheat, and their responses to hypoxic and 200mM NaCl were evaluated. Relative growth rate (RGR) in the hypoxic-saline treatment was better maintained in the amphiploids (58-71% of controls) than in wheat (56% of control), but the amphiploids were more affected than H. marinum (68-97% of controls). In hypoxic-saline conditions, leaf Na+ concentrations in the amphiploids were lower than in wheat (30-41% lower) but were 39-47% higher than in the H. marinum parents. A strong barrier to radial oxygen loss formed in basal root zones under hypoxic conditions in two H. marinum accessions; this barrier was moderate in the amphiploids, absent in wheat, and was weaker for the hypoxic-saline treatment. Porosity of adventitious roots increased with the hypoxic treatments; values were 24-38% in H. marinum, 16-27% in the amphiploids and 16% in wheat. Overall, the amphiploids showed greater salt and waterlogging tolerances than wheat, demonstrating the expression of relevant traits from H. marinum in the amphiploids.

Connection between rod bivalents and incomplete meiotic association at NORs in Hordeum marinum Huds.

The hypothesis of a connection between rod bivalent formation and incomplete meiotic association at NORs of SAT-chromosomes of H. marinum is supported. PMCs of H. marinum ssp. gussoneanum (2x), two diploid ssp. marinum × ssp. gussoneanum (2x) hybrids and two ssp. gussoneanum (4x) × Secale cereale hybrids at metaphase I (M-I) were analyzed by in situ hybridization. The probe pTa71 labelled rDNA sites at NORs of a single pair of homologous or near-homologous SAT-chromosomes of H. marinum in each material. In the three diploids, M-I was regular with ring bivalents and one or a few rods (av.13.52 bound arms cell(-1)). More rod bivalents than the expected one out of seven, i.e. 30, 67 and 89% included rDNA-carrying chromosomes. Corresponding bound short arm frequencies were 0.89, 0.72 and 0.52, while long arms and arms of other chromosomes presented complete or near- complete association. The two heterogenomic hybrids had a less regular M-I (av. 8.04 bound arms cell(-1)) including 20% rDNA-carrying rods with bound arm frequencies of 0.29 in short and 0.87 in long arms. Positions of chromosome associations were established in all 150 rDNA-carrying bivalents. In 77 bivalents with short arm associations, 4% of these occurred proximally to, none at, and 96% distally to rDNA sites, i.e. in satellites. In 143 bivalents with long arm associations, 83% occurred at interstitial and 17% at terminal positions. The observations combine increased frequency of rDNA-carrying rods with decreased frequency of association at NOR regions of SAT-chromosomes. The basis for the relationship is discussed.

Assessment of genetic variation among fivehordeumspecies from Iran

In this study, simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used to investigate the genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships among 74 barley accessions; 15 landraces (Hordeum vulgare) and 59 wild accessions (twenty-one Hordeum spontaneum, ten Hordeum bulbosum, thirteen Hordeum murinum and fifteen Hordeum marinum). A total of 66 alleles were detected at 12 SSR loci, with an average of 5.5 alleles per locus in the entire samples. The average number of alleles (4.2) per locus was higher in H. vulgare and H. spontaneum, reflecting more genetic diversity within these two species compared with the other species. All index values of genetic diversity revealed that there was higher genetic diversity within H. vulgare landraces than within the wild species, indicating that cultivation unlikely to have caused a loss of genetic diversity in cultivated barley compared with its wild relatives. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that 31% of the total observed variation was accounted for among species....

