Application of Silicon and Selenium in Rice for Reducing Cadmium Stress

Rice is an essential part of the human diet in most parts of the world;On the other hand,the industrialization of societies has led to pollution of the environment,including heavy metal contamination of soil and water,which negatively affects rice production and quality.Therefore,finding ways to increase the yield and quality of this strategic crop seems essential.Several studies have been conducted in recent decades to find effective and inexpensive solutions to reduce the adverse effects of heavy metals in rice fields.Due to the negative effect of cadmium pollution on rice quality and yield,the current study aimed to investigate cadmium absorption and transfer mechanisms in rice(from absorption by roots to loading in grains),and its effects on rice morphology,physiology,and biochemistry(such as biomass,nutrient absorption,antioxidant defenses).Also,rice’s natural mechanisms for detoxifying cadmium were discussed.This study also intended to identify the absorption and transfer pathways of silicon and selenium in rice,their roles in improving rice structures,and their antagonistic effects on reducing cadmium stress(absorption,transport,and toxicity of cadmium).

Isolation of Endophyte and Screening for Antagonistic Bacteria in Solanaceae

[ Objective] The aim of this study was to isolate the endophyte of three solanaceae fruits and vegetables such as tomato, pepper and eggplant, to screen and identify the bacterial wilt antagonistic bacteria. [ Methodl According to the lapping liquid culture method, the endophyte of three plants was isolated by the selective medium and purified by the plate streaking method, so the purified enclophyte was screened by the hyphal pieces confront culture method. Furthermore, the screened antagonistic and endophyteic bacteria was identified and classified through culture characteristics of isolates and morphological features of thallus, Gram stain as well as physiological and biochemical reactions. [ Result] Fifty-three endophytic bacteria, fifty-three endophytic fungi and forty-four endophytic actinomycetes were separated from the endophyte of three plants. The screened fourteen endophytic bacteria with strong antagonistic effect on the bacterial wilt were classified to Bacillus, Escherichia, Klebsiella, Agromonas, Erwinia and Curto Bacterium respectively. Especially, Bacillus was the dominant species, which had the strongest antagonistic effect on the bacterial wilt. [ Conclusion] This study provides an effective way for biological control of the bacterial wilt in solanaceae.

Screening for Siderophore-producing Endophytic Bacteria against Fusarium oxysporum

[Objective] With a strain of endophytic antagonistic bacteria with good disease control efficacy in pot as trial material,the paper was to explore the antagonistic mechanism of siderophore against Fusarium oxysporum.[Method] Whether the strain produced siderophore and its fluorescent property was judged by MSA（Modified Sugar-Aspartic acid） plate.The siderophore activity of strains in liquid MSA medium was determined through the absorbance values at particular wavelength.The inhibition effects of it siderophore against F.oxysporum under different concentrations of Fe3＋ were compared.Then the strain was preliminarily identified based on morphological,physiological and biochemical characteristics [Result] The fluorescent siderophore produced by the endophytic bacteria in MSA medium had a strong inhibition effect against F.oxysporum.With the increasing concentration of Fe3＋,the inhibition effect against the pathogen weakened.The preliminary analysis showed these strains belonged to Bacillus.[Conclusion] Bacillus could compete the absorption of Fe3＋ by secreting siderophore to inhibit the growth of F.oxysporum.

Research Application Progress on the Bacillus sp. in Plant Pathogenic Fungi Biocontrol

For about half a century, chemical control has played a major role in plant disease control. However, the long-term irrational use of chemical pesticide produces many problems. In nature, there exit extensive antagonistic microorganisms which are tightly concerned with plant pathogenic microbes, and biological pesticides can be researched to control related pathogenic microbes from its metabolites. It＇s an important research direction of new pesticide development. The Bacillus is the ideal and frequently studied object of bio-control bacteria, and it can produce some entospores with following characteristics such as heat-resistant, drought tolerance, antiultraviolet and organic solvent. In this article, the bio-control mechanism, problems and application prospects of the Bacillus were reviewed to promote the application in new biological pesticide.

