Woody species Rhus chinensis Mill. seedlings tolerance to Pb: Physiological and biochemical response.

Screening potential plant species is a crucial consideration in phytoremediation technology. Our previous study demonstrated that Rhus chinensis Mill. seedlings had potentials for phytoremediation of Pb contaminated soil. However, its bioaccumulation and tolerance characteristics remain unclear. Seedling growth, LMWOAs secreted by roots, Pb subcellular distribution and chemical forms, and mineral elements in R. chinensis tissues were evaluated under different Pb concentrations (0, 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/L) in culture solution at 14 days after planting. R. chinensis did not show visual symptoms of Pb toxicity under lower Pb treatments; however, Pb significantly declined the growth of seedlings under higher Pb treatments. Higher Pb stress also decreased the concentrations of nitrogen in leaves, but increased the concentrations of P and K in roots. Pb stress also decreased Mn concentrations in leaves. A great quantity of Pb was uptake and mostly retained in R. chinensis roots. Nonetheless, R. chinensis can still concentrate 459.3 and 1102.7 mg/kg Pb in leaves and stems, respectively. Most of Pb in R. chinensis tissues was stored in the cell wall with HAc-, HCl-, and NaCl-extractable form. LMWOAs secreted by R. chinensis roots showed a strong positive correlation with Pb concentrations in all plant tissues and with P in roots. Our results suggested that Pb deposited in the cell wall and integration with phosphate or oxalate might be responsible for the tolerance of R. chinensis under Pb stress in short period.

Comparison of inducible versus constitutive expression of plectasin on yields and antimicrobial activities in Pichia pastoris.

BACKGROUND: Plectasin might serve as a substitute for traditional antibiotics, but its yields and antimicrobial activities warrant further investigation. OBJECTIVE: To identify the influence of inducible versus constitutive expression of plectasin on yields and antimicrobial activities. METHODS: Through SOE-PCR, a recombinant plectasin gene was generated and inserted into inducible (pPICZαA) and constitutive (pGAPZαA) vectors in order to create Pichia pastoris GS115 strains. After 120 h of fermentation, supernatants were purified by an AKTA purifier using nickel columns. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and inhibition zone assays were performed after Tricine-SDS-PAGE. RESULTS: After 120 h of fermentation, the yield of constitutive plectasin (370 µg/ml) was much lower than that from inducible vector (880 µg/ml) (P < 0.05). However, constitutive strain reached its plateau phase faster and keep more consistent yield (P < 0.05). The MICs of inducible plectasin against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) 15471118, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus feces (VREF), and penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumonia (PRSP) 31355 were 64, 32, and 64 µg/ml, respectively, while those of constitutive plectasin were 4, 4, and 16 µg/ml. No significant differences were observed in antimicrobial activities between inducible and constitutive plectasin for MRSA 15471118, VREF and PRSP 31355 (all P ï¼ž 0.05). However, constitutive plectasin had a larger inhibition zone than inducible plectasin with the same mass. CONCLUSIONS: Although P. pastoris GS115 (pGAPZαA-Plectasin-GS115) had lower expression than P. pastoris GS115 (pPICZαA-plectasin-GS115), it reached the plateau phase faster, had steadier yields and showed superiority in antimicrobial activities. Therefore, pGAPZαA might be more suitable for expression of plectasin in GS115 compared with pPICZαA.

Phytoremediation potential of transplanted bare-root seedlings of trees for lead/zinc and copper mine tailings.

Selecting plant species that can overcome unfavorable conditions and increase the recovery of degraded mined lands remains a challenge. A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of using transplanted tree seedlings for the phytoremediation of lead/zinc and copper mine tailings. One-year-old bare-root of woody species (Rhus chinensis Mill, Quercus acutissima Carruth, Liquidambar formosana Hance, Vitex trifolia Linn. var. simplicifolia Cham, Lespedeza cuneata and Amorpha fruticosa Linn) were transplanted into pots with mine tailings and tested as potential metal-tolerant plants. Seedling survival, plant growth, root trait, nutrient uptake, and metal accumulation and translocation were assessed. The six species grew in both tailings and showed different tolerance level. A. fruticosa was highly tolerant of Zn, Pb and Cu, and grew normally in both tailings. Metal concentrations were higher in the roots than in the shoots of the six species. All of the species had low bioconcentration and translocation factor values. However, R. chinensis and L. formosana had significantly higher translocation factor values for Pb (0.88) and Zn (1.78) than the other species. The nitrogen-fixing species, A. fruticosa, had the highest tolerance and biomass production, implying that it has great potential in the phytoremediation of tailing areas in southern China.