Long-term dynamics of biotic and abiotic resistance to exotic species invasion in restored vernal pool plant communities

Invasion of native ecosystems by exotic species can seriously threaten native biodiversity, alter ecosystem function, and inhibit conservation. Moreover, restoration of native plant communities is often impeded by competition from exotic species. Exotic species invasion may be limited by unfavorable abiotic conditions and by competition with native species, but the relative importance of biotic and abiotic factors remains controversial and may vary during the invasion process. We used a long-term experiment involving restored vernal pool plant communities to characterize the temporal dynamics of exotic species invasion, and to evaluate the relative support for biotic and abiotic factors affecting invasion resistance. Experimental pools (n=256) were divided among controls and several seeding treatments. In most treatments, native vernal pool species were initially more abundant than exotic species, and pools that initially received more native seeds exhibited lower frequencies of exotic species over time. However, even densely seeded pools were eventually dominated by exotic species, following extreme climatic events that reduced both native and exotic plant densities across the study site. By the sixth year of the experiment, most pools supported more exotics than native vernal pool species, regardless of seeding treatment or pool depth. Although deeper pools were less invaded by exotic species, two exotics (Hordeum marinum and Lolium multiflorum) were able to colonize deeper pools as soon as the cover of native species was reduced by climatic extremes. Based on an information-theoretic analysis, the best model of invasion resistance included a nonlinear effect of seeding treatment and both linear and nonlinear effects of pool depth. Pool depth received more support as a predictor of invasion resistance, but seeding intensity was also strongly supported in multivariate models of invasion, and was the best predictor of resistance to invasion by H. marinum and L. multilorum. We conclude that extreme climatic events can facilitate exotic species invasions by both reducing abiotic constraints and weakening biotic resistance to invasion.

Hordeum marinum-wheat amphiploids maintain higher leaf K+:Na+ and suffer less leaf injury than wheat parents in saline conditions

Wheat is only moderately tolerant of salinity and is sensitive to waterlogging. Salt and waterlogging tolerance in wheat might be improved by wide hybridization with more stress tolerant wild relatives in the Triticeae. Wide hybridization between the waterlogging-tolerant halophyte Hordeum marinum and nine wheat cultivars (Triticum spp.) produced amphiploids containing all chromosomes from H. marinum and the wheat parent. The amphiploids had lower Na+, higher K+, and a much higher K+:Na+ ratio in leaves than the respective wheat parent, and several also had less leaf injury, when grown in saline conditions. Growth responses of two amphiploids (one with a bread wheat cv. Westonia and one with a durum wheat cv. Tamaroi) were studied in a range of salinity and waterlogging treatments over 25 d. Growth of the H90-Tamaroi amphiploid was greater than Tamaroi at 100–300 mM NaCl, whereas the H90-Westonia amphiploid was not different from Westonia, although both amphiploids had higher leaf K+:Na+ ratios. Under a combination of waterlogging and salinity, both amphiploids were superior to the wheat parents. This study demonstrates the potential of genes from H. marinum to improve the salt and waterlogging tolerance of wheat.

Transfer of the barrier to radial oxygen loss in roots of Hordeum marinum to wheat (Triticum aestivum): evaluation of four H. marinum–wheat amphiploids

• Wide hybridization of waterlogging-tolerant Hordeum marinum with wheat (Triticum aestivum) to produce an amphiploid might be one approach to improve waterlogging tolerance in wheat. • Growth, root aerenchyma and porosity, and radial oxygen loss (ROL) along roots were measured in four H. marinum-wheat amphiploids and their parents (four accessions of H. marinum and Chinese Spring wheat) in aerated or stagnant nutrient solution. A soil experiment was also conducted. • Hordeum marinum maintained shoot dry mass in stagnant nutrient solution, whereas the growth of wheat was markedly reduced (40% of aerated control). Two of the four amphiploids were more tolerant than wheat (shoot dry masses of 59-72% of aerated controls). The porosity of adventitious roots when in stagnant solution was higher in H. marinum (19-25%) and the four amphiploids (20-24%) than in wheat (16%). In stagnant solution, adventitious roots of H. marinum formed a strong ROL barrier in basal zones, whereas, in wheat, the barrier was weak. Two amphiploids formed a strong ROL barrier and two formed a moderate barrier when in stagnant solution. • This study demonstrates the transfer of higher root porosity and a barrier to ROL from H. marinum to wheat through wide hybridization and the production of H. marinum-wheat amphiploids.

