Effects of Silicon Formulations on Cold Tolerance of Rice Seedlings

To investigate the effects of silicon formulations on the cold tolerance of rice seedlings,Song Japonica 16(not cold tolerant)and Dongnong 427(cold tolerant)rice varieties were used as test materials and four different types of silicon formulations,Si-50-G,Si-60-G,Si-T-G,and Si-E-G,were applied as foliar sprays at the seedling stage,and a control group CK(equal amount of distilled water)was set up.One week after the first silicon spray,two types of rice were subjected to low-temperature stress treatments at day/night temperatures of 12℃/10℃for 2,4,6,and 8 days.The effects of different silicon formulations on the chlorophyll,proline(Pro)and soluble sugar contents as well as superoxide dismutase(SOD),peroxidase(POD)and catalase(CAT)activities of rice seedlings under low-temperature stress were compared to find out the effects of silicon formulations on the cold tolerance of rice seedlings.The results showed that silicon formulations could significantly increase the chlorophyll content of rice seedling leaves,with Si-50-G being the most effective,with a significant increment of 40.17%compared to the CK at 2 days of low temperature.Four silicon formulations significantly increased the proline content and soluble sugar content of rice leaves at low temperature for 4-8 days.For Song Japonica 16,the most significant increment in leaf POD activity was observed in Si-E-G treatment at 2,4 and 8 days of temperature stress,with 73.58%,20.95%and 217.24%increases compared to the CK,respectively.For 4 and 6 days of temperature stress,the most significant increase in CAT activity was observed in Si-E-G treatment,with 25.70%and 75.78%increases compared to the CK,respectively.For Dongnong 427,the Si-60-G treatment showed the highest increase in leaf SOD activity for 4 and 8 days of temperature stress,with significant increases of 58.15%and 82.76%compared to the CK,respectively,and the Si-E-G treatment showed the highest increase in leaf POD activity for 2 and 8 days of temperature stress,with significant increases of 97.75%and 245.10%compared to the CK,respectively.It showed that the spraying of silicon formulations could significantly enhance the cold tolerance of rice.This study provided a scientific basis for the rational use of silicon formulations to enhance cold tolerance in rice and had important theoretical and practical significance for ensuring sustainable high and stable rice yields in Heilongjiang Province,as well as for the development of silicon fertilizers.

Effects of Flooding Stress on Growth and Root Physiology and Biochemistry of Grafted Red-seed Watermelon Seedlings

[Objectives]This study was conducted to explore how to improve the waterlogging tolerance of red-seed watermelon through grafting,to provide a theoretical basis for its cultivation in rainy season.[Methods]The effects of flooding stress on the growth and root physiological and biochemical characteristics of grafted and own-rooted red-seed watermelon seedlings were studied using Luffa as rootstocks and"Zhongxin 1"red-seed watermelon as scions.[Results]After flooding stress,the biomass and root activity of grafted seedlings of red-seed watermelon were significantly higher than those of own-rooted seedlings.With the prolongation of flooding stress time,the soluble sugar and proline content showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing,and the grafted seedlings had a larger increase and a smaller decrease,and were always significantly higher than own-rooted seedlings in the same period.The content of malondialdehyde in the root system of grafted seedlings increased first and then decreased,while it continued to increase in own-rooted seedlings,and the increase in own-rooted seedlings was significantly greater than that in grafted seedlings during the same period.[Conclusions]Grafting on Luffa rootstocks could improve waterlogging tolerance of red-seed watermelon.

Effects of Taurine on Physiological Properties of Lyium bararum L. Seedlings

[Objective] The study was to investigate the relationship between taurine and physiological activities of Lyium bararum seedlings. [Method] Through applying different concentrations of taurine(0, 10, 100, 500, 1 000, 5 000 mg/L), the photosynthetic rate(Pn), stomatal conductance(Gs), and the activities of membrane protective enzymes superoxide dismutase(SOD) and peroxidase (POD) in the treated L. bararum seedlings were measured. [Result] Treatment of proper taurine concentration could to some extent enhance Pn and increase the POD and SOD activities, and meanwhile decreased the Gs and MDA content. And the optimum application amount of taurine was determined to be 500 mg/L. [Conclusion] Proper concentration of taurine has protective effects on the cell membrane of L. bararum seedlings.