Removal of 2,4-dichlorophenol in hydroponic solution by four Salix matsudana clones.

Using plants to treat polluted sites and groundwater is an approach called phytoremediation. The aim of the present study was to investigated the toxicity, uptake, accumulation, and removal of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) in four Salix matsudana clones and to screen the feasibility of phytoremediation using S. matsudana clones. Willows were exposed to 2,4-DCP in hydroponic solution with the concentrations of 10, 20 and 30mg L(-1) for 96h. The biomass of shoots and roots were reduced. Chlorophyll content decreased significantly compared with the control. All root morphology values were different between clones and different concentrations. The 2,4-DCP endurance of four S. matsudana clones was gauged as follows: clone 18> clone 22> clone 8> clone 10. S. matsudana was found to promote 2,4-DCP removal relative to the contaminated solution without plants. From 52.2% to 73.7% of 2,4-DCP were removed by all treatments after 96h exposure. 2,4-DCP was mainly accumulated in roots than in shoots. Clone 22 was the most efficient for the accumulation of 2,4-DCP in plant tissues. The removal of 2,4-DCP from the media may result from its degradation or polymerized in the root zone by the plant enzymes. Phytoremediation of 2,4-DCP with S. matsudana clone 8, 18 and 22 seem to be a viable option, especially at lower concentrations. These clones could remove 2,4-DCP from aquatic environment rapidly and efficiently. In addition, the toxic effect on trees during the removal process is not lethal.

Seedling growth and metal accumulation of selected woody species in copper and lead/zinc mine tailings.

A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the potential of selected woody plants for revegetation in copper (Cu) and lead/zinc (Pb/Zn) mine tailing areas. Five woody species (Amorpha fruticosa Linn, Vitex trifolia Linn. var. simplicifolia Cham, Glochidion puberum (Linn.) Hutch, Broussonetia papyrifera, and Styrax tonkinensis) and one herbaceous species (Sesbania cannabina Pers) were planted in Cu and Pb/Zn tailings to assess their growth, root morphology, nutrition uptake, metal accumulation, and translocation in plants. Amorpha fruticosa maintained normal growth, while the other species demonstrated stress related growth and root development. Sesbania cannabina showed the highest biomass among the plants, although it decreased by 30% in Cu tailings and 40% in Pb/Zn tailings. Calculated tolerance index (TI) values suggested that A. fruticosa, an N-fixing shrub, was the most tolerant species to both tailings (TI values 0.92-1.01), while S. cannabina had a moderate TI of 0.65-0.81 and B. papyrifera was the most sensitive species, especially to Pb/Zn tailings (TI values 0.15-0.19). Despite the high concentrations of heavy metals in the mine tailings and plants roots, only a small transfer of these elements to the aboveground parts of the woody plants was evident from the low translocation factor (TF) values. Among the woody plants, V. trifolia var. simplicifolia had the highest TF values for Zn (1.32), Cu (0.78), and Pb/Zn (0.78). The results suggested that A. fruticosa and S. cannabina, which have the highest tolerance and biomass production, respectively, demonstrated the potential for tailings revegetation in southern China.

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A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the growth response and vegetation restoration prospect of seedlings of five oak species for the phytoremediation of lead/zinc (Pb/Zn) mine tailings. Seedlings of Quercus imbricaria, Q. coccinea, Q. pagoda, Q. shumardii, Q. fabri were transplanted into pots containing Pb/Zn mine tailings to comparatively examine their biomass, root morphology, absorption and transfer characteristics of nutrient elements and heavy metals 30 months later. The results showed that all the seedlings could survive in the Pb/Zn tailings after 30 months. The biomass of Q. coccinea and Q. fabri decreased in Pb/Zn tailings compared with the control, while no significant difference were found for other three species. Compared with the control, root biomass was increased to some extent in Pb/Zn tailings except Q. coccinea. The lateral root morphological parameters were reduced only for Q. coccinea . Under heavy metal stress, nutrient concentrations of root and stem of oak seedlings did not change compared with the control. Generally, the concentrations of heavy metals in plant tissues were low, and the values of bioconcentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF) were less than 1. Q. pagoda could accumulate more Cd, with concentrations of 22.4 and 15.1 mg·kg-1 in leaf and stem, respectively, and could translocate more Cd from root to shoot with TF of 2.3. Our results suggested that the seedlings of tested oak species could be used as the potential species for contaminated soil. Q. shumardii had the highest tole-rance with a low BCF and TF, implying that they were better potential candidates for afforestation and ecological restoration of mine tailings.

