Heavy metals in soils

In addition to the often-cited advantages of using Arabidopsis thaliana as a model system in plant biological research (1), Arabidopsis has many additional characteristics that make it an attractive experimental organism for studying lea d (Pb) accumulation and tolerance in plants. These include its fortuitous familial relationship to many known metal hyperaccumulators (Brassicaceae), as well as similar Pbaccumulation patterns to most other plants. Using nutrient-agar plates, hydroponic culture, and Pb-contaminated soils as growth media, we found significant variation in Arabidopsis thaliana ecotypes in accumulation and tolerance of Pb. In addition, we have found that Pb accumulation is not obligatorily linked with Pb tolerance, suggesti ng that different genetic factors control these two processes. We also screened ethyl methanesulfonate-mutagenized M2 populations and identified several Pb-accumulating mutants. Current characterization of these mutants indicates that their phenotypes are likely due to alteration of general metal ion uptake or translocation processes since these mutants also accumulate many other metals in shoots. We expect that further characterization of the ecotypes and mutants will shed light on the basic genetic and physiological underpinnings of plant-based Pb remediation. 7. Aromatic nitroreduction of acifluorfen in soils, rhizospheres, and pure cultures of rhizobacteria. Zablotowicz, R. M., Locke, M. A., and Hoagland, R. E. Phytoremediation of soil and water contaminants. Washington, DC : American Chemical Society, 1997. p. 38-53. NAL Call #: QD1.A45-no.664 Abstract: Reduction of nitroaromatic compounds to their corresponding amino derivatives is one of several pathways in the degradation of nitroxenobiotics. Our studies with the nitrodiphenyl ether herbicide acifluorfen showed rapid metabolism to am inoacifluorfen followed by incorporation into unextractable soil components in both soil and rhizosphere suspensions. Aminoacifluorfen was formed more rapidly in rhizospheres compared to soil, which can be attributed to higher microbial populations, espec ially of Gram-negative bacteria. We identified several strains of Pseudomonas fluorescens that possess nitroreductase activity capable of converting acifluorfen to aminoacifluorfen. Factors affecting acifluorfen nitroreductase activity in pure cultures an d cell-free extracts, and other catabolic transformations of acifluorfen, ether bond cleavage, are discussed. Plant rhizospheres should be conducive for aromatic nitroreduction. Nitroreduction by rhizobacteria is an important catabolic pathway for the ini tial degradation of various nitroherbicides and other nitroaromatic compounds in soils under Reduction of nitroaromatic compounds to their corresponding amino derivatives is one of several pathways in the degradation of nitroxenobiotics. Our studies with the nitrodiphenyl ether herbicide acifluorfen showed rapid metabolism to am inoacifluorfen followed by incorporation into unextractable soil components in both soil and rhizosphere suspensions. Aminoacifluorfen was formed more rapidly in rhizospheres compared to soil, which can be attributed to higher microbial populations, espec ially of Gram-negative bacteria. We identified several strains of Pseudomonas fluorescens that possess nitroreductase activity capable of converting acifluorfen to aminoacifluorfen. Factors affecting acifluorfen nitroreductase activity in pure cultures an d cell-free extracts, and other catabolic transformations of acifluorfen, ether bond cleavage, are discussed. Plant rhizospheres should be conducive for aromatic nitroreduction. Nitroreduction by rhizobacteria is an important catabolic pathway for the ini tial degradation of various nitroherbicides and other nitroaromatic compounds in soils under phytoremediation management. 8. Ascorbate: a biomarker of herbicide stress in wetland plants. Lytle, T. F. and Lytle, J. S. Phytoremediation of soil and water contaminants. Washington, DC : American Chemical Society, 1997. p. 106-113. NAL Call #: QD1.A45-no.664 Abstract: In laboratory exposures of wetland plants to low herbicide levels (<0.1 micrograms/mL), some plants showed increased total ascorbic acid suggesting a stimulatory effect on ascorbic acid synthesis occurred; at higher herbicide conce ntrations (greater than or equal to 0.1 micrograms/mL) a notable decline in total ascorbic acid and increase in the oxidized form, dehydroascorbic acid occurred. Vigna luteola and Sesbania vesicaria were exposed for 7 and 21 days respectively to atrazine (0.05 to 1 microgram/mL); Spartina alterniflora 28 days at 0.1 micrograms/mL trifluralin; Hibiscus moscheutos 14 days at 0.1 and 1 microgram/mL metolachlor in fresh and brackish water. The greatest increase following low dosage occurred with S. alterniflo ra, increasing from <600 micrograms/g wet wt. total ascorbic acid to >1000 micrograms/g. Ascorbic acid may be a promising biomarker of estuarine plants exposed