Interspecific Hybrids of Hordeum marinum ssp. marinum × H. bulbosum Are Mitotically Stable and Reveal No Gross Alterations in Chromatin Properties

Interspecific hybrids between the related wild barley species Hordeum marinum and H. bulbosum were generated and tested regarding their chromosomal stability and chromatin properties. Unlike in H. vulgare × H. bulbosum hybrid embryos, there was no effect of temperature on uniparental chromosome elimination or retention during hybrid seed development and 7 chromosomes from each parent were detected according to genomic in situ hybridization analyses. The centromere-specific histone H3 gene (CENH3) of both parental genomes is active in hybrid plants. Indirect immunostaining of flow-sorted 2C nuclei indicated that no major reorganization of histone H3 methylation (K4, K9 and K27), H3K9 acetylation and histone H2A ubiquitination marks or location of active RNA polymerase II sites occurred after interspecific hybridization.

The role of antioxidant defense systems at differential salt tolerance of Hordeum marinum Huds. (sea barleygrass) and Hordeum vulgare L. (cultivated barley)

Barley ( Hordeum vulgare), one of the world's most extensively cultivated crops, is regarded as salt tolerant compared with other Triticeae members. There are also differences in salt tolerance between barley species. Hordeum marinum (sea barleygrass) inhabiting salt marshes is regarded as being markedly more salt tolerant than H. vulgare (cultivated barley). Moreover, it has been considered one of the most important wild species of barley in terms of having a source of genes for improvement of salt tolerance of wheat. The role of osmoregulation and ion homeostasis on salt tolerance of H. marinum has already been reported. However, the role of antioxidant defense system on salt tolerance of H. marinum has not been addressed yet. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the changes in the lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzyme activities [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR)] and isoenzymatic profiles of some antioxidant enzymes (SOD, APX, GR) in H. marinum and H. vulgare cv. Tokak 157/37, comparatively. H. marinum and H. vulgare were subjected to 0, 150 and 300 mM NaCl stress for 7 days. Shoot FW (fresh weight) and DW (dry weight) of both species were decreased at 300 mM NaCl, being more pronounced in H. vulgare. Shoot RGR (relative growth rate) of H. vulgare was more sensitive to NaCl than H. marinum. Similarly, stomatal conductance ( g s) was also reduced in both species by salt treatment, but it was more pronounced in H. vulgare. Salt treatment had no effects on chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) in both species. Peroxidation of lipid membranes showed no change in H. marinum under salt stress while it increased by 60% in H. vulgare at 300 mM NaCl. At 150 mM NaCl, the activities of all antioxidant enzymes (except SOD) increased in both species. However, the activities of some antioxidant enzymes and their isoenzymes in H. vulgare either remained unchanged (CAT, POX and APX) or even decreased (SOD, GR) at 300 mM NaCl. Nevertheless, the activities of all antioxidant enzymes of H. marinum increased significantly at 300 mM NaCl. Moreover, while new isoenzymes (APX5, GR5) were identified in H. marinum, intensities of some isoenzymes (APX1, 2, 6, 7 and GR1, 3, 6, 7) increased at 300 mM NaCl. These findings possibly suggest that H. marinum has a better protection mechanism against salt-induced oxidative damage than H. vulgare, by inducing activity of antioxidant enzymes and their isoenzymes.

