Characterization of Trichoderma asperellum RM-28 for its sodic/saline-alkali tolerance and plant growth promoting activities to alleviate toxicity of red mud.

Red mud (RM) is a highly alkaline, saline and sodic solid by-product released by alumina industries, which pose an economical and environmental problem and establishment of vegetation on these sites is a big challenge. In the present study, a fungus RM-28 exhibiting high tolerance to alkaline (pH 12), saline/sodic (NaCl 4%) was isolated from RM flooded rhizosphere soil of bermudagrass and tested its ability to reduce RM toxicity and promote the growth of sorghum-sudangrass seedlings. This fungus also exhibited high tolerance to heavy metal(loid)s (HMs) and desirable plant growth-promoting traits. This fungus was identified as Trichoderma asperellum based on its internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of rDNA and translation elongation factor-1α (TEF 1α) gene analysis. This fungus was effective in reducing the pH and solubilizing tricalcium phosphate under high alkaline and saline conditions in vitro. Further, RM-28 inoculation significantly lowered the pH and EC of the red mud from 11.8 to 8.2 and 2.23 to 1.42, respectively. Inoculation of RM-28 significantly improved the growth, chlorophyll content and reduced the oxidative stress of sorghum-sudangrass seedlings grown in red mud leachate. These observations suggest that T. asperellum RM-28 serves as potential source for the establishment of vegetation on red mud/red mud contaminated soils.

Environmental Xenoestrogens Super-Activate a Variant Murine ER Beta in Cholangiocytes.

High systemic levels of oestrogens are cholestatic and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC)-which is characterized by hepatic ductular inflammation-is thought to be triggered by exposure to xenobiotics such as those around landfill sites. Xenoestrogens may be a component of this chemical trigger. We therefore hypothesized that xenoestrogens are present at higher levels in the proximity of landfill sites. To test this hypothesis, soil samples were collected, extracts prepared and biological oestrogenic activity examined using cell-based reporter gene assays. Extracts from several sample sites around a landfill site contained a chemical(s) which activated the human ERα in a dose-dependent manner. Extracts from 3 separate control sampling sites were absent of any detectable activity. The mouse ERα and 2 variant mouse ERß cDNAs were cloned and extracts from sample sites around a landfill site also activated these receptors. One variant murine ERß was constitutively active when expressed in cholangiocytes, was readily inactivated by ICI182780 and activated in a dose-responsive, ICI182780-inhibitable manner by oestrogen. However, when this receptor was activated by extracts from landfill site soils, ICI182780 failed to antagonize activation. ERß was readily detectable in murine cholangiocytes and exposing mice acutely to a pooled ER activating soil extracts also gave rise to a mild cholestatic injury. These data indicate that the environment around landfill sites may contain higher levels of xenoestrogens; that these chemicals have "super-activating" characteristics with a variant ERß and therefore these chemicals could be a component of a xenobiotic insult that triggers PBC.

Inhibition of ethylene production by putrescine alleviates aluminium-induced root inhibition in wheat plants.

Inhibition of root elongation is one of the most distinct symptoms of aluminium (Al) toxicity. Although putrescine (Put) has been identified as an important signaling molecule involved in Al tolerance, it is yet unknown how Put mitigates Al-induced root inhibition. Here, the possible mechanism was investigated by using two wheat genotypes differing in Al resistance: Al-tolerant Xi Aimai-1 and Al-sensitive Yangmai-5. Aluminium caused more root inhibition in Yangmai-5 and increased ethylene production at the root apices compared to Xi Aimai-1, whereas the effects were significantly reversed by ethylene biosynthesis inhibitors. The simultaneous exposure of wheat seedlings to Al and ethylene donor, ethephon, or ethylene biosynthesis precursor, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), increased ethylene production and aggravated root inhibition, which was more pronounced in Xi Aimai-1. In contrast, Put treatment decreased ethylene production and alleviated Al-induced root inhibition in both genotypes, and the effects were more conspicuous in Yangmai-5. Furthermore, our results indicated that Al-induced ethylene production was mediated by ACC synthase (ACS) and ACC oxidase, and that Put decreased ethylene production by inhibiting ACS. Altogether, these findings indicate that ethylene is involved in Al-induced root inhibition and this process could be alleviated by Put through inhibiting ACS activity.

[Effect of phosphor on accumulation and chemical forms of cadmium, and physiological characterization in different varieties of Capsicum annuum L].