Inhibition Effect of Antagonistic Fungal Strain BOS-013 against the Pathogen of Rice Blast (Pyricularia oryzae)

[ ObjeeUve ] To search for the beneficial microorganisms and their metabolic products with control effect against rice Mast, the paper studied the inhibi- tion effect of the fermentation broth of actinomycetes BOS-013 strain against the pathogen of rice blast （Pyricularia oryzae）. [ Method ] With P. oryzae as the target indicator fungus, the inhibition effect of the fermentation broth of BOS-013 strain and its extracts from different solvents against the pathogen were determined using cylinder plate method and filter paper method. [ Result] The results showed that the inhibition rate of the fermentation broth of BOS-013 strain with fungus amount of 4×10^8 cfu/ml against P. oryzae was 92.0% ±0.5% ; the fermentation broth still had inhibition effect against P. oryaae after inactivation under high temperature and high pressure, and the inhibition rate was 60.0%±0.5%. After absorbed by non-polar CAD-45 type macroperous adsorption resin and eluted by 60% etha- nol, the antifungal activity of the fermentation broth was still high, and the diameter of inhibition zone reached 33.0 mm. [ Conclusion] The fermentation broth of BOS-O13 strain had significant inhibition effect against P. oryzae. The results would provide foundation for further clarification of inhibition mechanism of BOS-013 strain fermentation broth against P. oryzae and its practical application.

Comparison of the Evolvement Structure of Chenopodium album L.under the Stress of Different Saline Environments

[Objective] The aim of this study was to reveal the evolvement structures,especially the crystal characteristics of Chenopodium album L.under saline stress,so as to providing the first-hand data for utilizing biological techniques to control saline environment.[Method] Employing high definition display method of plant crystal structure and paraffin-section method,we performed a comparative study on the evolvement structures of C.album growing in high salinity areas in the coast of Egyptian Red Sea and common salinity areas in the grasslands in Changling County of Jilin Province.[Result] The regionally distributed crystal and the developed assimilating tissue of C.album are the key structural characteristics to antagonize the saline stress during the evolving process.Stem cortex of C.album growing in both the high salinity areas in coast of Egyptian Red Sea and common salinity areas in the grasslands in Changling County of Jilin Province has similar discontinuous crystal rings.Assimilating tissue in C.album growing in high salinity areas is highly developed than that in common salinity environment.Comparative analysis indicates that the developed stratum corneum and marrow is also the key structural characteristics to antagonize the saline stress.[Conclusion] Our results provide a valuable approach to study the salt-tolerance mechanism of plant using structural botanical techniques,i.e.,crystal may become the identification characteristics of salt tolerant plant.

Isolation of High-virulence Strains and Antagonistic Bacteria of the Pathogen of Ginger Blast (Ralstonia solanacearum)

[ Objective] The paper was to screen Bacillus with strong antagonistic effect. [ Method] The diseased ginger and the surrounding soils were collected from Laiwu of Shandong Province, and the high-virulence strains of the pathogen of ginger blast （Ralstonia solanacearum） were isolated, Bacillus was used to carry out antagonistic test. [Result] Three strains LW-4, LW-7 and LW-32 had strong antagonistic effect against R. solanacearum, the area of their inhibition zone was larger than other strains. [ Conclusion] The study provided theoretical basis for the control of ginger blast.

Bio-control trials of Chaetomium spirale ND35 against apple canker

A new endophytic antagonistic fungus, Chaetomium spirale ND35 from Populus tomentosa, was reported. The bio-control trials of C. spirale ND35 against the Valsa Canker of apple were preliminarily investigated. The results of dual culture on PDA plate showed that C. spirale ND35 was capable of strong antagonism against Valsa ceratosperma, and for inhibiting the mycelial growth of V. ceratosperma,.the crude extract of liquid culture of corn steep powder broth was more effective than that one of malt extract broth (MEB). The results of bio-control in greenhouse and field indicated that the disease incidence of apple tree treated with C. spirale ND35 was lower significantly than that treated by other methods. The re-isolation experiment suggested that C. spirale ND35 could colonize in stems and branches of apple trees successfully, and the ND35 colonization rate of the treatment with solid wheat bran culture was higher than that of corn steep powder broth, but the field experiment result the control effect of liquid culture of C. spirale ND35 was better than that of solid culture.