Submergence tolerance in Hordeum marinum: dissolved CO2 determines underwater photosynthesis and growth

Floodwaters differ markedly in dissolved CO2, yet the effects of CO2 on submergence responses of terrestrial plants have rarely been examined. The influence of dissolved CO2 on underwater photosynthesis and growth was evaluated for three accessions of the wetland plant Hordeum marinum Huds. All three accessions tolerated complete submergence, but only when in CO2 enriched floodwater. Plants submerged for 7 days in water at air equilibrium (18 µM CO2) suffered loss of biomass, whereas those with 200 µM CO2 continued to grow. Higher underwater net photosynthesis at 200 µM CO2 increased by 2.7- to 3.2-fold sugar concentrations in roots of submerged plants, compared with at air equilibrium CO2. Leaf gas films enhancing gas exchange with floodwater, lack of a shoot elongation response conserving tissue sugars and high tissue porosity (24–31% in roots) facilitating internal O2 movement, would all contribute to submergence tolerance in H. marinum. The present study demonstrates that dissolved CO2 levels can determine submergence tolerance of terrestrial plants. So, submergence experiments should be conducted with defined CO2 concentrations and enrichment might be needed to simulate natural environments and, thus, provide relevant plant responses.

Features of alloplasmic wheat-barley substitution and addition lines (Hordeum marinum subsp. gussoneanum)-Triticum aestivum

Two alloplasmic wheat-barley substitution lines were studied: a line replaced at three pairs of chromosomes 1Hmr((IB), 5Hmar(5D), and 7Hmar(7D), and the disomic-substituted line 7Hma(7D). The lines were constructed on the basis of individual plants from BCIF8- and BC2F6 progeny of barley-wheat hybrids (H. marinum subsp. gussoneanum Hudson (=H. geniculatum All.) (2n = 28) x T. aestivum L.) (2n = 42) (Pyrotrix 28), respectively. Moreover, the alloplasmic wheat-barley ditelosomic addition line 7HLma' isolated among plants from the BC1F6 progeny of a barley-wheat amphiploid was studied, which in this work corresponds to BC2F10 and BC2F11 progeny. It was ascertained that when grown in the field, these alloplasmic lines manifest stable self-fertility. Plants of the given lines are characterized by low height, shortened ears, the fewer number of stems and ears, and of spikelets in the ear, by decreased grain productivity and weight of 1000 grains, in comparison with the common wheat cultivar Pyrotrix 28. The inhibition of trait expression in alloplasmic wheat-barley substitution and addition lines may be connected not only with the influence of wild barley chromosomes functioning in the genotypic environment of common wheat, but also with the effect of the barley cytoplasm. The alloplasmic line with substitution of chromosomes 1Hmar(1B), 5Hmar(5D), and 7Hmar(7D) or the alloplasmic line 7HLmar with ditelosomic addition have, in comparison with the common wheat cultivar Pyrotrix 28, an increased grain protein content, which is explained by the effect of wild barley H. marinum subsp. gussoneanum chromosomes.

Genome size in natural and synthetic autopolyploids and in a natural segmental allopolyploid of several Triticeae species

Nuclear DNA amount (1C) was determined by flow cytometry in the autotetraploid cytotype of Hordeum bulbosum, in the cytologically diploidized autotetraploid cytotypes of Elymus elongatus, Hordeum murinum subsp. murinum and Hordeum murinum subsp. leporinum, in Hordeum marinum subsp. gussoneanum, in their progenitor diploid cytotypes, and in a newly synthesized autotetraploid line of E. elongatus. Several lines collected from different regions of the distribution area of every taxon, each represented by a number of plants, were analyzed in each taxon. The intracytotype variation in nuclear DNA amount of every diploid and autotetraploid cytotype was very small, indicating that no significant changes have occurred in DNA amount either after speciation or after autopolyploid formation. The autotetraploid cytotypes of H. bulbosum and the cytologically diploidized H. marinum subsp. gussoneanum had the expected additive amount of their diploid cytotypes. On the other hand, the cytologically diploidized autotetraploid cytotypes of E. elongatus and H. murinum subsp. murinum and H. murinum subsp. leporinum had considerably less nuclear DNA (10%-23%) than the expected additive value. Also, the newly synthesized autotetraploid line of E. elongatus showed similar reduction in DNA as its natural counterpart, indicating that the reduction in genome size occurred in the natural cytotype during autopolyploidization. It is suggested that the diploid-like meiotic behavior of these cytologically dipolidized autotetraploids is caused by the instantaneous elimination of a large number of DNA sequences, different sequences from different homologous pairs, leading to differentiation of the constituent genomes. The eliminated sequences are likely to include those that participate in homologous recognition and initiation of meiotic pairing. A gene system determining exclusive bivalent pairing by utilizing the differentiation between the two groups of homologues has been presumably superimposed on the DNA reduction process.