Pot experiments were carried out to investigate the influence of different Phosphor (P) levels (0, 0.3% and 0.5%) on the plant growth, activities of antioxidant enzymes, accumulation and chemical forms of cadmium (Cd) in Capsicum annuum L. when exposed to Cd (10 mg x kg(-1)). The results showed that dry weights of leaf, fruit, roots and total dry weights of plant, and concentration and accumulation of Cd significantly differed between two varieties of Capsicum annuum L. Dry weights of fruit and total plant of Chaotianjiao increased by P (0.3% and 0.5%), while that of Yanjiao425 was inhibited. Activities of catalase (CAT) were increased at first, and then reduced in the presence of P; Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) of Chaotianjiao increased with increasing levels of P, but activities of SOD and POD of Yanjiao425 decreased with increasing levels of P. Chemical forms of Cd in fruit of Capsicum annuum L. were in order of F(NaCl) > F(HAC) > F(E) > Fr > F(HC) > F(W). The total extractable Cd, ethanol-extractable Cd, hydrochloric acid-extractable Cd and residual Cd in fruit of Ynajiao425 obviously decreased in the presence of P compared to the control, while the total extractable Cd, water-extractable Cd, acetic acid-extractable Cd and residual Cd in fruit of Chaotianjiao increased. Cadmium accumulations of Capsicum annuum L. were in order of roots > stew > leaf > fruit. Cadmium accumulations in fruit and plant of Yanjiao425 were decreased by 47.7% and 58.5% , 5.5% and 13. 1% in the presence of 0.3% and 0.5% P when exposed to Cd, and Cd accumulations in fruit and plant of Chaotianjiao were decreased by 23.6% in the presence of 0.3% P.

[Effects of hydroxyapatite on growth and quality of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in Cd polluted soil].

A pot experiment was conducted in a glasshouse to study effects of hydroxyapatite amending Cd polluted soil on growth and quality of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). In the experiment, 3 levels of Cd pollution (0, 5, and 10 mg x kg(-1)) and 6 levels of hydroxyapatite application (0, 4, 8, 10, 16, and 30 g x kg(-1)) in soil were prepared to plant 2 potato varieties (Zhongshusanhao and Daxiyang in Chinese system). The results showed that Cd pollution in soil resulted in decrease in yield per plant of potato; for example, in the soils with 5 and 10 mg x kg(-1) of Cd, the yield per plant decreased 24%-31% and 41%-45%, respectively. Applying hydroxyapatite to Cd pollution could greatly increase yield per plant of potato. Compared to the soil without hydroxyapatite, 10 or 30 g x kg(-1) hydroxyapatite added to the soil with 5 or 10 mg x kg(-1) of Cd increased 17%-9% or 45%-58% in yield per plant. Due to hydroxyapatite amending Cd polluted soil, chlorophyll contents in leaves and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in tubers enhanced and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in tubers declined apparently. Meanwhile, quality of potato tubers was obviously improved, such as increase in vitamin C contents, starch contents, and protein contents in potato tubers. With hydroxyapatite applying from 0 to 30 g x kg(-1), Cd contents in potato tubers deceased from 0.87-0.95 mg x kg(-1) to 0.13-0.21 mg x kg(-1) by 78%-85% in the soils with 5 mg x kg(-1) of Cd, and from 1.86-1.93 mg x kg(-1) to 0.52-0.65 mg x kg(-1) by 66%-72% in the soils with 10 mg x kg(-1) of Cd. The experiment indicated that the mechanism of hydroxyapatite alleviating soil Cd toxicity main included rising soil pH values, reducing effective Cd contents in soil, and Ca from hydroxyapatite blocking soil Cd moving to potato. However, ability of hydroxyapatite alleviating soil Cd toxicity was limited, and excessive hydroxyapatite to soil exhibited stress effects on growth and quality of potato. In the Cd polluted soils with proper hydroxyapatite, growth and quality of Zhongshusanhao were better than those of Daxiyang, indicating different responses of various potato varieties to environment amelioration.

Effects of chlorimuron-ethyl and cadimum on biomass growth and cadimum accumulation of wheat in the phaiozem area, Northeast China.

The joint effect of chlorimuron-ethyl and cadmium (Cd) on biomass growth and cadmium accumulation in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was investigated and compared with single-factor effect of soil cadmium pollution. The results showed that dry biomass of wheat had significantly (p < 0.01) negative relationships with increasing concentrations of chlorimuron-ethyl and cadmium in phaiozem. The highest inhibition rates observed were 76.2%, 62.7% and 55.6% for roots, shoots and glumes, respectively, when the concentration of cadmium in soil was up to 100 mg kg(-1). There were synergistically inhibitory interactions between chlorimuron-ethyl and cadmium on biomass growth of wheat. The SPT values of cadmium for wheat decreased with an increase in the concentration of cadmium added to the tested soil. The accumulation of cadmium in wheat shoots, roots and glumes could be inhibited by chlorimuron-ethyl to some extent. There was an antagonistic interaction between chlorimuron-ethyl and cadmium on accumulation of cadmium in wheat.