Synergistic and antagonistic interactions between potassium and magnesium in higher plants

Magnesium(Mg)affects various critical physiological and biochemical processes in higher plants,and its deficiency impedes plant growth and development.Although potassium(K)-induced Mg deficiency in agricultural production is widespread,the specific relationship of K with Mg and especially its competitive nature is poorly understood.This review summarizes current knowledge on the interactions between K and Mg with respect to their root uptake,root-to-shoot translocation and distribution in plants.Their synergistic effects on certain physiological functions are also described.The antagonistic effect of K on Mg is stronger than that of Mg on K in root absorption and transport within plants,indicating that the balanced use of K and Mg fertilizers is necessary for sustaining high plant-available Mg and alleviating K-induced Mg deficiency,especially in plant species with high K demand or in highavailable-K soil.The relationship between Mg and K in plant tissues may be antagonistic or synergistic depending on plant species,cell type,leaf age,source-and sink organs.There are synergistic effects of K and Mg on photosynthesis,carbohydrate transport and allocation,nitrogen metabolism,and turgor regulation.Definition of optimal K/Mg ratios for soils and plant tissues is desirable for maintaining proper nutritional status in plants,leading to a physiological state supporting crop production.Future research should concentrate on identifying the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying the interactions between K and Mg in a given physiological function.

Development and Prospect of Rare Earth Functional Biomaterials for Agriculture in China

The development and prospect of rare earth functional biomaterials (REFB) was discussed. From 1979 to 1985, the simple REFB (salts) has been developed, and the fundamental research including forms, effects, toxicity, conversion in soil, and analysis methods had been finished. Then, the RE feed additive materials had been developed, and the fundamental research had also been finished. In 1990s, new REFB including RE phosphate fertilizer additive, RE conversional agricultural film additive, RE water-retraining reagent and RE seed coating reagent had been developed out rapidly. They were extended to 1.36 million hectares and big benefit had been got during the last three years. Recently, it was found that RE has some function of antagonizing heavy metals and degradating organophosphors pesticide, so the REFB will be studied as a focus once more, and will become one of the important methods of guaranteeing food security in the future.

Superior growth performance in broiler chicks fed chelated compared to inorganic zinc in presence of elevated dietary copper

Background： The goal of this study was to compare the antagonism of elevated dietary Cu （250 mg/kg） from CuS04 on three different Zn sources （ZnS04. H20; [Zn bis（-2-hydroxy-4-（methylthio）butanoic acid）], Zn（HMTBa）2 a chelated Zn methionine hydroxy analogue; and Zn-Methionine）, as measured using multiple indices of animal performance in ROSS 308 broilers. Methods： Three experiments were conducted in broiler chicks fed a semi-purified diet. All birds were fed a Zn-deficient diet （8.5 mg/kg diet） for 1 wk, and then provided with the experimental diets for 2 wks. Results： Experiment 1 was a 2 x 2 factorial design with two levels of Cu （8 vs. 250 mg/kg diet from CuSO4） and two Zn sources at 30 mg/kg [ZnSO4. H20 vs. Zn（HMTBa）2]. Elevated Cu impaired growth performance only in birds fed ZnSO4. Compared to ZnSO4. H20, Zn（HMTBa）2 improved feed intake （12 %; P 〈 0.001） and weight gain （12 %, P 〈 0.001） and the benefits were more pronounced in the presence of 250 mg/kg diet Cu. Experiment 2 was a dose titration of ZnSO4- H20 and Zn（HMTBa）2 at 30, 4,5, 60, and 75 mg/kg diet in the presence of 250 mg/kg CuSO4. Feed：gain was decreased and tibia Zn was increased with increasing Zn levels from 30 to 75 mg/kg. Birds fed Zn（HMTBa）2 consumed more food and gained more weight compared to birds fed ZnSO4, especially at lower supplementation levels （30 and 45 mg/kg; interaction P 〈 0,05）. Experiment 3 compared two organic Zn sources （Zn（HMTBa）2 vs. Zn-Methionine） at 30 mg/kg with or without 250 mg/kg CuSO4. No interactions were observed between Zn sources and Cu levels on performance or tissue mineral concentrations. High dietary Cu decreased weight gain （P 〈 0.01）. Tibia Cu and liver Cu were significantly increased with 250 mg/kg dietary Cu supplementation （P 〈 0.01）. No difference was observed between the two Zn sources. Conclusions： Dietary 250 mg/kg Cu significantly impaired feed intake and weight gain in birds fed ZnSO4. H20, but had less impact in birds fed Zn（HMTBa）2. No difference was observed between the two organic zinc sources These results are consistent with the hypothesis that chelated organic Zn is better utilized than inorganic zinc in the presence of elevated Cu.