Tolerance of Hordeum marinum accessions to O2 deficiency, salinity and these stresses combined

When root-zone O(2) deficiency occurs together with salinity, regulation of shoot ion concentrations is compromised even more than under salinity alone. Tolerance was evaluated amongst 34 accessions of Hordeum marinum, a wild species in the Triticeae, to combined salinity and root-zone O(2) deficiency. Interest in H. marinum arises from the potential to use it as a donor for abiotic stress tolerance into wheat. Two batches of 17 H. marinum accessions, from (1) the Nordic Gene Bank and (2) the wheat belt of Western Australia, were exposed to 0.2 or 200 mol m(-3) NaCl in aerated or stagnant nutrient solution for 28-29 d. Wheat (Triticum aestivum) was included as a sensitive check species. Growth, root porosity, root radial O(2) loss (ROL) and leaf ion (Na(+), K(+), Cl(-)) concentrations were determined. Owing to space constraints, this report is focused mainly on the accessions from the Nordic Gene Bank. The 17 accessions varied in tolerance; relative growth rate was reduced by 2-38 % in stagnant solution, by 8-42 % in saline solution (aerated) and by 39-71 % in stagnant plus saline treatment. When in stagnant solution, porosity of adventitious roots was 24-33 %; salinity decreased the root porosity in some accessions, but had no effect in others. Roots grown in stagnant solution formed a barrier to ROL, but variation existed amongst accessions in apparent barrier 'strength'. Leaf Na(+) concentration was 142-692 micromol g(-1) d. wt for plants in saline solution (aerated), and only increased to 247-748 micromol g(-1) d. wt in the stagnant plus saline treatment. Leaf Cl(-) also showed only small effects of stagnant plus saline treatment, compared with saline alone. In comparison with H. marinum, wheat was more adversely affected by each stress alone, and particularly when combined; growth reductions were greater, adventitious root porosity was 21 %, it lacked a barrier to ROL, leaf K(+) declined to lower levels, and leaf Na(+) and Cl(-) concentrations were 3.1-9-fold and 2.8-6-fold higher, respectively, in wheat. Stagnant treatment plus salinity reduced growth more than salinity alone, or stagnant alone, but some accessions of H. marinum were still relatively tolerant of these combined stresses, maintaining Na(+) and Cl(-) 'exclusion' even in an O(2)-deficient, saline rooting medium.

Vegetation as an Indicator of Soil Properties and Water Quality in the Akarçay Stream (Turkey)

In this study, the relationship among water quality, soil properties, and plant coverage in the region of the Akarçay stream was examined. Correlation analyses were carried out between soil samples taken from each of four plant communities in the Akarçay basin and water in the Akarçay stream. The four plant communities in the study area are as follows: Limonium lilacinum (Boiss. et Bal.) Wag., Alhagi pseudalhagi (M. Bieb.) Desv. Peganum harmala L., and Hordeum marinum Huds. subsp. marinum. B, Cl, EC, K, Mg, Na, pH, and SO4 data from both soil and water samples were subjected to statistical analysis, and significant correlations were obtained (p < 0.05). These correlations indicated that the chemical features of the soil had a major effect on water quality. The important parameters were B, Cl, EC, K, Mg, Na, pH, and SO4 for Limonium lilacinum communities; Ca, K, and pV for Peganum harmala; and B, Cl, Mg, pH, and pV for Alhagi pseudalhagi. There were also statistically significant relationships (p < 0.05) among the parameters examined. These findings strongly suggested that these plant communities can be used as indicators for soil chemistry and water quality.

