Intrinsic soil property effects on Cd phytotoxicity to Ligustrum japonicum 'Howardii' expressed as different fractions of Cd in forest soils.

A better comprehensive understanding of the influence of soil/solution properties on cadmium (Cd) phytotoxicity is essential for soil Cd ecological risk assessment. The toxicity of soil spiked Cd to Ligustrum japonicum 'Howardii' seedling growth was conducted by the greenhouse pot experiments using 13 typical forest soils selected from mainland of China. The results showed that the ranges of Cd toxicity thresholds of 10% seedling growth inhibition (EC10) and 50% inhibition (EC50) followed the order: soil pore water Cd (EC10 on average 0.88 mg L-1 with the variation of 54.9 folds and EC50 on average 2.28 mg L-1 with variation of 41.8 folds), DTPA extractable Cd (EC10 on average 5.4 mg kg-1 with 20.9 folds variation and EC50 on average 17.86 mg kg-1 with 6.6 folds variation), total added Cd (EC10 on average 6.55 mg kg-1 with 16.7 folds variation and EC50 on average 22.11 mg kg-1 with 5.1 folds variation), which suggested that whatever the available Cd expressed, its toxicity is largely affected by soil properties. The empirical multiple equations were well developed between different fractions of Cd toxicity thresholds ECx (x = 10 or 50) and soil/solution. The results also showed that the pH inversely correlated with EC10 (r2 = 0.54, P < 0.01) and EC50 (r2 = 0.63, P < 0.001) based on soil pore water, indicating the ECx decreased with more toxicity as pH increased. No single significant soil solution properties were found for ECx in DTPA extractable Cd. For the ECx of DTPA extractable and total Cd, the content of aluminum oxides in soil and soil pH were the two significant factors inversely related with ECx, which explained 68%-79% of the inter-soil variation, respectively. Overall, soil or solution pH was the most important factor controlling Cd toxicity thresholds. Meanwhile, significant negative correlations existed between the soil solution pH and the slopes of parameter (b) of the dose-response curves for different fractions of Cd, implying that the growth of toxic effect enhanced as unit Cd dosage increased in low pH soils. These results will be helpful to evaluate the metal ecological risk in forest soils.

Response of gas-exchange characteristics and chlorophyll fluorescence to acute sulfur dioxide exposure in landscape plants.

To explore the toxicity and action mechanism of acute sulfur dioxide (SO2) on urban landscape plants, a simulated SO2 stress environment by using fumigation chamber involving increasing SO2 concentration (0, 25, 50, 100, 200 mg m-3) was carried out among three species. After 72 h of exposure, SO2-induced oxidative damage indicated by electrolyte leakage increased with higher dose of SO2. Meanwhile, SO2 decreased the contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoid and increased the contents of sulfur. Net photosynthetic rate (Pn) decreased as a result of stomatal closure when SO2 dose was lower than 50 mg m-3, out of this range, non-stomatal limitation play a dominant role in the decline of Pn. Simultaneous measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence imaging (CFI) also revealed that the maximal quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry in dark-adapted state (Fv/Fm) and the realized operating efficiency of PSII photochemistry (Fq'/Fm') was reduced by SO2 in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the maximum quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry in light-adapted state (Fv'/Fm') and the PSII efficiency factor (Fq'/Fv') decreased when exposure to SO2. These results implied that acute SO2 exposure induced photoinhibition of PSII reaction centers in landscape plants. Our study also indicated that different urban landscape plant species resist differently to SO2: Euonymus kiautschovicus > Ligustrum vicaryi > Syringa oblata according to gas-exchange characteristics and chlorophyll fluorescence responses.

An assessment of the tolerance of Ligustrum ovalifolium Hassk. to traffic-generated Pb using physiological and biochemical markers.

This study examined the leaf Pb content, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (Fo, Fm, Fv, Fv/Fm, Fm/Fo and t(1/2)), photopigments (Chl a, Chl b, Chl a+b, the Chl a/b ratio, and total carotenoids), as well as total phenolics (free and bound) in privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium Hassk.) in 'Stara Zvezdara' Park, located along the avenue with heavy traffic flow (polluted site), and the Arboretum of Belgrade's Faculty of Forestry (control site). Site-dependent variations were observed for all the parameters examined. It was found that Pb accumulated in leaf tissues (3.5-4.2microg/g) originates from traffic. Results obtained showed that privet is tolerant to the accumulation of Pb generated by traffic, because it maintains optimal photosynthesis and is characterized by active protection mechanisms due to increase in leaf phenolics, which enable it to survive in habitats exposed to chronic Pb pollution stress. Therefore, L. ovalifolium has great potential for urban landscaping.

Photosystem II of Ligustrum lucidum in response to different levels of manganese exposure.

The toxic effect of excessive manganese (Mn) on photosystem II (PSII) of woody species remains largely unexplored. In this study, five Mn concentrations (0, 12, 24, 36, and 48 mM) were used, and the toxicity of Mn on PSII behavior in leaves of Ligustrum lucidum was investigated using in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence transients. Results showed that excessive Mn levels induced positive L- and K- bands. Variable fluorescence at 2 ms (VJ) and 30 ms (VI), absorption flux (ABS/RC), trapped energy flux (TRo/RC), and dissipated energy flux (DIo/RC) increased in Mn-treated leaves, whereas the performance index (PIABS), electron transport flux (ETo/RC), maximum quantum yield (φPo), quantum yield of electron transport (φEo), and probability that an electron moves further than QA- (ψo) decreased. Also, excessive Mn significantly decreased the net photosynthesis rate and increased intercellular CO2 concentration. The results indicated that Mn blocked the electron transfer from the donor side to the acceptor side in PSII, which might be associated with the accumulation of QA-, hence limiting the net photosynthetic rate.