Interactions of cadmium and aluminum toxicity in their effect on growth and physiological parameters in soybean

The effect of Al and Cd on the growth, photosynthesis, and accumulation of Al, Cd and plant nutrients in two soybean genotypes were determined using hydroponic culture. There were six treatments: pH 6.5; pH 4.0; pH 6.5+1.0 μmol/L Cd; pH 4.0+1.0 μmol/L Cd; pH 4.0+150 μmol/L Al; pH 4.0+1.0 μmol/L Cd+150 μmol/L Al. The low pH (4.0) and Al treatments caused marked reduction in root length, shoot height, dry weight, chlorophyll content (SPAD value) and photosynthetic rate. Al-sensitive cv. Zhechun 2 accumulated comparatively more Al and Cd in plants than Al-tolerant cv. Liao 1. Compared with pH 6.5, pH 4.0 resulted in significant increase in Cd and Al concentration in plants. Combined application of Cd and Al enhanced their accu-mulation in roots, but caused a reduction in shoots. The concentrations of all 10 nutrients (P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn and B), except Mo were also increased when plants were exposed to pH lower than pH 6.5. Al addition caused a reduction in the con-centration of most nutrients in plant roots and shoots; but K, Mn and Zn in roots were increased. Treatments with Cd alone or together with Al reduced the concentrations of all the plant nutrients in plants. Al-sensitive genotype Zhechun 2 has lower nutrient concentration than Al-tolerant genotype Liao 1. The current findings imply that Al and Cd are synergistic in their effect on plant growth, physiological traits and nutrient uptake.

Modeling and solution based on stochastic games for development of COA under uncertainty

Developing a course of action(COA) is a key step in military planning. In most extant studies on the COA development,only the unilateral actions of friendly forces are considered. Based on stochastic games, we propose models that could deal with the complexities and uncertainties of wars. By analyzing the equilibrium state of both opponent sides, outcomes preferable to one side could be achieved by adopting the methods obtained from the proposed models. This research could help decision makers take the right COA in a state of uncertainty.

Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of Apoptosis Antagonizing Transcription Factor Involved in Hydroquinone-Induced DNA Damage Response

The molecular mechanism of DNA damage induced by hydroquinone （HQ） remains unclear. Poly（ADP-ribose） polymerase-1 （PARP-1） usually works as a DNA damage sensor, and hence, it is possible that PARP-1 is involved in the DNA damage response induced by HQ. In TK6 cells treated with HQ, PARP activity as well as the expression of apoptosis antagonizing transcription factor （AATF）, PARP-1, and phosphorylated H2AX （v-H2AX） were maximum at 0.5 h, 6 h, 3 h, and 3 h, respectively. To explore the detailed mechanisms underlying the prompt DNA repair reaction, the above indicators were investigated in PARP-l-silenced cells. PARP activity and expression of AATF and PARP-1 decreased to 36%, 32%, and 33%, respectively, in the cells; however, y-H2AX expression increased to 265%. Co-immunoprecipitation （co-IP） assays were employed to determine whether PARP-1 and AATF formed protein complexes. The interaction between these proteins together with the results from IP assays and confocal microscopy indicated that poly（ADP-ribosyl）ation {PARylation） regulated AATF expression, in conclusion, PARP-1 was involved in the DNA damage repair induced by HQ via increasing the accumulation of AATF through PARylation.