to herbicide runoff; stimulation of ascorbic acid synthesis may enable some wetland plant s used in phytoremediation to cope with low levels of these compounds. In laboratory exposures of wetland plants to low herbicide levels (<0.1 micrograms/mL), some plants showed increased total ascorbic acid suggesting a stimulatory effect on ascorbic acid synthesis occurred; at higher herbicide conce ntrations (greater than or equal to 0.1 micrograms/mL) a notable decline in total ascorbic acid and increase in the oxidized form, dehydroascorbic acid occurred. Vigna luteola and Sesbania vesicaria were exposed for 7 and 21 days respectively to atrazine (0.05 to 1 microgram/mL); Spartina alterniflora 28 days at 0.1 micrograms/mL trifluralin; Hibiscus moscheutos 14 days at 0.1 and 1 microgram/mL metolachlor in fresh and brackish water. The greatest increase following low dosage occurred with S. alterniflo ra, increasing from <600 micrograms/g wet wt. total ascorbic acid to >1000 micrograms/g. Ascorbic acid may be a promising biomarker of estuarine plants exposed to herbicide runoff; stimulation of ascorbic acid synthesis may enable some wetland plant s used in phytoremediation to cope with low levels of these compounds. 9. Atmospheric nitrogenous compounds and ozone--is NO(x) fixation by plants a possible solution. Wellburn, A. R. New phytol. 139: 1 pp. 5-9. (May 1998). NAL Call #: 450-N42 Descriptors: ozoneair-pollution nitrogen-dioxide nitric-oxide air-quality tolerancebioremediationacclimatizationnutrient-sources nutrient-uptake plantscultivarsgenetic-variation literature-reviews 10. Atrazine degradation in pesticide-contaminated soils: phytoremediation potential. Kruger, E. L., Anhalt, J. C., Sorenson, D., Nelson, B., Chouhy, A. L., Anderson, T. A., and Coats, J. R. Phytoremediation of soil and water contaminants. Washington, DC : American Chemical Society, 1997. p. 54-64. NAL Call #: QD1.A45-no. 664 Abstract: Studies were conducted in the laboratory to determine the fate of atrazine in pesticide-contaminated soils from agrochemical dealer sites. No significant differences in atrazine concentrations occurred in soils treated with atrazine i ndividually or combinations with metolachlor and trifluralin. In a screening study carried out in soils from four agrochemical dealer sites, rapid mineralization of atrazine occurred in three out of eight soils tested, with the greatest amount occurring i n Bravo rhizosphere soil (35% of the applied atrazine after 9 weeks). Suppression of atrazine mineralization in the Bravo rhizosphere soil did not occur with the addition of high concentrations of herbicide mixtures, but instead was increased. Plants had a positive impact on dissipation of aged Studies were conducted in the laboratory to determine the fate of atrazine in pesticide-contaminated soils from agrochemical dealer sites. No significant differences in atrazine concentrations occurred in soils treated with atrazine i ndividually or combinations with metolachlor and trifluralin. In a screening study carried out in soils from four agrochemical dealer sites, rapid mineralization of atrazine occurred in three out of eight soils tested, with the greatest amount occurring i n Bravo rhizosphere soil (35% of the applied atrazine after 9 weeks). Suppression of atrazine mineralization in the Bravo rhizosphere soil did not occur with the addition of high concentrations of herbicide mixtures, but instead was increased. Plants had a positive impact on dissipation of aged atrazine in soil, with significantly less atrazine extractable from Kochia-vegetated soils than from nonvegetated soils. 11. Bacterial inoculants of forage grasses that enhance degradation of 2-chlorobenzoic acid in soil. Siciliano, S. D. and Germida, J. J. Environ toxicol chem. 16: 6 pp. 1098-1104. (June 1997). NAL Call #: QH545.A1E58 Descriptors: polluted-soils bioremediationAbstract: Biological remediation of contaminated soil is an effective method of reducing risk to human and ecosystem health. Bacteria and plants might be used to enhance remediation of soil pollutants in situ. This study assessed the potential of bacteria (12 isolates), plants (16 forage grasses), and plant-bacteria associations (selected pairings) to remediate 2-chlorobenzoic acid (2CBA)-contaminated soil. Initially, grass viability was assessed in 2CBA-contaminated soil. Soil was contaminated wi th 2CBA, forage grasses were grown under growth chamber conditions for 42 or 60 d, and the 2CBA concentration in soil was determined by gas chromatography. Only five of 16 forage grasses grew in 2CBA-treated (816 mg/kg) soil. Growth of Bromus inermis had no effect on 2CBA concentration, whereas Agropyron intermedium, B. biebersteinii, A. riparum, and Elymus dauricus decreased 2CBA relative to nonplanted control soil by 32 to 42%. The 12 bacteria isolates were screened for their ability to promote the germ ination of the five grasses in 2CBA-contaminated soil. Inoculation of A. riparum with Pseudomonas aeruginos