Effects of sodium benzoate on growth and physiological characteristics of wheat seedlings under compound heavy metal stress

In this study, we investigated the effect of exogenous sodium benzoate on wheat seedlings(Yangmai 16) grown under heavy metal stress. The results showed that 2.4 mmol kg-1 of heavy metals significantly inhibited growth and delayed emergence of wheat seedlings. Under compound heavy metal stress, application of 2-4 g L^-1 sodium benzoate significantly increased(P<0.01) chlorophyll content and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters Fv/Fm and Fv/Fo of wheat, compared to the control(water treatment). Further analysis showed that application of 2-4 g L^-1 sodium benzoate alleviated osmotic stress by promoting the accumulation of osmolytes such as soluble proteins and free proline, increased the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD) and reduced malondialdehyde content(MDA). In contrast, higher concentrations of sodium benzoate solution(>6 g L^-1) inhibited the growth of wheat seedlings and even caused damage to seedlings. Correlation analysis showed that when the sodium benzoate concentration was in the range of 1.97-3.12 g L^-1(2016) and 1.58-3.27 g L^-1(2017), values of chlorophyll and its components, root activity, SOD activity, soluble protein, and free proline content were the highest. When the sodium benzoate concentration was raised to 2.59 g L^-1(2016) or 3.02 g L^-1(2017), MDA content was the lowest. Ultimately, exogenous sodium benzoate(2-4 g L^-1) facilitates root development and improves the root activity of wheat seedlings grown under compound heavy metals stress, thereby effectively alleviating the damage of compound heavy metal stress in wheat seedlings.

Effect of Water Control before Transplanting and Rooting Powder Treatment on Tobacco Seedling Quality and Physiological Properties at Green Stage

Cultivating strong seedlings is an important guarantee for the production of high-quality flue-cured tobacco, while there are many disadvantages in tobacco floating system that is commonly adopted in China. To improve the tobacco floating system, with Xiangyan No.3 as experimental material, the effects of water control before transplanting and rooting powder treatment on tobacco seedling quality and physiological properties at green stage were investigated. The results showed that： （1） water control showed small influence on tobacco seedling quality, while rooting powder treatment and water control ＋ rooting powder treatment showed great influence on tobacco seedling quality, mainly represented by reduced plant height, thickened stem and increased dry matter accumulative amount; （2） water control before transplanting and rooting powder treatment all improved leaf chlorophyll content and root vigor of tobacco seedlings, and the effect of water control ＋ rooting powder treatment was best, followed by rooting powder treatment and water control; （3） all treatments increased the nitrate reductase and invertase activity, and reduced the MDA content of tobacco seedlings, and the effect of water control ＋ rooting powder treatment was best, followed by rooting powder treatment and water control. Mean- while, the treatment effect 10 d before the transplanting was better than that 5 d before the transplanting. In overall, the improvement effects of water control 10 d before transplanting ＋ rooting powder treatment on tobacco seedling quality and physiological properties at green stage were the best.

Effect of Different Kinds of Growth-promoting Rhizobacteria on Physiological and Biochemical Characteristics of Medicago sative Linn. Seedlings under the Stress of Na_2CO_3

[Objective] The study aimed to explore the influences of Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria（PGPR）on salt tolerance and physiological effect of seedlings of Medicago sative L.[Method] Three different kinds of growth-promoting rhizobacteria solutions were used to spray on M.sative seedlings and the influences of different kinds of growth-promoting rhizobacteria on physiological and biochemical characteristics of M.sative seedlings under 75 mmol/L of Na2CO3 were studied.[Results] Compared with the control group,the chlorophyll,free proline,soluble sugar and soluble protein content of M.sative seedlings treated with different kinds of growth-promoting rhizobacteria were increased,while the effect of CS3 treatment was the best.[Conclusion] The growth-promoting rhizobacteria could promote growth and development of M.sative as well as increased its resistance.