Biological Intelligence of Rare Earth Elements in Animal Cells

Recent progress in bioinorganic chemistry studies of rare earth elements (REE) in animal cells was outlined, and the definition of REE′s biological intelligence as well as their mechanism were also explained. The migration of REE from weathering rocks to the environment is accelerated by various anthropogenic activities, which can eventually result in the entrance of REE into animal and human bodies via food chain. REE can be found in body tissues such as brain, blood, muscle as well as bone. Based on their geochemical properties, REE in low dose show their unique biological intelligence by intervening in the process of signal transduction and its regulation, arteriosclerosis and blood clotting prevention, anticancer, and the promotion of cellular defense enzymes′ activities, nucleic acid metabolism enzymes as well as ATPases, etc. The meaning of REE′s biological intelligence refers to physicochemical properties-based capability to choose the targets (e.g., biometals) in biomolecules for the chelation or replacement of REE, and change the structures and functions of biomolecules, and consequently impact or control the biological functions or behaviors in living organisms. The regulation of various cellular processes caused by REE is mainly via antagonism or replacement of essential target biometals like calcium or via chelation of organic molecules, thereby embodying the unparalleled biological intelligence of REE. Additionally, the dosage effect of REE was also discussed from the angles of yin-yang dichotomy, bioavailability, entropy and evolution. In order to make full use of REE′s biological intelligence in the application for medicine, more detailed studies concerning dosage effect of REE and REE bioaccumulation in organisms should be conducted in future research.

A new Lactobacillus gasseri strain HMV18 inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria

To search for a new eco-friendly therapy for infectious disease caused by Escherichia coli,Staphylococcus aureus or Klebsiella oxytoca,we collected the vaginal swabs from healthy women,screened for Lactobacillus and found a strain repressing the growth of pathogenic bacteria.The new isolate was identified as L.gasseri by the colony morphology,Gram staining,biochemical reactions and confirmed by the 16 S rDNA sequencing.The HMV18 strain inhibited the growth of food-borne pathogens such as E.coli,S.aureus and K.oxytoca.The HMV18 strain was sensitive to penicillin,ampicillin,erythromycin,tetracycline and chloramphenicol.The HMV18 strain producedα-hemolysis.Pathological histology of the mice ileum showed that the mucosa,villi,lamina propria and crypt depth remained intact and there was no inflammation or hyperemia in the L.gasseri HMV18 gavaged group.L.gasseri HMV18 could not up-regulate inflammatory cytokines level of plasma.All the results suggested L.gasseri HMV18 is a candidate probiotic to be an additive for food preservation or drug to prevent food-borne diseases.

Moderate drought alleviates the damage to grain quality at high temperatures by improving the starch synthesis of inferior grains in japonica rice

In agricultural production,temperature and moisture are important factors affecting grain yield and quality.Although moderate drought at the grain-filling stage can effectively alleviate the damage caused by high temperature,the specific regulatory mechanism driving the effect of moderate drought at the high temperature on starch synthesis is still unclear.To explore the effects and mechanisms of high temperature and moderate drought on rice starch synthesis at the grainfilling stage,the activities of enzymes and expression levels of the genes involved in starch synthesis under four different treatments involving high temperature and/or water stress(CK,HT,WS,and HT+WS)were investigated in this study.The starch synthesis of a japonica inbred rice was measured under the four treatments during the grain filling.The results show that the effects of high temperature and moderate drought on grain filling mainly occur in the inferior grains of rice.Through the regulation of enzymes involved in starch synthesis and the expression levels of their main genes,the synthesis of rice starch can be affected.Therefore,the high temperature and moderate drought were antagonistic,and moderate drought can alleviate the damage to grain quality at a high temperature by improving the starch synthesis of inferior grains in japonica rice.This study provides a basis for stress-resistance cultivation and breeding strategies of rice with high temperature tolerance.

