Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: R.W. Feng Author-Workplace-Name: Centre for Research in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Remediation, Institute of Agro-Environmental Protection of the Ministry of Agriculture, Tianjin, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Open Key Laboratory of Agro-environment and Food Safety of the Ministry of Agriculture, Tianjin, P.R. China Author-Name: C.Y. Wei Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China Title: Antioxidative mechanisms on selenium accumulation in Pteris vittata L., a potential selenium phytoremediation plant Abstract: Selenium (Se) contamination due to industrial activities has received increasing concerns. Phytoremediation has been suggested to be an efficient and feasible way to remove Se from Se-contaminated environment. Recently, an arsenic (As) hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata L. (Chinese Brake fern) was found to be a Se accumulator. This study was carried out to investigate Se accumulation mechanisms concentrating on antioxidant responses of this plant to six levels of selenite (0, 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 mg/L). The results showed that Chinese Brake fern can accumulate a large amount of Se without any visible toxic symptoms and significant decreases in its biomass. However, the root took up more Se than the fronds. The highest concentration of Se in the roots and fronds was 1.536 mg/kg and 242 mg/kg, respectively, demonstrating a typical accumulation character to Se. Addition of 2 mg/L Se decreased, but ≥ 5 mg/L Se enhanced the production of malondialdehyde (MDA), suggesting an antioxidant role of low dosages of Se. The enzymes of catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and peroxidase (POD) contributed their anti-oxidative functions only under low dosages of Se, as shown by their increased activities at Se levels ≤ 5 mg/L and lowered activities at Se levels > 5 mg/L. The concentration of glutathione (GSH) and enzyme activity of glutathione reductase (GR) were stimulated by ≥ 5 mg/L Se. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was also enhanced by 20 mg/L Se. Our results suggest that SOD, GSH and GR were likely responsible for, but enzymes of POD, APX, and CAT have limited roles in Se accumulation in Chinese Brake fern. Keywords: SOD, GSH, GR, antioxidants, Chinese Brake Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 105-110 Volume: 58 Issue: 3 Year: 2012 DOI: 10.17221/162/2011-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/162/2011-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-201203-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:58:y:2012:i:3:id:162-2011-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: X.W. Zhang Author-Workplace-Name: College of Resources and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, P.R. China Author-Name: Y.J. Dong Author-Workplace-Name: College of Resources and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Slow/Controlled Release Fertilizers, Author-Name: X.K. Qiu Author-Workplace-Name: College of Resources and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, P.R. China Author-Name: G.Q. Hu Author-Workplace-Name: College of Resources and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, P.R. China Author-Name: Y.H. Wang Author-Workplace-Name: College of Resources and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, P.R. China Author-Name: Q.H. Wang Author-Workplace-Name: College of Resources and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, P.R. China Title: Exogenous nitric oxide alleviates iron-deficiency chlorosis in peanut growing on calcareous soil Abstract: Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a nitric oxide (NO) donor, was added into controlled release fertilizer (CRF) or sprayed on leaves to supply NO on iron deficiency stress in peanut (Arachis hypogaea Linn) plants growing on calcareous soils. Iron deficiency reduced plant growth and chlorophyll content. NO improved plant growth and alleviated leaf interveinal chlorosis, and increased the activity of root FeIII reductase and the concentration of available iron in cultured soil, suggesting that NO action could be related to iron availability to the plant. The actual photochemical efficiency (ΦPSII) and photochemical maximum efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) were increased, and minimum fluorescence yield (Fo) was decreased under NO-treated condition, which supported the protective effect of NO on photosystem II (PSII) in peanut leaves. NO increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes, and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation. These results suggest that exogenous NO could alleviate iron deficiency induced chlorosis of peanut plants growing on calcareous soil. Keywords: Arachis hypogaea Linn, active iron, FeIII reductase, chlorophyll, antioxidant enzymes Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 111-120 Volume: 58 Issue: 3 Year: 2012 DOI: 10.17221/310/2011-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/310/2011-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-201203-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:58:y:2012:i:3:id:310-2011-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: G.Q. Wu Author-Workplace-Name: State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agroecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, P.R. China Author-Name: S.M. Wang Author-Workplace-Name: State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agroecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, P.R. China Title: Calcium regulates K+/Na+ homeostasis in rice (Oryza