Effect of La-Gly on Physiological and Biochemical Characteristics of Glycine max Seedling under Pb Stress

The physiological and biochemical characteristics of Glycine max seedlings were changed under the high concentration of Pb stress, in which the malony dialdehyde (MDA) content, plasmalemma, activities of catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) were increased drastically. The damage effects of Pb were reduced when 15 mg . L-1 La-Gly was used to spray Glycine max seedlings. The results of La-Gly treatment show that the effects are related to the decrease of Pb content in plants, the increase of photosynthetic rate and nitrate reductase (NR) activity, decrease of MDA content and cell membrane permeability, and maintenance of activities of CAT and POD.

Influences of Different UV-B Radiation Treatments in Short Time on Some Physiological Characteristics of Winter Wheat Seedlings

[Objective] studying the influences of different UV-B radiation treatments in short time on some physiological characteristics of winter wheat seedlings was to provide reference for the mechanism of plant response to ultraviolet irradiation in short time. [Method] The winter wheat taken as materials were treated with 15 and 30 pW/cm^2 UV-B radiation, then the physiological indexes such as pigment content and photosynthetic rate were determined. [ Results] The UV-B treatment caused the declines of chlorophyll content, soluble protein content and water content of leaves, besides, dose-effect was existed. The decline of 30 pW/cm^2 treatment was bigger than that of 15 μW/cm^2 treatment. The influences of UV-B radiation on carotenoid content and anthocyanidin content were similar; the change trends were declined firstly then increased. The UVB treatment with two doses restrained the electron transport of PSⅡ, particularly; the inhibitory effect was biggest after treated 2 h, and then this effect was declined in 4, 6 and 8 h, so the dose-effect was existed. The UV-B radiation with two doses restricted photosynthetic rate and the inhibitory effect increased with the increase of treatment time. The high dose treatment caused huge damage to membrane system, while the result of low dose treatment was not obvious. [ Conclusion] UV-B radiation treatment had dose-effect on winter wheat seedlings in short time and the influence of high dose was bigger than that of low dose. With the increase of treatment time, the damage was alleviated; besides, the result was not similar to that of UV-B radiation in long time.

Effect of 6-BA on Physiological Changes in Two Palm Seedlings Under Varied Temperaures

The effects of 6-benzylaminopurine （6-BA） on several physiological indexes of Caryota mitis and C. obtusa seedlings treated at varied temperatures were conducted, the leaves of the two palm species were sprayed with 0, 25, 50 and 100 mg · L1 6-BA solutions, the activities of superoxide dismutase （SOD）, peroxidase （POD）, and the contents of malondialdehyde （MDA）, proline, soluble protein, chlorophyll and chlorophyll a/b were determined under 25 ℃, 5 ℃ and 25 ℃ for 24 h, respectively. The dynamics of a series of important physiological components derived from the leaves were studied. It was indicated that all the above mentioned physiological indexes varied with different concentrations of 6-BA and temperature. The fuzzy comprehensive evaluation values for different concentrations of 6-BA at the recovery temperature 25℃ were 0.33, 0.28, 0.92 and 0.33, respectively for C. mitis, and 0.20, 0.49, 0.56 and 0.63, respectively for C. obtusa. It was concluded that leaves sprayed with different concentrations of 6-BA could affect the cold tolerance of palm seedlings. The optimal concentration of 6-BA was different for different palm species.

Physiological Responses of Brazil Banana Seedlings to Drought Stress Simulated by PEG-6000