The effect of silicon on the symptoms of manganese toxicity in maize plants.

The effect of exogenously applied silicon (Si) on plant growth, lipid peroxidation, total phenolic compounds and non-protein thiols was studied in two maize varieties (Zea mays L. vars. Kneja 605, 434) differing in sensitivity to excess manganese (Mn). Based on the density of brown spots per leaf area and relative shoot weight (RSW) used to define Mn tolerance var. Kneja 434 was found to be more Mn-tolerant than Kneja 605. The lipid peroxidation level and total phenolic compounds were enhanced with increasing Mn concentration in the nutrient solution. In addition, the Mn-sensitive var. Kneja 605 with markedly expressed first visible Mn toxicity symptoms had higher levels of total phenolic acids than var. Kneja 434 thus supporting the hypothesis that a stimulating effect of Mn on phenol content reflected rather a stress response to Mn excess than a tolerance mechanism. In contrast, non-protein SH content increased to a higher extent in the Mn-tolerant var. Kneja 434. The increased amount of non-protein SH compounds was accompanied by a much stronger oxidative stress in the Mn-sensitive plants when compared with the Mn-tolerant variety, thus suggesting that non-protein SH compounds may play a role in Mn tolerance in maize. The addition of silicon (Si) reduced the density of brown spots per leaf area as well as lipid peroxidation level and improved plant growth in Mn-treated plants.

28-homobrassinolide protects chickpea (Cicer arietinum) from cadmium toxicity by stimulating antioxidants.

In the present experiment the seeds of Cicer arietinum (L.) cv. Uday were inoculated with specific Rhizobium grown in sandy loam soil and were allowed to grow for 15 days. At this stage, the seedlings were supplied with 0, 50, 100 or 150 microM of cadmium in the form of cadmium chloride and sprayed with 0.01 microM of 28-homobrassinolide (HBL) at 30-day stage. The data indicated that plant fresh and dry mass, number of nodules, their fresh and dry mass, leghemoglobin content, nitrogen and carbohydrate content in the nodules, leaf chlorophyll content, nitrate reductase and carbonic anhydrase activities decreased proportionately with the increasing concentrations of cadmium but the content of proline and the activities of catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase increased. The ill effect, generated by cadmium, was overcome if the stressed plants were sprayed with HBL.

Decreased toxicity to terrestrial plants associated with a mixture of methyl tert-butyl ether and its metabolite tert-butyl alcohol.

The influence of the main fuel oxygenate methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and its key metabolite, tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), on the growth of a plant seedling was studied separately and in combination. The test plants were mung bean (Phaseolus radiatus), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), wheat (Triticum aestivum), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), kale (Brassica alboglabra), Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris), and sweet corn (Zea mays). The growth of all the plants was adversely affected by TBA and MTBE. The 5-d median effective concentration (EC50) for the plants exposed to MTBE and TBA were in the range of 680 to 1,000 mg MTBE/kg soil (dry wt) and 1,200 to 3,500 mg TBA/kg soil (dry wt), respectively. The relative order of the sensitivity rankings is almost the same for MTBE and TBA. Methyl tert-butyl ether is more toxic than TBA to most of the test species. Based on the EC50 values, MTBE is approximately 1.5 to 3 times more potent than TBA. The sum of the toxic unit (TU) at 50% inhibition of the mixture (EC50mix) was calculated from the dose (TU-based)-response relationships using the trimmed Spearman-Karber method. The combined effect of MTBE + TBA on the plant growth was less than additive because the EC50mix values were greater than I TU. This phenomenon may be due to the competition of MTBE and TBA in terms of their intake by plants. The combined effects of MTBE and TBA should be taken into account to assess their risk in gasoline-contaminated sites.

[The resistance of soil microorganisms to soil pollution by heavy metals]. / Rezystentnist' hruntovykh mikroorhanizmiv do zabrudnennia hruntiv vazhkymy metalamy.

Microbial communities of grey podzolized soil of Left-Bank Ukraine are characterized by high potential resistance to pollution with heavy metals: above 40% of organotrophic microorganisms are capable to resist to pollution with a mixture of heavy metals (Cu2+, Cd2+, Pb2+, Zn2+) in a dose of 20 MPC of each metal. Relative amount of resistant microorganisms in polluted soil increases up to 93%. White zeolites and biohumus are promising for reclamation of soils polluted with heavy metals. They decrease toxic effect of heavy metals on soil microflora and promote development of microflora resistant to pollution.