Comparative of Quercus spp. and Salix spp. for phytoremediation of Pb/Zn mine tailings.

A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of using tree seedlings for the phytoremediation of lead/zinc (Pb/Zn) mine tailings. Seedlings of three Quercus spp. (Q. shumardii, Q. phellos, and Q. virginiana) and rooted cuttings of two Salix spp. (S. matsudana and S. integra) were transplanted into pots containing 50 and 100 % Pb/Zn mine tailings to evaluate their tolerance of heavy metals. The five species showed different tolerance levels to the Pb/Zn tailings treatments. Q. virginiana was highly tolerant to heavy metals and grew normally in the Pb/Zn tailings. The root systems showed marked differences between the Quercus spp. and Salix spp., indicating that different mechanisms operated to confer tolerance of heavy metals. The maximum efficiency of photosystem II photochemistry value of the five species showed no differences among the treatments, except for Q. shumardii. All species showed low metal translocation factors (TFs). However, S. integra had significantly higher TF values for Zn (1.42-2.18) and cadmium (1.03-1.45) than did the other species. In this respect, Q. virginiana showed the highest tolerance and a low TF, implying that it is a candidate for phytostabilization of mine tailings in southern China. S. integra may be useful for phytoextraction of tailings in temperate regions.

Transcriptome Sequencing and Expression Analysis of Cadmium (Cd) Transport and Detoxification Related Genes in Cd-Accumulating Salix integra.

Salix integra is a shrub willow native to northeastern China, Japan, Korea, and Primorsky Krai in the far southeast of Russia, and has been identified as cadmium (Cd)-accumulating trees in recent years. Although many physiological studies have been conducted with these plants, little is known about the molecular basis underlying Cd response in this plant, and this is confirmed by the very few number of gene sequences (only 39 nucleotide sequences) available in public databases. Advances in genomics for Salix are promising for future improvement in identification of new candidate genes involved in metal tolerance and accumulation. Thus, high-throughput transcriptome sequencing is essential for generating enormous transcript sequences from S. integra, especially for the purpose of Cd toxicity-responsive genes discovery. Using Illumina paired-end sequencing, approximately 60.05 million high-quality reads were obtained. De novo assembly yielded 80,105 unigenes with an average length of 703 bp, A total of 50,221 (63%) unigenes were further functionally annotated by comparing their sequences to different proteins and functional domain databases. GO annotation reveals 1849 Cd responsive genes involving in Cd binding, transport, and detoxification and cellular Cd homeostasis, and these genes were highly enriched in plant response to Cd ion and Cd ion transport. By searching against the PlantCyc database, 509 unigenes were assigned to 14 PlantCyc pathways related to Cd transport and cellular detoxification, and many of them are genes encoding heavy metal ATPases (HMAs), nature resistance-associated with microphage proteins (NRAMPs), ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, etc., Comprehensive RT-qPCR analysis of these selected genes in different tissues of S. integra under the control and Cd treatment revealed metallothionein-like protein (MT2A and MT2B), Metal tolerance protein (MTP1), ABCB25, NRAMP5, and ZIP1 may be involved in the Cd transport and detoxification in leaves, while NRAMP2, ZIP8, and NRAMP5 may be related to Cd transport in roots. Our study will enrich the sequence information of S. integra in public database, and would provide some new understanding of the molecular mechanisms of heavy metal tolerance and detoxification in willows.