[Objective] The aim was to explore physiological responses of Brazil banana seedlings to drought stress simulated by PEG-6000.[Method] Brazil banana （Musa AAA Cavendish subgroup cv.Brazil） was taken as test materials to explore changes of physiological indices of banana seedlings under drought stresses simulated by PEG-6000,including three stress levels （5％,10％ and 15％） and time periods （24,48 and 72 h）.[Result] Relative water content and chlorophyll content both declined under different stress levels and in different times.The content of proline （Pro） in seedling leaves from high to low was PEG15％,PEG10％ and PEG5％; the content of treatment of 5％ stress in 24 h was of insignificant differences with that of the control and the contents in rest treatments were all remarkably higher compared with the control.POD activities of seedling leaves from high to low were as follows：PEG15％＞PEG10％＞PEG5％,and POD activity was of significant differences among treatments; POD activity achieved the peak in treatment group with 5％ of stress,and POD activities of different groups were all higher compared with the control.The activity of root system in treatment groups with PEG at different concentrations was as follows：PEG10％＞PEG15％＞PEG5％ and the activity increased remarkably in the group with PEG at 5％ within 24,48 and 72 h,though the activity dropped significantly within 72 h and slowly in 24 and 48 h.[Conclusion] It can be concluded that relative water content,chlorophyll content,Pro content and activity and root activity can be references of banana resistance to drought.

Effects of lanthanum(Ⅲ) on nitrogen metabolism of soybean seedlings under elevated UV-B radiation

The hydroponic culture experiments of soybean bean seedlings were conducted to investigate the effect of lanthanum （La） on nitrogen metabolism under two different levels of elevated UV-B radiation （UV-B, 280-320 nm）. The whole process of nitrogen metabolism involves uptake and transport of nitrate, nitrate assimilation, ammonium assimilation, amino acid biosynthesis, and protein synthesis. Compared with the control, UV-B radiation with the intensity of low level 0.15 W/m^2 and high level 0.45 W/m^2 significantly affected the whole nitrogen metabolism in soybean seedlings （p 〈 0.05）. It restricted uptake and transport of NO3^-, inhibited activity of some key nitrogen-metabolism-related enzymes, such as： nitrate reductase （NR） to the nitrate reduction, glutamine systhetase （GS） and glutamine synthase （GOGAT） to the ammonia assimilation, while it increased the content of free amino acids and decreased that of soluble protein as well. The damage effect of high level of UV-B radiation on nitrogen metabolism was greater than that of low level. And UV-B radiation promoted the activity of the anti-adversity enzyme glutamate dehydrogenase （GDH）, which reduced the toxicity of excess ammonia in plant. After pretreatment with the optimum concentration of La （20 mg/L）, La could increase the activity of NR, GS, GOGAT, and GDH, and ammonia assimilation, but decrease nitrate and ammonia accumulation. In conclusion, La could relieve the damage effect of UV-B radiation on plant by regulating nitrogen metabolism process, and its alleviating effect under low level was better than that under the high one.

Effects of elevated CO_2 concentration on growth and water usage of tomato seedlings under different ammonium/nitrate ratios

Increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration is generally expected to enhance photosynthesis and growth of agricultural C3 vegetable crops, and therefore results in an increase in crop yield. However, little is known about the combined effect of elevated CO2 and N species on plant growth and development. Two growth-chamber experiments were conducted to determine the effects of NH4^＋/NO3^- ratio and elevated CO2 concentration on the physiological development and water use of tomato seedlings. Tomato was grown for 45 d in containers with nutrient solutions varying in NH4^＋/NO3^- ratios and CO2 concentrations in growth chambers. Results showed that plant height, stem thickness, total dry weight, dry weight of the leaves, stems and roots, G value （total plant dry weight/seedling days）, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, leaf-level and whole plant-level water use efficiency and cumulative water consumption of tomato seedlings were increased with increasing proportion of NO3- in nutrient solutions in the elevated CO2 treatment. Plant biomass, plant height, stem thickness and photosynthetic rate were 67%, 22%, 24% and 55% higher at elevated CO2 concentration than at ambient CO2 concentration, depending on the values of NH4^＋/NO3^- ratio. These results indicated that elevating CO2 concentration did not mitigate the adverse effects of 100% NH4^＋-N （in nutrient solution） on the tomato seedlings. At both CO2 levels, NH4^＋/NO3^- ratios of nutrient solutions strongly influenced almost every measure of plant performance, and nitrate-fed plants attained a greater biomass production, as compared to ammonium-fed plants. These phenomena seem to be related to the coordinated regulation of photosynthetic rate and cumulative water consumption of tomato seedlings.