sativa L.) under saline conditions Abstract: To investigate the effects of Ca2+ on cation accumulation and K+/Na+ selectivity, in this study, two-week-old rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants were exposed to 25 or 125 mmol/L NaCl with or without 10 mmol/L CaCl2. At low salinity (25 mmol/L NaCl), Ca2+ significantly decreased Na+ accumulation in roots, increased K+ accumulation in shoots, and maintained higher K+/Na+ ratios in both roots and shoots of rice plants. At high salinity (125 mmol/L NaCl), however, Ca2+ did not have any effects on Na+, K+ accumulation and K+/Na+ ratios in plants. Further analysis showed that, at low salinity, the addition of Ca2+ significantly enhanced the selective absorption and transport capacity for K+ over Na+ in rice. Although Na+ efflux and Na+ influx were remarkably reduced by Ca2+ under both low and high salt stresses, their ratio was lowered only under low salt stress. In summary, these results suggest that Ca2+ could regulate K+/Na+ homeostasis in rice at low salinity by enhancing the selectivity for K+ over Na+, reducing the Na+ influx and efflux, and lowering the futile cycling of Na+. Keywords: ion accumulation, selectivity, Na+ influx, futile cycling, salt stress Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 121-127 Volume: 58 Issue: 3 Year: 2012 DOI: 10.17221/374/2011-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/374/2011-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-201203-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:58:y:2012:i:3:id:374-2011-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: H. Zhang Author-Workplace-Name: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Key Laboratory of Urban Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, P.R.C, Shanghai, P.R. China Author-Name: Z. Zhao Author-Workplace-Name: Key Laboratory of Urban Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, P.R.C, Shanghai, P.R. China Author-Name: X. Yi Author-Workplace-Name: Shanghai Exit and Entry Inspection & Quarantine Bureau, Technical Center For Food, Animal and Plant Inspection and Quarantine, Shanghai, P.R. China Author-Name: Y. Lu Author-Workplace-Name: Key Laboratory of Urban Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, P.R.C, Shanghai, P.R. China Author-Name: L. Cao Author-Workplace-Name: Key Laboratory of Urban Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, P.R.C, Shanghai, P.R. China Title: Effect of fertilization on composition and spatial distribution of dissolved organic nitrogen in paddy soil microbial systems Abstract: Dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) has high bioavailability and is an important source of soil nutrients. In order to determine the concentrations and the composition of DON in different depths (0-30 cm), and provide a theoretical basis for further deep research into the paddy soil nitrogen supply, experiments based on the lysimeter method were carried out to investigate the effect of fertilization on composition and spatial distribution of DON in paddy soil. Paddy soil was treated under chemical fertilization treatment (CT) and mixed fertilization treatment (MT). With methods of PCR-DGGE and HPLC-MS, the results of the experiments suggested that the samples in 10-20 cm and 20-30 cm under MT had significantly higher bacterial diversity than those under CT except in 0-10 cm. DON had a high percentage (63.1-79.9%) in Ntot of soil solution. The results of the correlation analysis revealed that DON had a significant positive correlation with organic matter content, Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H') and a significant negative correlation with pH. The possible results of HPLC-MS identification of DON from paddy soil solution were that (a) 3-(4-thiazolyl)-l-alanine; (b) 2-phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulfonic acid; (c) 4-(2, 4-difluorophenyl)-3-nitrobenzene carbaldehyde; (d) fendizoic acid. Keywords: microbial diversity, paddy soil, correlation analysis, HPLC-MS Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 128-134 Volume: 58 Issue: 3 Year: 2012 DOI: 10.17221/533/2011-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/533/2011-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-201203-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:58:y:2012:i:3:id:533-2011-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: M. Skwierawska Author-Workplace-Name: Departament of Agricultural Chemistry and Environmental Protection, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland Author-Name: L. Zawartka Author-Workplace-Name: Departament of Agricultural Chemistry and Environmental Protection, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland Author-Name: A. Skwierawski Author-Workplace-Name: Chair of Land Reclamation and Management, University of Warmia and Mazury Author-Name: A. Nogalska Author-Workplace-Name: Departament of Agricultural Chemistry and Environmental Protection, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland Title: The effect of different sulfur doses and forms on changes of soil heavy metals Abstract: A three-year field experiment was conducted in North-East Poland. Each year three sulfur fertilization rates in the form of sulphate (S-SO42-) and pure (S-S0) sulfur were applied: 40, 80, and 120 kg/ha. After the third year of the study, the application of sulfate and elemental sulfur decreased the zinc content of 0-40 and 40-80 cm soil layers, as compared with soil sampled before the experiment. Over the entire experimental period, sulfur fertilization had no significant effect on changes in the natural copper content of soil at a depth of 0-40 and 40-80 cm. Manganese concentrations remained