Efficiency and safety of roflumilast combined with long-acting bronchodilators on moderate-to-severe stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Roflumilast, a phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor recommended by clinical guideline, is always being used in combination with at least one long-acting bronchodilator in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, there are few evidences about whether the combination of roflumilast and long-acting bronchodilators is safer and more effective in patients with moderate-to-very severe stable COPD. In our study, we investigate the effect and safety of roflumilast combined with long-acting bronchodilators on moderate-to-severe stable COPD patients. METHODS: Several databases were adopted in February 5th 2016, so as to identify relevant randomized controlled trial (RCT). Studies indicated that the patients in the experimental group had to receive roflumilast and concomitant treatment with long-acting bronchodilators, and the patients in the control group had to receive placebo and concomitant treatment with long-acting bronchodilators. The primary outcome was COPD exacerbations and the secondary outcome was adverse events. The relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. RESULTS: Total 5,746 patients were involved in all six trials. Roflumilast combined with long-acting bronchodilators could lead to significant reduction in exacerbations of COPD (RR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.69 to 0.86; P<0.00001; I2=0%), and cause some adverse events such as: back pains, headache, diarrhea, nausea, weight loss, insomnia and decreased appetite. According to the subgroup analysis, the test for finding subgroup difference between roflumilast combined with long-acting bronchodilators and roflumilast combined with ICS and long-acting bronchodilators showed no significance in reducing exacerbations. CONCLUSIONS: Roflumilast combined with long-acting bronchodilators is a better option for moderate-to-severe COPD patients than exclusive use of long-acting bronchodilators in reducing exacerbations. However, it can cause some side effects. Further study needs consider well enough of the benefits and adverse events caused by roflumilast combined with long-acting bronchodilators.

Helmet CPAP versus Oxygen Therapy in Hypoxemic Acute Respiratory Failure: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

PURPOSE: The efficacy of helmet continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in hypoxemic acute respiratory failure (hARF) remains unclear. The aim of this meta-analysis was to critically review studies that investigated the effect of helmet CPAP on gas exchange, mortality, and intubation rate in comparison with standard oxygen therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) by searching the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library, OVID, and CBM databases, and the bibliographies of the retrieved articles. Studies that enrolled adults with hARF who were treated with helmet CPAP and measured at least one of the following parameters were included: gas exchange, intubation rate, in-hospital mortality rate. RESULTS: Four studies with 377 subjects met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Compared to the standard oxygen therapy, helmet CPAP significantly increased the PaO2/FiO2 [weighted mean difference (WMD)=73.40, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 43.92 to 102.87, p<0.00001], and decreased the arterial carbon dioxide levels (WMD=-1.92, 95% CI: -3.21 to -0.63, p=0.003), intubation rate [relative risk (RR)=0.21, 95% CI: 0.11 to 0.40, p<0.00001], and in-hospital mortality rate (RR=0.22, 95% CI: 0.09 to 0.50, p=0.0004). CONCLUSION: The results of this meta-analysis suggest that helmet CPAP improves oxygenation and reduces mortality and intubation rates in hARF. However, the significant clinical and statistical heterogeneity of the literature implies that large RCTs are needed to determine the role of helmet CPAP in different hypoxemic ARF populations.

Growth and efficiency of nutrient removal by Salix jiangsuensis J172 for phytoremediation of urban wastewater.

Willows are a group of versatile tree species that may have multiple environmental applications. In the present study, Salix jiangsuensis J172 plants were grown in the fixed mats as an economic plant-based treatment system to evaluate its potential for removing nutrients in wastewater. Plants grew normally in wastewater compared with those in Hoagland solution. However, wastewater containing a high concentration of chlorine ions was toxic to S. jiangsuensis J172 plants. The plants accumulated large amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus in aboveground tissues under conditions of abundant supply. The removal efficiency for raw wastewater was 82.18-87.78 % for nitrogen, 57.35-65.58 % for phosphorus, and 58.24-59.90 % for chemical oxygen demand. Nutrient removal efficiency was positively correlated with the initial nutrient supply. The results show that S. jiangsuensis J172 grown in the fixed mat economic plant-based treatment system with nutrient-rich, eutrophic water may be an effective, low-cost phytoremediation technology to treat water containing undesirable levels of wastewater.

Efficiency of neural respiratory drive for the assessment of bronchodilator responsiveness in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: an exploratory study.

BACKGROUND: Conventional lung function parameters, such as forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and inspiratory capacity (IC) are often used to assess the therapeutic outcomes of bronchodilators, but they lack sensitivity. A novel indicator, namely efficiency of neural respiratory drive (NRD), may objectively evaluate the physiological changes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We investigated whether this indicator could be used to more accurately assess the responsiveness to inhaled bronchodilators. METHODS: Thirty-six subjects with moderate-to-severe COPD were randomized into group A (n=18) and group B (n=18). Participants in group A inhaled 400 µg placebo, 400 µg salbutamol and 80 µg ipratropium in sequence whereas those in group B had the salbutamol and ipratropium reversed. At different time points after administration of placebo or bronchodilators, evaluated indices included FEV1, FVC, IC, root mean square (RMS) of diaphragm electromyogram (EMGdi), and efficiency of NRD [herein defined as the ratio of minute ventilation (VE) to RMS, or VE/RMS]. RESULTS: FEV1, FVC, IC, RMS, and VE/RMS significantly improved after inhaled bronchodilators and VE/RMS had the largest improvement among five indices. The detection efficiency of VE/RMS was greater than FEV1, FVC, IC (all P<0.05), but not different from RMS. The accuracy and sensitivity of VE/RMS were significantly higher than FEV1, FVC, IC, and RMS (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Efficiency of NRD may be a sensitive tool to evaluate the efficacy of inhaled bronchodilators in COPD.