Phytoremediation : 植物による環境/土壌浄化

This review presents a comprehensive and systematic study of the field of plant biostimulants and considers the fundamental and innovative principles underlying this technology. The elucidation of the biological basis of biostimulant function is a prerequisite for the development of science-based biostimulant industry and sound regulations governing these compounds. The task of defining the biological basis of biostimulants as a class of compounds, however, is made more complex by the diverse sources of biostimulants present in the market, which include bacteria, fungi, seaweeds, higher plants, animals and humate-containing raw materials, and the wide diversity of industrial processes utilized in their preparation. To distinguish biostimulants from the existing legislative product categories we propose the following definition of a biostimulant as ‘a formulated product of biological origin that improves plant productivity as a consequence of the novel or emergent properties of the complex of constituents, and not as a sole consequence of the presence of known essential plant nutrients, plant growth regulators, or plant protective compounds’. The definition provided here is important as it emphasizes the principle that biological function can be positively modulated through application of molecules, or mixtures of molecules, for which an explicit mode of action has not been defined. Given the difficulty in determining a ‘mode of action’ for a biostimulant, and recognizing the need for the market in biostimulants to attain legitimacy, we suggest that the focus of biostimulant research and validation should be upon proof of efficacy and safety and the determination of a broad mechanism of action, without a requirement for the determination of a specific mode of action. While there is a clear commercial imperative to rationalize biostimulants as a discrete class of products, there is also a compelling biological case for the science-based development of, and experimentation with biostimulants in the expectation that this may lead to the identification of novel biological molecules and phenomenon, pathways and processes, that would not have been discovered if the category of biostimulants did not exist, or was not considered legitimate.

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Biostimulants in Plant Science: A Global Perspective.

Titanium (Ti) is considered a beneficial element for plant growth. Ti applied via roots or leaves at low concentrations has been documented to improve crop performance through stimulating the activity of certain enzymes, enhancing chlorophyll content and photosynthesis, promoting nutrient uptake, strengthening stress tolerance, and improving crop yield and quality. Commercial fertilizers containing Ti, such as Tytanit and Mg-Titanit, have been used as biostimulants for improving crop production; however, mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects still remain unclear. In this article, we propose that the beneficial roles Ti plays in plants lie in its interaction with other nutrient elements primarily iron (Fe). Fe and Ti have synergistic and antagonistic relationships. When plants experience Fe deficiency, Ti helps induce the expression of genes related to Fe acquisition, thereby enhancing Fe uptake and utilization and subsequently improving plant growth. Plants may have proteins that either specifically or nonspecifically bind with Ti. When Ti concentration is high in plants, Ti competes with Fe for ligands or proteins. The competition could be severe, resulting in Ti phytotoxicity. As a result, the beneficial effects of Ti become more pronounced during the time when plants experience low or deficient Fe supply.