Mathematical rules for synergistic,additive,and antagonistic effects of multi-drug combinations and their application in research and development of combinatorial drugs and special medical food combinations

Multi-drug(or multi-element)combinations are often prescribed in the practice of clinical medicine and as foods for special medical purposes.The main motivations for these combinations are that most diseases contain multiple related targets and an appropriate combination can maximize benefits while minimizing adverse reactions.As such,it is especially important to derive mathematical models for their quantitative calculation.In this paper,we introduce mathematical rules for the synergistic,additive,and antagonistic effects of multi-drug combinations developed in our laboratory.We have established a“onebelt,one-line”model and provide examples of the quantitative calculation of the synergistic,additive,and antagonistic effects of a combination of multiple components.We also explain how to scientifically and precisely determine the intensity of these synergies,additions and antagonisms,as well as their corresponding dose ranges,thereby laying a solid theoretical foundation for market listing combinatorial drugs and foods for special medical purposes.

Isolation and Identification of Shoot-Tip Associated Endophytic Bacteria from Banana cv. Grand Naine and Testing for Antagonistic Activity against <i>Fusarium oxysporum</i>f. sp. <i>cubense</i>

Endophytic bacteria colonizing the shoot-tips of banana cv. Grand Naine were isolated and tested for the antagonistic activity against the Panama wilt pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc). Pre-isolation, the suckers were given extensive disinfection treatments and the homogenate from the excised shoot-tip portion was plated on nutrient agar (NA) and trypticase soy agar (TSA). This yielded altogether 47 isolates: 26 on NA and 21 on TSA, respectively, from the 10 suckers collected during August to February. The number of bacterial isolates obtained per sucker varied from one to 15 based on colony characteristics registering up to 10 distinct species per shoot-tip based on 16S rRNA sequence analysis. The 47 isolates belonged to 19 genera and 25 species under the phylogenetic classes of Actinobacteria, α- and γ-Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. Actinobacteria constituted the predominant phylum (55% isolates) with the constituent genera of Arthrobacter, Brevibacterium, Corynebacterium, Curtobacterium, Kocuria, Kytococcus, Micrococcus, Naumanella, Rothia and Tessaracoccus spp. and an unidentified isolate belonging to the family Frankiaceae. Proteobacteria constituted the second major phylum (Brevundimonas, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, Serratia and Sphingomonas spp.) followed by Firmicutes (Bacillus and Staphylococcus spp.). Antagonistic activity of the endophytes against Foc was tested through agar plate assays (pit and spot applications on fungal lawn) employing potato dextrose agar and NA. Endophytic Pseudomonas aeruginosa (isolate GNS.13.2a) which was associated with a single sucker showed significant growth inhibition effect on Foc while Klebsiella variicola (GNS.13.3a) and Enterobacter cloacae (GNS13.4a) exhibited moderate inhibition. The study brings out considerable sucker to sucker variation in the associated cultivable endophytic bacteria in “Grand Naine” banana and identifies a few bacterial endophytes with biocontrol potential against the devastating Foc pathogen.

Evaluating effective Trichoderma isolates for biocontrol of Rhizoctonia solani causing root rot of Vigna unguiculata

The highly diverse genus Trichoderma has provided many formulations that are alternatives to the chemical pesticides in agriculture.The present study was undertaken to investigate the biocontrol potential of eight Trichoderma species,T.atrobrunneum,T.guizhouense,T.paratroviride,T.pyramidale,T.rufobrunneum,T.simmonsii,T.thermophilum and T.viridulum,against the phytopathogenic fungus Rhizoctonia solani.Trichoderma isolates were first evaluated in vitro by dual culture tests for their antagonism,mycoparasitic ability and antifungal activity against R.solani.Their growth promoting potential was further assessed in relation to phosphate solubilization,indole acetic acid and siderophore production.Five of the isolates were selected and evaluated for their abilities to prompt plant growth and to control R.solani infecting Vigna unguiculata(cowpea)seedlings in vivo.Two most effective isolates,T.guizhouense 9185 and T.simmonsii 8702,significantly(P<0.05)reduced the disease severity incidences(36.6 and 45.0%,respectively)and promoted plant growth,which have good prospects for application.