Fat-Free Mass Index for Evaluating the Nutritional Status and Disease Severity in COPD.

BACKGROUND: Despite the high prevalence of weight loss in subjects with COPD, the 2011 COPD management guidelines do not include an index measuring nutritional status. Fat-free mass index (FFMI) can accurately determine the nutritional status of subjects and may be closely correlated with COPD severity. We aimed to determine the nutritional status evaluated by FFMI according to the 2011 Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) levels in stable subjects with COPD and the association between nutritional status and respiratory symptoms, exercise capacity, and respiratory muscle function. METHODS: We included 235 stable subjects with COPD in this cross-sectional study. All of the subjects were divided into the 2011 GOLD Groups A, B, C, and D. FFMI (measured by bioelectrical impedance), spirometry (FEV1, percent-of-predicted FEV1, and FEV1/FVC), respiratory muscle function (peak inspiratory and peak expiratory pressures), exercise capacity (6-min walk distance), and dyspnea severity (Modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale) were measured and compared between the GOLD groups. RESULTS: Malnutrition was identified in 48.5% of subjects and most prevalent in Group D (Group A: 41%, Group B: 41%, Group C: 31%, and Group D: 62%). FFMI was significantly lower in Group D (P < .001), with both sexes considered malnourished. Low FFMI significantly correlated with frequent exacerbation, older age, decreased pulmonary function, 6-min walk distance, peak inspiratory pressure, and worsened dyspnea. FFMI was significantly lower in the emphysema-dominant phenotype and mixed phenotype compared with the normal phenotype and airway-dominant phenotype. A stepwise multiple linear regression analysis identified peak inspiratory pressures and older age as independent predictors of FFMI. CONCLUSIONS: Malnutrition is highly prevalent in all COPD groups, particularly in Group D subjects, who warrant special attention for nutritional intervention and pulmonary rehabilitation. FFMI significantly correlated with exercise capacity, dyspnea, respiratory muscle function, and pulmonary function and may be a useful predictor of COPD severity.

Variations in metal tolerance and accumulation in three hydroponically cultivated varieties of Salix integra treated with lead.

Willow species have been suggested for use in the remediation of contaminated soils due to their high biomass production, fast growth, and high accumulation of heavy metals. The tolerance and accumulation of metals may vary among willow species and varieties, and the assessment of this variability is vital for selecting willow species/varieties for phytoremediation applications. Here, we examined the variations in lead (Pb) tolerance and accumulation of three cultivated varieties of Salix integra (Weishanhu, Yizhibi and Dahongtou), a shrub willow native to northeastern China, using hydroponic culture in a greenhouse. In general, the tolerance and accumulation of Pb varied among the three willow varieties depending on the Pb concentration. All three varieties had a high tolerance index (TI) and EC50 value (the effective concentration of Pb in the nutrient solution that caused a 50% inhibition on biomass production), but a low translocation factor (TF), indicating that Pb sequestration is mainly restricted in the roots of S. integra. Among the three varieties, Dahogntou was more sensitive to the increased Pb concentration than the other two varieties, with the lowest EC50 and TI for root and above-ground tissues. In this respect, Weishanhu and Yizhibi were more suitable for phytostabilization of Pb-contaminated soils. However, our findings also indicated the importance of considering the toxicity symptoms when selecting willow varieties for the use of phytoremediation, since we also found that the three varieties revealed various toxicity symptoms of leaf wilting, chlorosis and inhibition of shoot and root growth under the higher Pb concentrations. Such symptoms could be considered as a supplementary index in screening tests.

[Pb, Zn accumulation and nutrient uptake of 15 plant species grown in abandoned mine tailings].