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Titanium as a Beneficial Element for Crop Production

Heavy metal contamination in herbal medicines is a global threat to human beings especially at levels above known threshold concentrations. The concentrations of five heavy metals cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg) and copper (Cu) were investigated using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) with 1773 samples around the world. According to Chinese Pharmacopoeia, 30.51% (541) samples were detected with at least one over-limit metal. The over-limit ratio for Pb was 5.75% (102), Cd at 4.96% (88), As at 4.17% (74), Hg at 3.78% (67), and of Cu, 1.75% (31). For exposure assessment, Pb, Cd, As, and Hg have resulted in higher than acceptable risks in 25 kinds of herbs. The maximal Estimated Daily Intake of Pb in seven herbs, of Cd in five, of Hg in four, and As in three exceeded their corresponding Provisional Tolerable Daily Intakes. In total 25 kinds of herbs present an unacceptable risk as assessed with the Hazard Quotient or Hazard Index. Additionally, the carcinogenic risks were all under acceptable limits. Notably, As posed the highest risk in all indicators including Estimated Daily Intake, Hazard Index, and carcinogenic risks. Therefore further study on enrichment effect of different states of As and special attention to monitoring shall be placed on As related contamination.

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Heavy Metal Contaminations in Herbal Medicines: Determination, Comprehensive Risk Assessments, and Solutions.

Several studies conducted at present concern the application of biostimulants in intensive plant growing. Titanium is an element exhibiting characteristics of a biostimu- lant. The aim of the conducted analyses was to evaluate the effect of the application of ti- tanium on plant nutrition, their yielding as well as contents of macronutrients and biologi- cal value of fruits in tomato grown on rockwool. The following levels of titanium were analysed: the control (no titanium applied), Ti-I (corresponding to an annual dose of 80 g Ti�� ha -1 ), Ti-II (240 g Ti�� ha -1 ), Ti-III (480 g Ti�� ha -1 ) and Ti-IV (960 g Ti�� ha -1 ). The source of titanium was "Tytanit" fertilizer (Intermag Olkusz). In the conducted study a significant effect of titanium application was found at the Ti-IV level on the produced total and marketable yields, at the simultaneous increase in the yield of fruits with the greatest diameters (classes I, II and III) in comparison to the other tested combinations. A significant effect of Ti was found on an increase in contents in the index parts of plants in case of nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium (the greatest contents of N, P, Ca and Mg recorded at Ti-IV) as well as potassium (the highest content at Ti-I). A general trend was observed (except for Ti-II) for an increase in nitrogen content in fruits under the influence of titanium application, at a simultaneous lack of effect on contents of phospho- rus and potassium. In case of calcium and magnesium the recorded changes were multi- faceted. No significant effect of titanium was observed on contents of dry matter and sug- ars in fruits, as well as their active acidity. At the same time a significant variation of vi- tamin C contents in fruits was recorded, depending on the level of titanium nutrition of plants.

http://hortorumcultus.actapol.net/volume12/issue3/12_3_117.pdf

Application of "Tytanit" in greenhouse tomato growing.

The aim of our studies was to determine the suitability of organic substrate: peat, coconut fiber with a 20% admixture of chips, and coconut fiber with a 40% admixture of chips (as alternative substrates in relation to rockwool) in intensive horticultural cultures with fertigation adopted as the fertilization method. Tomato was the model plant in this study. Evaluations comprised yielding of plants, contents of macro- and microelements in leaves and fruits, plus changes in the counts of different groups of microorganisms: bacteria, fungi, Actinomycetes, and dehydrogenase activity in the root medium of plants during their vegetation. The significantly highest total yield of plants was found in the case of plants grown in peat and in coconut fiber with a higher (40%) content of chips (9.28 kg·m -2 each) in relation to rockwool (8.35 kg·m -2 ). A similar trend was recorded in the case of commercial yield. Applied substrates significantly modified yielding fruit of grades IVI. Despite the recorded significant modifying effect of the substrate on nutrient contents in leaves and fruits of plants grown in it, no visual symptoms of their deficiencies were observed, which indicates an adequate plant nutrition in both rockwool and organic substrates. Analyzed organic substrates are perfectly suitable for application in intensive culture of vegetables under cover. After the completion of the plants’ cultivation cycle they become valuable organic fertilizer, exhibiting advantageous microbiological parameters, i.e. relatively high counts of fungi, bacteria, and Actinomycetes, as well as dehydrogenase activity, which may improve the fertility of the soil on which they have been utilized.