Allelopathic Effects of Aqueous Extracts of Different Tissues and Rhizosphere Root of Adzuki Bean on Growth of Wheat Seedlings

Seedlings of wheat were used as receptor plants to study the allelopathic effects of Adzuki Bean aqueous extracts from different organs and rhizosphere soil at different concentrations （0, 10, 40 and 160 g/L） using sand culture of pot method. The results indicated that root aqueous extract of adzuki bean presented promotion effects at low concentrations and inhibition effects at the high concentra- tion on the growth of height and young leaf length of wheat seedlings, but inhibition effects at low concentrations and promotion effects at the high concentration on the growth of root length, the number of lateral roots and dry weigh of underground part of wheat seedlings. With the concentrations of rhizosphere soil, root, stem and leaf aqueous extracts of adzuki bean increasing, their inhibitory allelopathic effects on the growth of height and young leaf of wheat seedlings increased; the physiological parameters of wheat seedlings studied at the low concentrations of aqueous extracts, indicated that root and rhizosphere soil aqueous extracts of adzuki bean improved the activities of hyperoxid dismutase （SOD） and peroxide enzyme（POD）, but reduced the contents of chlorophyll and malonaldehyde （MDA）; the physiological parameters of wheat seedlings studied at the high concentration of aqueous extracts indicated that the leaf aqueous extract of adzuki bean inhibited root vigor, and reduced the contents of Chlorophyll and MDA, but it was found that the aqueous extract significantly improved the activities of SOD and POD; and as to the synthetic allelopathic effect （SE）, the allelopathic effects of different tissues and rhizosphere soil of adzuki bean on wheat seedlings were in order of leaf〉stem〉soil〉root.

INOCULATION EFFECTS OF SUILLUS GREVILLEI ON LARCH SEEDLINGS

A large areas of Larch seedlings, including container and bare-root seedlings (new and transplanted seedlings ) were inoculated pure inocula that were cultivated by using Suillus grevillei. Compared with those of control area, all growth indices as rate of emergence, growth(in seedling height, collar diameter and number of lateral branch-root), rate of mycorrhiza inoculum, rate of survival and content of nutrient elements were greatly increased. Therefore, Suillus grevillei is a better and suitable mycorrhizal fungus to larch seedling either in the severe cold mountain area or in the plain region. It should be spread and used in larch cultivation and planting.

Physiological Responses of Different Kinds of Vegetable Seedlings to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Stress

This study was conducted to explore the effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on the growth and physiological characteristics of vegetable seedlings.Cucumber,Chinese cabbage and radish were cultured under the stress of 16 PAHs at different concentrations of 0.3,0.6 and 0.9 mg/L,respectively,with the seedlings cultured without PAHs as the control,to study the growth and physiological responses of various vegetable seedlings under PAHs stress.The results showed that the leaf width,fresh weight,CAT activity and POD activity of cucumber and the chlorophyll b content and CAT activity of radish reached the minimum values when treated with 0.3 mg/L PAHs.When the treatment concentration was 0.6 mg/L,the POD activity of cucumber,the vitamin C content of Chinese cabbage and the MDA content of radish were the smallest.The dry weight of cucumber,the fresh weight of Chinese cabbage and the fresh weight and POD activity of radish reached the minimums under the treatment of 0.9 mg/L PAHs.Different concentrations of PAHs could promote the synthesis and photosynthesis of chlorophyll in cucumber and Chinese cabbage leaves and the vitamin C content in radish.With the increase of PAHs treatment concentration,the MDA contents of cucumber and Chinese cabbage were on the increase,and reached the maximums under the treatment of 0.9 mg/L PAHs.One of the reasons why different kinds of vegetable seedlings have different physiological responses to PAHs may be related to the differences in the amount of PAHs absorbed by different leaf structures.

