Effects of Toxic Levels of Aluminium on Seedling Parameters of Rice under Hydroponic Culture

The presence of AI in the rhizosphere of rice in acid soil restricts root growth and significantly reduces crop productivity. In this study, the effects of AI （30, 60 and 90 μg/mL） on seedling root growth, number of primary roots per seedling, seedling shoot length, number of leaves per seedling, seedling fresh weight, and seedling dry weight were studied. Rice genotypes were classified into three different classes, namely, tolerant, moderately tolerant, and susceptible, based on root tolerance index. The method of hydroponic culture was modified, and elaborated in the text. Toxic levels of AI in nutrient solution significantly decreased seedling root growth, number of primary roots, seedling shoot length, number of leaves per seedling, seedling fresh weight, and seedling dry weight. Few genotypes showed longer root length at 30 pg/mL AI in nutrient solutions compared with the control. High levels of AI in nutrient solutions were highly toxic for rice seedlings. Based on root tolerance index, Radhunipagal, Gobindobhog, Badshabhog, Kalobhog, UBKVR-11, UBKVR-16, UBKVR-18, Khasha and IVT4007-B were classified as tolerant genotypes, and these genotypes may be used as donors for breeding of Altoxicity tolerance.

Characteristics of <i>Morus alba</i>L. Cultured by In-Room Hydroponics

Morus alba L., (cv Ichinose) was cultivated by in-room hydroponics. The flavor and texture of leaves were markedly improved enough to be edible. When the contents of 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) and polyphenols were measured in the hydroponic cultivar, DNJ increased in the leaf compared to the field grown M. alba. However, polyphenols, in contrast, decreased compared to the field cultivar. HPLC profiling revealed marked difference in leaf components between hydroponic and field cultivars indicating relative contents of lipophilic polyphenols were increased. The polyphenols contents, especially, lipophilic polyphenols in the root were remarkably high compared to So-Haku-Hi (Sang Bai Pi in Chinese). The anti-obesity effect of the hydroponically grown Morus was further studied in rats by feeding high-fat, high-sucrose (HFHS) diet with and without supplementation of dried leaf and root powders for 15 weeks. As the result, both the leaf and root from the hydroponic cultivar showed potential anti-obesity and anti-hyperlipidemic functions through amelioration of insulin resistance. Differential effects of leaf and root powders indicated that besides DNJ, the lipophilic polyphenols may play a crucial role in the anti-diabetic function of hydroponically grown Morus alba L. The hydroponics will provide an alternate way to cultivate a novel resource of Morus for developing functional foods and medicines.

Tissue Culture and Gemmae Propagation of Shoot Tipof Huperzia serrata

To solve the problems of microbial contamination and no rooting during the tissue culture of Huperzia serrata, wild seedlings of Huperzia serrata were cultured by indoor hydroponics or soil cultivation methods, then the stem tips were used in tissue culture. The above operation significantly reduced microbial contamination during tissue culture process. Different types and concentrations of hormones were added into the basic medium MS to screen the optimal formula for induced plantlet growth and rooting. It was found that 1/2MSCO was the best medium on which stem, leaves and roots of tissue culture plantlets of Huperzia serrata grew quickly. At the same time, sand planting was a convenient and effective approach for gemmae propagation of Huperzia serrata, the survival rate of seedlings germinated from gemmae was nearly 100%.

ALA Altered ABA Content of Winter Oilseed Rape(Brassica napus L.)Seedling

[Objective] The paper was to explore the impact of 5-aminolevunic acid（ALA）treatment on growth of winter oilseed rape（Brassica napus L.）seedlings and its mechanism.[Method] The effects of ALA on abscisic acid（ABA）contents in plant organs and xylem saps were investigated through hydroponic experiment.Four treatments including seed soaking with 0,25,50 and 75 mg/L ALA solutions（CK,A1,A2 and A3）for 6 h were set in the test.[Result] In addition to A3 treatment which made the dry weights of oilseed rape seedlings slightly decrease,after seed soaking with ALA,dry weights,net photosynthetic rate（Pn）,transpiration rate（Tr）and stomatal conductance（Gs）of plants significantly increased compared with control.ABA concentrations in plant shoots and xylem saps increased in different levels after seed soaking with ALA.[Conclusion] The increasing endogenous ABA contents might be an explanation for promotion effect of ALA application on the growth of winter oilseed rape seedling.

Effect of Different Cultivation Systems on the Accumulation of Nutrients and Phytochemicals in Ligularia fischeri

A hydroponic cultivation system was established to improve the nutraceutical properties of Ligularia fischeri(Ledeb.) Turcz, during which nutrient uptake by the plant from nutrient solution was measured using inductive coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy(ICP-AES).Based on the obtained data, the uptake of macro and micro elements per gram of fresh weight was calculated. The uptake of macro-elements of NH_4^+-N,NO_3^--N, K, S, P, Ca,and Mg were 1,62,4.27, 8.41,1.19, 2.59, 2,79, and 0.84 mg·g^(-1) FW and micro-elements of B, Fe, Mn, Mo, Cu, and Zn were 9.91,22.31,25.73,2.51,2.91, and 5.07 μg·g^(-1) FW. Moreover, the effects of cultivation systems on growth and phytochemical composition of L.fischeri were compared. The greatest biomass was observed in the hydroponic cultivation system with continuous circulation nutrient solution compared to natural soil and Tosilee media based culture systems. The recirculated hydroponic system significantly increased the total phenol contents of the leaf, petiole, and root extracts by 17.6%, 30.60%, and 20.9% more compared to the soil grown. The recirculated hydroponic system treatment significantly increased the total antioxidant capacity of root extracts by 55.9% more compared to the soil treatment. Based on the contents of elements, total phenolic and flavonoid, it was concluded that hydroponic cultivation system is the optimal method to enhance medicinal value.