Gas Exchange, Xylem Ions and Abscisic Acid Response to Na^+-Salts and Cl^--Salts in Populus euphratica

We investigated the osmotic stress and ion-specific effects on xylem abscisic acid (ABA), ion uptake and transport and gas exchange in one-year-old seedlings of Populus euphratica Oliv. Net photosynthetic rates (P-n) and unit transpiration rates (TRN) were both significantly decreased upon an osmotic shock caused by PEG 6000 solution (osmotic potential = -0.24 MPa) or a saline, which was applied by 50 mmol/L Na+-salts (NaNO3 : NaHCO3 : NaH2PO4 = 5 : 4 : 1, pH 6.8, osmotic potential = -0.24 MPa) or by 50 mmol/L Cl--salts (KCl : NH4Cl = 1:1, osmotic potential = -0.24 MPa). However, salt-treated P. euphratica plants maintained typically higher TRN than those exposed to PEG. Xylem ABA concentrations increased rapidly following the PEG treatment, exhibiting peaking values at 1 h, then returning to pre-stress levels, followed by a gradual increase. Similarly, both Na+-treated and Cl--treated trees exhibited a rapid rise of ABA after salt stress was initiated. Notably, salt-treated plants maintained a relatively higher ABA than PEG-treated plants in a longer term. Collectively, results suggest that osmotic stress and ion-specific effects were both responsible for salt-induced ABA in P. euphratica : the initial rapid increase of xylem ABA appears to be a consequence of an osmotic shock, whereas specific salt effects seem to be responsible for ABA accumulation later on. Compared with Cl--treated trees, a higher inhibitory effect on gas exchange (P-n and TRN) was observed in Na+-salt plants, resulting from its long-sustained ABA and higher salt concentrations in the xylem. Displacement of membrane-associated Ca2+ by Na+ and the lesser capacity in Na+ compartmentation in root vacuoles likely contribute to the high influx of Na+ and Cl- in Na+-treated plants. Xylem K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations were elevated by external Na+ -salts and Cl--salts, suggesting that P. euphratica maintained a higher capacity in nutrient uptake under saline conditions, which makes a contribution to its salinity tolerance.

Isolation of Protoplast and Ion Channel Recording in Plasma Membrane of Suspension Cells of Populus euphratica

The authors used suspension cells of Populus euphratica to isolate protoplast in the present study. Protoplasts were successfully obtained after 4 hours incubation in enzyme solution containing 1 0% cellulase “onozuka” R\|10, 0\^01% pectolyase Y\|23,0\^15% macerozyme R\|10 and 0\^1% hemicellulase at 25℃. Outward and inward single channels in plasma membrane were observed using cell\|attached recording of patch\|clamp technique. In this study, single channel records showed that more than one species of channel were obtained. These attempts in protoplast isolation and ion channel recording offers the opportunity to characterize cellular mechanisms of salt tolerance in tree species.

Hydrogel amendment to sandy soil reduces irrigation frequency and improves the biomass of Agrostis stolonifera

Soil water potential indicates the water status of the soil and the need for irrigation. The effect of hydrogel amendment to the upper sand soil layer on water infiltration into the lower un-amended sand layer, irrigation frequency, water use efficiency and biomass production of Agrostis stolonifera was investigated. The upper 25 cm sand layer in three identical buckets was amended at 0.4%, 0.2% and a control (no hydrogel) while the lower 25 cm sand layer separated from the upper layer by a wire mesh in the same buckets was un-amended. Agrostis stolonifera seeds were sown in each bucket and adequately irrigated using a hand sprayer. Potential meter electrodes were inserted at three random positions in each of the buckets and subsequent irrigations were done when a pressure of 600 bars was recorded in any of the three treatments. Data were collected on irrigation frequency, water content in the lower layer, water use efficiency and biomass production of Agrostis stolonifera. The mean water potential in the lower 25 cm layer un-amended sand was significantly more negative in the 0.4% hydrogel than in the control. More water content (10%) was recorded in the lower layer under the control bucket than in either the 0.2% and 0.4% hydrogel amended buckets. The frequency of irrigation was three-fold in the control compared to the 0.4% hydrogel amended sand. The hydrogel amended sand significantly increased the shoot and root biomass of Agrostis stolonifera by 2.2 and 4 times respectively compared to the control. The 0.4% hydrogel amendment in sand increased the water use efficiency of grass eight fold with respect to the control. The hydrogel stimulated development of a dense root network and root aggregation that increased contact of the roots with moisture thus improving water use efficiency of hydrogel amended soil. The results suggest that hydrogels can improve sandy soil properties for plant growth by absorbing and keeping water longer in the soil matrix thus reducing watering frequency.