Effects of Low-temperature and Herbicide on Membrane Stability, Antioxidant Capacity, and Product of Metabolism in Barley Seedlings

In order to investigate the physiological injury of barley caused by the low temperature after herbicides, tillering barley seedlings planted in plastic cups were pretreated in illumination incubator at 15℃ and 12 h-light per day for 7 days, and then subjected to herbicide treatment, prometryn （with the concentrations of 0, 0.15%, 0.30%, and 0.45%） or isoproturon （with the concentrations of 0, 0.30%, 0.60%, and 0.90%）, and the SOD activity, the CAT activity, the POD activity, the MDA content, proline content, soluble protein content, electrical conductivity, and the rate of O2 were determined and analyzed. The results showed that the low-temperature was the most important, and the treatment-time of low-temperature was another significant influencing factor on the physiological and biochemical indices of barley seedlings. However, all of the physiological and biochemical indices determined were not affected by the kinds of herbicides and herbicide concentrations, and the SOD was stable and should play the more prominent role on extracting of free radicals according to the stepwise regression and correlation. The herbicide concentrations should be increased in the future research for truly reflecting the effects of the herbicide concentration on the physiological and biochemical indices of barley seedlings.

Yield-density effects on growth and biomass partitioning in Leucaena leucocephala seedlings

Experiments were conducted to study the effects of density on growth and biomass partitioning of Leucaena leucocephala seedlings.Four plantations with densities of 10,000,20,000,40,000,and 80,000 seedlings ha^-1 were evaluated only from 15 to 25 months after planting.At 15 months,crown height and width decreased with increasing density.Seedling height/dbh ratios increased with increasing density.Biomass increased with greater density according to the yield–density effect equation,which was evident for all densities.With increasing age,biomass division to branches and leaves increased,whereas partitioning to roots decreased in the 10,000 and 20,000 seedlings ha-1 plantings.Partitioning to branches and leaves remained relatively steady,while partitioning to roots increased in the 40,000 and 80,000 seedlings ha^-1 plantings.Biomass division into stem and bark components remained relatively steady in all densities.Yield–density and organ yield–density curves shifted upward with increasing seedling age on a log–log graph throughout the experimental period.

Physiological Effects of Rare Earths on Black Currant Plants

Various concentrations of ''Nongle'' rare earth were applied on 'Xinbin'' cultivar of black currant plants. The results indicated that leaf chlorophyll contents, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, photon flux density and leaf transpiration rate of black currant plants were influenced significantly by rare earth applied on leaves. Foliage application of 300 to 800 mg/L rare earth two times in the growing season was better than those applied once.

Physiological Effects of Iron Deficiency on Pyrus pashia Buch-Ham

Pyrus pashia Buch-Ham, a wild specie was used to investigate the physiological effects of iron deficiency in culture solution. The result showed that Chla, Chlb, total chlorophyll content and photosynthesis rate(Pn) decreased sharply, and the decrease of Pn was prior to that of Chl content under the iron deficiency. The iron deficiency symptoms were visible when the iron concentration in culture medium was less than 25 μmol L-1. Peroxidase(POD) and catalase(CAT) activity in iron-deficient leaves declined significantly, and POD was more sensitive than CAT to Fe deficiency. However, the positive correlation between CAT activity and Chl content was more significant than that between POD activity and Chl content. The content of nutrient elements in Fe-deficient leaves, which changed irregularly, were higher than that in normal leaves. There were a most significant positive correlation between active Fe and Chl content, and between active Fe and Pn respectively. Therefore, active Fe could be useful physiological predicting index for diagnosis.

Effects of Two Kinds of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) Inoculums on Cucumber Seedlings Growth

To study the effects of AMF （ arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi） ineeulums on seedling growth of cucumber, vegetable seeds were inoculated with two kinds of AMF ineculums BF （ mycorrhiza for plants） and VT （ mycorrhiza for vegetables） from Czech Republic during sowing in trays in greenhouse. The root AMF infection rates in seedlings were 49.30% and 37.65% respectively after 35 d growth. The plant height, stem diameter, fresh and dry weight of those seedlings inoculated with BF and VT were higher than that in CK. Compared with the CK, VT inoculation significantly improved the root activity, chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rate of cucumber seedlings. Comprehensive analysis showed that VT could promote seedling growth of protected cucumber.