at a similar level at a soil depth of 0-40 cm. The manganese content of the 40-80 cm soil layer was substantially lower than in the 0-40 cm horizon. An insignificant increase in the lead content of soil was observed. The applied doses of sulfate and elemental sulfur led to an increase in the cadmium content of soil depth of 0-40 cm. Sulfur fertilization contributed to a decrease in the nickel content of soil. The applied doses of sulfate and elemental sulfur exerted a stronger effect in the 0-40 cm soil layer than in the 40-80 cm horizon. Keywords: fertilizer, S-SO42-, S-elemental, available forms, zinc, copper, manganese, lead, cadmium, nickel, interaction Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 135-140 Volume: 58 Issue: 3 Year: 2012 DOI: 10.17221/638/2011-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/638/2011-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-201203-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:58:y:2012:i:3:id:638-2011-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: E. Suchowilska Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Breeding and Seed Production, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland Author-Name: M. Wiwart Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Breeding and Seed Production, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland Author-Name: W. Kandler Author-Workplace-Name: Center for Analytical Chemistry, Department for Agrobiotechnology, IFA-Tulln, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna, Tulln, Austria Author-Name: R. Krska Author-Workplace-Name: Center for Analytical Chemistry, Department for Agrobiotechnology, IFA-Tulln, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna, Tulln, Austria Title: A comparison of macro- and microelement concentrations in the whole grain of four Triticum species Abstract: The aim of this study was to compare the concentrations of five macro- and fifteen microelements in the whole grain of spring lines of emmer, einkorn, spelt and two common wheat cultivars, all grown under identical environmental conditions. All elements were determined by ICP-SFMS analysis. The studied Triticum species differed significantly with respect to the concentrations of P, Mg, Zn, Fe, Mn, Na, Cu, Sr, Rb, and Mo. The grain of all hulled wheats, compared with common wheat, contained significantly more Zn (from 34% to 54%), Fe (from 31% to 33%) and Cu (from 3% to 28%). In the majority of cases, there were no relationships between the concentrations of the analyzed elements, except for significant positive correlations between the levels of Fe, Zn and Mn, in particular in T. monococcum and T. dicoccum. The classical linear discriminant analysis enabled to distinguish between the three studied Triticum species with regard to the concentrations of all analyzed elements in their grain. A significant discrimination indicates that the concentrations of the investigated elements are a species-specific character. A strong correlation between Zn, Fe and Mn could have important implications for wheat quality breeding. Keywords: hulled wheats, elements, discriminant analysis, ICP-SFMS Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 141-147 Volume: 58 Issue: 3 Year: 2012 DOI: 10.17221/688/2011-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/688/2011-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-201203-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:58:y:2012:i:3:id:688-2011-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: M. Simić Author-Workplace-Name: Maize Research Institute, Zemun Polje, Belgrade, Serbia Author-Name: Ž. Dolijanović Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, Zemun, Belgrade, Serbia Author-Name: R. Maletić Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, Zemun, Belgrade, Serbia Author-Name: L. Stefanović Author-Workplace-Name: Maize Research Institute, Zemun Polje, Belgrade, Serbia Author-Name: M. Filipović Author-Workplace-Name: Maize Research Institute, Zemun Polje, Belgrade, Serbia Title: Weed suppression and crop productivity by different arrangement patterns of maize Abstract: A field experiment was conducted in order to estimate the influence of different arrangement patterns of maize plants (Zea mays L.) in combination with low rates of herbicides on weed infestation and on production parameters of the crop. The maize was sown at 70-, 50-, and 35-cm row space with the same crop density. The weed biomass declined with smaller row spaces and was, on average, the lowest with the 35-cm row space; even though the arrangement patterns of the maize plants had no significant effect on the average values of the weed biomass. The interaction of the arrangement pattern and the herbicide rate significantly influenced weed biomass. Maize grain yield expressed the greatest variation under the effects of applied factors, but did not differ significantly between treatments with the full and the half rate of herbicides. The results indicate that it is possible to control weed infestation level if maize is grown with increased spatial uniformity and combined application of other practices such are herbicides. In such a way, maize plants are more competitive against weeds and even lower amounts of herbicides could be applied in order to achieve high yields. Keywords: crop arrangement, competitive ability, weeds, herbicides, maize yield Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 148-153 Volume: 58 Issue: 3 Year: 2012 DOI: 10.17221/606/2011-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/606/2011-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-201203-0007.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:58:y:2012:i:3:id:606-2011-PSE