Organic Substrates for Intensive Horticultural Cultures: Yield and Nutrient Status of Plants, Microbiological Parameters of Substrates

The type of the applied nitrogen fertiliser plays a significant role in plant nutri- tion. Supplying plants with potassium in the form of chloride, sulphate or salpetre signifi- cantly modifies the chemical composition of plants, as anions accompanying potassium serve different functions. The vegetation experiment on the cultivation of red pepper cv. 'Cyklon' was conducted in 2005 and 2006 in a plastic tunnel in rings (V = 5 dm 3 ) filled with mineral soil and highmoor peat (3:2). The response of plants to three potassium salts KCl, K2SO4 and KNO3 was determined at two levels of nitrogen-potassium fertilization of 250 mg N and NH4NO3 and 300 mg K, as well as 350 mg N and 400 mg K·dm -3 substrate, at constant levels of the other macro- and microelements. Biometric measurements of plants were taken and the volume of fruit yield was determined. It was found that the type of potassium fertilizer at the two levels of nitrogen and potassium fertilization did not have a significant effect on total and marketable yields of fruits in red pepper cv. 'Cyk- lon', plant height, total and marketable fruit numbers as well as fresh weight of a single fruit. It was shown that a higher level of nitrogen and potassium fertilization (350 N and 400 K mg dm -3 substrate) had a positive effect on the analyzed biometric parameters of fruits, except for fresh weight of a single fruit. Results of these investigations, confirmed by other authors, critically refer to the division of vegetable crops developed by Th. Geissler and Buchner into chloride- and sulfate-loving vegetable crops.

http://hortorumcultus.actapol.net/volume11/issue4/11_4_3.pdf

Yielding of red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) under the influence of varied potassium fertilization.

Studies were carried out in the years 2005–2007 with greenhouse tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) cv. ‘Emotion F1’ grown in rockwool with the recirculating and non-recirculating nutrient solution systems. No significant differences were found in yields of fruits in both systems. In the recirculating system there was more intensive accumulation of sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), chloride (Cl), and zinc (Zn) in the root environment. Leaves of tomato grown in the recirculating nutrient solution system showed a higher content of Ca, magnesium (Mg), and Zn. There were no differences in the contents of nitrates and nitrites in fruits. In the recirculating system, the following savings were recorded: 42.5% of water and (in%): 42.1 nitrogen (N)- ammonium (NH4), 56.0 N- nitrate (NO3), 31.4 phosphorus (P), 52.1 potassium (K), 63.5 Ca, 47.9 magnesium (Mg), 49.4 sulfur (S)- sulfate (SO4), 51.9 Cl, 50.9 iron (Fe), 47.9 Zn, 24.6 manganese (Mn), 53.3 copper (Cu) and 47.2 boron (B). A high effectiveness in decreasing of ...

Comparison of yield, nutrient solution changes and nutritional status of greenhouse tomato grown in recirculating and non-recirculating nutrient solution systems

Increasing nitrogen nutrition had a significant effect on the yield of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). The highest yield of leaves, stalks and herb was obtained using 1.8g N/plant (1.2 g pre-vegetationally + 0.6 g N/plant after the first harvest). The yield of herb obtained in second harvest were higher than those from the first one.

Bartosz Markiewicz

Papers

Application of "Tytanit" in greenhouse tomato growing.

Organic Substrates for Intensive Horticultural Cultures: Yield and Nutrient Status of Plants, Microbiological Parameters of Substrates

Yielding of red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) under the influence of varied potassium fertilization.

Comparison of yield, nutrient solution changes and nutritional status of greenhouse tomato grown in recirculating and non-recirculating nutrient solution systems

Effect of increasing nitrogen doses and harvest terms on the growth and development of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). Part I