Vegetation restoration field test was carried out in the abandoned lead-zinc tailings for 3 years. The study showed that accumulation of lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and nutrient uptake differed with plant species and organs, heavy metals, and planting time. Pb was mainly accumulated in tree roots, and its content distribution in tree organs was generally in the order of roots > leaves > stems. But Zn concentrations in leaves of several tree species were higher than those in roots and stems. Within the tested 15 species, Cercis Canadensis had the highest concentrations of Pb and Zn in roots (1 803 and 2120 mg x kg(-1), respectively). Rhus chinensis had the highest Pb concentration in stems and leaves (280 and 546 mg x kg(-1), respectively) and Zn concentration (1 507 mg x kg(-1)) in leaves. Zn concentration in stems and leaves of Salix matsudana (729 and 1 153 mg x kg(-1), respectively) were the highest. Among the tested 15 species, TF values for Pb of Liquidambar formosana, Medicago sativa, and for Zn of Salix matsudana, Rhus chinensis, Medicago sativa were higher than 1. BCF values for Pb were all lower than 0.17, while that for Zn were all lower than 0.44. The N contents in nitrogen-fixing plants, P contents in Rhus typhina and Ailanthus altissima, and K content in Nerium indicum were significantly higher than those in other plants. With the increase of planting time, concentrations of heavy metal in plant body increased significantly; however the inverse trend were observed in nutritional element content. The species have higher metal accumulation capacity, such as Rhus chinensis, Salix matsudana and those nitrogen-fixing plants have higher tolerance to metal contamination and nutrient deficiency, such as Amorpha fruticosa, Medicago sativa, Lespedeza cuneata, and Alnus cremastogyne, they were suitable as the phytostabilizers in abandoned mine tailings.

[Effects of treating with concentrated sulfuric acid on the seed germination of ten Hibiscus hamabo provenance families].

The seeds from ten Hibiscus hamabo provenance families were treated with concentrated sulfuric acid for different durations (0, 10, 15, and 20 min) , and the seed germination rate, germination energy, and germination index, as well as the seed relative water adsorption rate, soluble sugar and starch contents, and alpha-amylase activity during the germination, were determined, aimed to study the effects of treating with concentrated sulfuric acid on the seed germination of H. hamabo and the differences of the seed germination among different H. hamabo provenance families. After treated with concentrated sulfuric acid, the seed germination rate, germination energy, and germination index increased significantly, and the germination time shortened remarkably. Treating with concentrated sulfuric acid for 15 minutes had the best effect, i. e., the germination rate, germination energy, and germination index were up to 95.7%, 91.3%, and 13.28, respectively, and the germination time was the shortest. The seed germination rate, germination energy, and germination index differed significantly with different provenance families, the highest germination index (15.13) being 2.12 times of the lowest germination index (7.15), and the highest germination energy (98.0%) being 1.77 times of the lowest one (55.5%). Treating with concentrated sulfuric acid accelerated the physiological and biochemical processes of seed germination, and the relative water absorption rate, soluble sugar content, and a-amylase activity were decreased after an initial increase, with the maximum at the early stage of germination. There was a significant negative relationship between the seed starch content and the seed germination index.

[Effects of phosphorus stress on the growth and nitrogen and phosphorus absorption of different Formosan sweet gum provenances].

Aiming at the ecological value of Formosan sweet gum (Liquidambar formosana) as a pioneer species and the status of red soil phosphorus (P) deficiency, a sand culture experiment of split design was conducted to study the responses of three-leaf stage seedlings of seven Formosan sweet gum provenances from Yixing of Jiangsu, Jingxian of Anhui, Yongkang of Zhejiang, Nanchang of Jiangxi, Shaowu of Fujian, Yanping of Fujian, and Nandan of Guangxi to four levels of P (P0, P1/2, P1, P2). With increasing P stress, the biomass and the N and P absorption of test provenances decreased, whereas the utilization efficiency increased. In higher P treatments, the provenances from Nanchang and Yixing had higher biomass and higher N and P absorption but lower utilization efficiency, while the provenance from Nandan had lower N and P absorption but higher utilization efficiency. In lower P treatments, the biomass and the P absorption and utilization efficiency of the provenances from Nanchang and Nandan were all higher. All the results illustrated that the provenances with high biomass had high P absorption at high P level, and had both high P absorption and high utilization efficiency at low P level. The provenance from Nanchang could be considered to be an excellent P stress-resistant provenance, followed by that from Nandan. Phosphorus was not a limiting nutritional factor of Formosan sweet gum, biomass, leaf delta (N/P) ratio and P efficiency could be used as the indicators of P stress-tolerance of Formosan sweet gum provenances.