Effects of Hydrogels on Tree Seedling Performance in Temperate Soils before and after Water Stress

Super Absorbent Polyacrylate (SAP) hydrogels absorb and store water thereby aiding plant establishment when incurporated in the soil. The effect of cross-linked SAP hydrogel amendment on the performance of tree seedlings of Picea abies, Pinus sylivestris and Fagus sylvatica grown in temperate soils under water stress and non-water stress periods was investigated in a green house. The objective was to compare the root and shoot biomass of seedlings of the three species grown in sand, loam and clay soils amended with 0.4% w/w hydrogel in non water stress conditions as well as survival, root and shoot biomass after subjection to water stress. The seedlings were grown for 16 weeks, harvested and shoot as well as root biomass determined before water stress. The seedlings were also subjected to water stress and their biomass assessed at death following the water stress. The results showed that root and shoot biomass were generally higher in hydrogel amended soils compared to the controls. Root and shoot biomass of Fagus sylvatica was lower compared to Picea abies and Pinus sylivestris before water stress. The 0.4% hydrogel amendment significantly increased species’ survival in the different soils studied. Although root biomass was higher in hydrogel amended sandy soil compared to other soils, P. sylivestris and F. sylvatica shoot biomass were higher in hydrogel amended clay and loam soils compared to the sandy soil after water stress. Biomass was higher in sand compared to loam and clay soils under non-water and water stressed conditions. Since SAP hydrogel amendment improved the survival and biomass production of tree seedlings before and after water stress, use of SAPs could be promoted to enhance seedling production in water stress and non-water stress environments.

盐胁迫下胡杨和毛白杨叶细胞中的离子区隔化

该文以抗盐的胡杨和盐敏感的毛白杨组培再生苗为实验材料,利用X--射线微区分析技术研究盐胁迫下(为期20d的盐处理)叶片各种类型细胞内主要元素Na+、Cl-、K+的分布情况,测定的细胞类型包括:①叶脉细胞(叶脉维管束导管、叶脉维管束内部和外部的薄壁细胞);②叶肉细胞(栅栏组织、海绵组织);③表皮细胞(上、下表皮细胞).结果表明,胡杨和毛白杨叶细胞对盐离子的区隔化有明显差异:与毛白杨相比,盐处理后的胡杨叶细胞不但具有较高的拒Na+能力,即将Na+贮存在质外体中,而且液泡区隔Na+的能力也强于毛白杨.在Cl-的区隔化方面,对照处理胡杨各种类型的细胞(包括叶脉、叶肉和表皮细胞)Cl-浓度都高于毛白杨,但在盐胁迫下,胡杨叶片的细胞壁、液泡甚至叶绿体中Cl-的含量都低于毛白杨,这是胡杨根细胞限制Cl-离子根冠运输的结果.盐处理使胡杨叶片各种类型细胞中的K+浓度降低;与胡杨不同,毛白杨叶片细胞中质外体的K+浓度下降,而液泡中的K+水平却相应提高,这是毛白杨细胞内K+重新分配的结果:由于盐处理后毛白杨液泡内积累了过多的Cl-,K+从细胞壁进入液泡,用以平衡液泡内Cl-积累所带来的负电荷.

钾磷缺乏对辽杨中多胺含量的影响

钾磷水平变化对辽杨中多胺含量有显著的影响。随着钾水平的降低,叶和根中腐胺含量大幅度增加,尤其是根中更为显著。它们的最高含量分别是同一时期对照的23倍和85倍。然而,磷水平的变化对叶和根中腐胺含量没有明显的影响。研究表明,钾对腐胺代谢有着灵敏的调节作用,腐胺含量可作为辽杨需钾的生化指标。缺钾和缺磷都使叶和根中精胺含量明显下降,叶中更为显著。在所有处理中,精胺含量与其相应部位的生物量积累有一定的相关性,表明精胺与生长之间可能存在着密切联系。