Effect of Lanthanum on Rice Growth and Phy siological Parameters with Split-Root Nutrient Solution Culture

Split-root solution culture was used to study the promoting effect of lanthanum on rice (Oryza sativa) growth and its physiological mechanisms. Results sho w that low concentration (0.05～1.5 mg·L -1) increases rice yield an d grain numbers. High concentration depresses grain formation (9～30 mg·L -1 ) and root elongation (1.5～30 mg·L -1). No significant influence on str aw dry weight was found over the whole concentration range except the 0.05 mg·L -1 treatment. With the increase of La concentration from 0.05 to 0.75 mg· L -1, catalase (CAT) activity in the first fully expandeing leaves and root s decreases. When La concentration is greater than 0.75 mg·L -1 or less than 9 mg·L -1, it significantly decreases superoxide dismutase activity ( SOD) in the leaves and roots. No significant effects were found on chlorophyll, protein and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Possible mechanisms of La′s promotin g effect on rice growth and reduction effect of ·O- 2 were discussed.

Effects of High Ammonium Concentration on Growth and Nutrient Uptake of Lettuce Plants with Solution Culture

A nutrition solution experiment was conducted over two months to investigate the response of vegetable crops to high concentrations of ammonium, using lettuce （Lactuca sativa L. cv. Angustana Irish） as a test crop. Ammonium concentrations were designed in 5 levels, ranging from 12 mmol N L^-1 to 22 mmol N L^-1 and local tap water was used as water source. At the first culture stage （0-9 days）, lettuce plants maintained normal growth while the lettuce roots were increasingly impaired. During the subsequent three stages the root structure was greatly damaged, and roots became brown or black through continuous supply of high concentration of ammonium. However, there was no obvious reduction of the aboveground biomass of the plants in the high ammonium treatments compared to those supplied with nitrate alone. In contrast to results obtained in another experiment from us with distilled water, the detrimental effect of high ammonium concentration on lettuce growth was greatly alleviated. Based on the results, it was postulated that the small amount of nitrate and the higher amount of bicarbonate existed in the tap water might mitigate the adverse effects of high ammonium N. The higher bicarbonate content in water and soil has usually been regarded as a major constraint factor limiting plant growth in calcareous soil areas. However, the reaction of bicarbonate to ammonium might produce positively interactive effect on reduction of both damages. The lettuce plants grown in ammonium solutions took up less P, K, Fe, Mn and Cu and more Ca than those grown in the nitrate nutrient solution. In conclusion, the results indicated that the N form imposed an obvious influence on absorption of cations and anions. Supplying ammonium-N stimulated transport of Ca, Mg and Mn to shoots of lettuce.

Propagation of Abies beshanzuensis by Water Cultured Medium

[Objective] The experiment aimed to explore the influences of phytohormones (ABT and IAA) and nutrient solution on rooting of Abies beshanzuensis M.H.Wu by water cultured medium. [Method] The Abies beshanzuensis M.H.Wu were treated by water (CK), 10 mg/L ABT+ water, 10 mg/L IAA+ water, 10 mg/L ABT+ hoagland solution, 10 mg/L IAA+ hoagland solution, then the rooting process was observed and the formation rate of callus, rooting rate, number of rooting, and root length were investigated and analyzed. [Result] ABT and IAA had obvious influences on callus induction, rooting rate and the number of root of Abies beshanzuensis M.H.Wu by water culture, so they were suitable to be used in water propagation of Abies beshanzuensis M.H.Wu. The treatments of phytohormones had no regular influences on the longest root length and average root length. The nutrient solutions would not generate obvious influence on propagation of Abies beshanzuensis M.H.Wu at firstly stage, but they generated influence on root growth after rooting. [Conclusion] The research provided new ideas for propagation of Abies beshanzuensis M.H.Wu, which could make it out of endangerment situation quickly.

Genetic Analysis of Root Growth in Rice Seedlings Under Different Water Supply Conditions

To understand the genetic background of root growth of rice ( Oryza sativa L.) seedlings under different water supply conditions, quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and epistatic effect on seminal root length, maximum adventitious root length, adventitious root number, total root dry weight and ratio of root to shoot were detected using molecular map including 103 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers and 104 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers mapped on a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population with 150 lines derived from a cross between an lowland rice IR1552 and an upland rice Azucena in both solution culture (lowland condition) and paper culture (upland condition). Six QTLs and twenty-two pairs of epistatic loci for the four parameters were detected. Three QTLs detected for maximum adventitious root length in solution culture (MARLS), total root dry weight in both solution culture and paper culture (TRDWS and TRDWP) accounted for about 20%, 23% and 13% of the total variations, respectively. Only epistatic loci were found for maximum adventitious root length and adventitious root number in paper culture (MARLP and ARNP), and for ratio of root to shoot in both paper and solution culture (R/SP and R/SS), which accounted for about 12%-61% of the total variations in the parameters, respectively. No identical QTL or epistatic loci were found for the parameters in both solution and paper culture. The results indicate that there is a different genetic system responsible to root growth of rice seedlings under lowland and upland conditions and epistasis might be the major genetic basis for MARLP, ARNP, R/SP and R/SS.

Dynamic Changes of Nitrate Reductase Activity within 24 Hours

[Objective] The research aimed to study the circadian rhythm of nitrate re- ductase activity （NRA） in plant. [Method] The wheat plants at heading stage were used as the materials for the measurement of dynamic changes of nitrate reductase activity （NRA） within 24 h under the conditions of constant high temperature. [Resulti The fluctuation of NRA in wheat changed greatly from 20：00 pm to 11：00 am. The enzyme activity remained constant, but at 14：00 the enzyme activity was the high- est, higher than all the other time points except the enzyme activity measured at11：00. The enzyme activity was the lowest of 17：00, which was lower than all the other time points except the enzyme activity measured at 2：00. [Conclusion] There were autonomous rhythm changes of NRA in wheat in a certain degree.