Biomass Production, Forage Quality, and Cation Uptake of Quail Bush, Four‐Wing Saltbush, and Seaside Barley irrigated with Moderately Saline–Sodic Water

: Beneficial use of water of impaired quality has gained attention globally as society's demand for domestic quality water has increased. Additionally, concerns about the environmental implications of disposal of water of impaired quality have necessitated assessment of alternatives to disposal of such water. The study reported here investigated capacity of Atriplex lentiformis (Torr.) S. Wats. (Quail bush), Atriplex X aptera A. Nels. (pro sp.) (Wytana four‐wing saltbush), and Hordeum marinum Huds. (seaside barley) to produce biomass and crude protein and take up cations when irrigated with moderately saline–sodic water, in the presence of a shallow water table. Water tables were established at 0.38, 0.76, and 1.14 m below the surface in sand‐filled columns. The columns were then planted to the study species. Study plants were irrigated for 224 days; irrigation water was supplied every 7 days equal to water lost to evapotranspiration (ET) plus 100 mL (the volume of water removed in the most previous soil solution sampling). Water representing one of two irrigation sources was used: Powder River (PR) [electrical conductivity (EC) = 0.19 Sm−1, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) = 3.5 (mmolc L−1)1/2 ] or coalbed natural gas (CBNG) wastewater [EC = 0.35 Sm−1, SAR = 10.5 (mmolc L−1)1/2]. Biomass production did not differ significantly between water quality treatments but did differ significantly among species and water table depth within species. Averaged across water quality treatments, Hordeum marinum produced 79% more biomass than A. lentiformis and 122% more biomass than Atriplex X aptera, but contained only 11% crude protein compared to 16% crude protein in A. lentiformis and 14% crude protein in Atriplex X aptera. Atriplex spp. grown in columns with the water table at 0.38 m depth produced more biomass, took up less calcium (Ca2+) on a percentage basis [(g Ca2+ g−1 biomass) ×100], and took up more sodium (Na+) on a percentage basis than when grown with the water table at a deeper depth. Uptake of cations by Atriplex lentiformis was approximately twice the uptake of cations by Atriplex X aptera and three times that of H. marinum. After 224 days of irrigation, crop growth, and cation uptake, followed by biomass harvest, EC and SAR of shallow groundwater in columns planted to A. lentiformis were less than EC and SAR of shallow ground water in columns planted to either of the other species.

Assessment of O2 diffusivity across the barrier to radial O2 loss in adventitious roots of Hordeum marinum.

The subapical regions of wetland plant roots can develop a barrier to radial O2 loss (ROL), but barrier resistance has rarely been quantified in terms of its O2 diffusivity. Barrier resistance in adventitious roots of the waterlogging-tolerant Hordeum marinum was assessed from measurements of ROL using cylindrical platinum electrodes while either varying shoot O2 partial pressures or cooling the rooting medium. Anatomical features were examined using fluorescence microscopy. When grown in stagnant agar nutrient solution, a barrier to ROL was induced over the basal half of 100-120-mm-long roots. Autofluorescence in hypodermal cell walls indicated that putative suberin deposition was coincident with barrier expression. Root cooling revealed a significant respiratory component in barrier resistance. Eliminating the respiration effect by manipulating shoot O2 partial pressures revealed an O2 diffusivity for the barrier of 5.96 x 10(-7) cm2 s(-1), 96% less than that at the apex, which was > or = 1.59 x 10(-5) cm2 s(-1). It is concluded that the ROL barrier is a manifestation of two components acting synergistically: a physical resistance caused principally by secondary cell-wall deposits in the outer hypodermal layer; and respiratory activity in the hypodermal/epidermal layers; with physical resistance being the dominant component.