Effect of Different Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Strains on Mineral Nutrition and Antioxidant Enzymes of Chrysanthemum morifolium

[Objective] The purpose was to study the effects of different arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi strains（AMF）on the mineral nutrition and antioxidant enzymes of Chrysanthemum morifolium.[Method] The pot experiment was conducted in the greenhouse,C.morifolium ＇Jinba＇ was inoculated with five kinds of AMF,N,P,K,malondial dehyde（MDA）content,as well as the superoxide dismutase（SOD）,peroxidase（POD） and catalase（CAT） activity in roots,leaves and petals of C.morifolium were measured at seedling and flowering stages.[Result] The G.i,G.e and G.m treatments could promote mineral nutrient absorption,increase N,P,K content in roots,leaves and petals of C.morifolium compared with the control without inoculation.The G.d、G.e and G.m treatments could significantly reduce MDA content in roots and petals,thus alleviating membrane permeability and lipid peroxidation.The G.i treatments could also improve the SOD,POD and CAT activities of C.morifolium,thereby increasing the capability of scavenging oxygen free radicals.[Conclusion] According to the comprehensive analysis,G.i was screened out as the best strain to improve mineral nutrition and antioxidant enzyme activities of C.morifolium.

Annual Variation of Mineral Nutrition Elements Content in Macadamia integrifolia

[Objective] To investigate the annual variation of 9 mineral nutrition ele-ments content in Macadamia integrifolia leaves. [Method] Twenty 6-year-old ＆quot;Guire No. 1＆quot; healthy plants were selected. On the 15th of every month in 2011, 1 leaf in the second round from top-branch in 4 directions of the 20 trees was col ected. The content of 9 mineral elements of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn were deter-mined. [Result] The results showed that the N, P, K content in leaves reached a peak in April, then N content decreased slowly, P content stayed stable, and K con-tent increased slightly; Ca, Fe content decreased in April to different degrees and then increased slowly. Mg content was consistent al year round, meanwhile Mn content decreased slightly. Cu and Zn content reached a peak in April, and then presented a rise-fal trend. [Conclusion] N, K, Ca, Mg should be supplemented in time in practice.

Calcium signaling in plant mineral nutrition:From uptake to transport

Plant mineral nutrition is essential for crop yields and human health.However,the uneven distribution of mineral elements over time and space leads to a lack or excess of available mineral elements in plants.Among the essential nutrients,calcium(Ca^(2+))stands out as a prominent second messenger that plays crucial roles in response to extracellular stimuli in all eukaryotes.Distinct Ca^(2+)signatures with unique parameters are induced by different stresses and deciphered by various Ca^(2+)sensors.Recent research on the participation of Ca^(2+)signaling in regulation of mineral elements has made great progress.In this review,we focus on the impact of Ca^(2+)signaling on plant mineral uptake and detoxification.Specifically,we emphasize the significance of Ca^(2+)signaling for regulation of plant mineral nutrition and delve into key points and novel avenues for future investigations,aiming to offer new insights into plant ion homeostasis.

Genetic Variability and Phenotypic Correlations Study among Grain Quality Traits and Mineral Elements Concentrations in Colored and Non-Colored Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Twenty-four rice genotypes were examined to assess genetic variability,heritability,and correlations for seven-grain quality traits,eight nutritional elements,and protein.ANOVA revealed significant differences for the quality traits studied.For every trait under study,the phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher than the correspon-dence genotypic coefficient of variation.Heritability in a broad sense varied from 29.75%for grain length to 98.31%for the elongation trait.Hulling percentage recovery had a highly significant positive correlation with milling and head rice percentage.Consequently,milling percentage had a highly positive correlation with head rice percentage.In amylose percentage,all the genotypes belonged to low amylose except the Hassawi-1 variety,which had intermediate amylose content.Mineral nutrition contents of magnesium(Mg),sodium(Na),potas-sium(K),calcium(Ca),copper(Cu),manganese(Mn),zinc(Zn),iron(Fe),or protein percentage gave different variations for 24 rice genotypes under all the nutritional elements.Among the 24 genotypes,ten rice genotypes–HighNutrient-1,HighNutrient-2,HighNutrient-9,HighNutrient-8,HighNutrient-3,Hassawi-2,HighNutrient-7,HighNutrient-6,Hassawi-1,and HighNutrient-4–had the highest heist value for all nutritional and protein con-tents,and could be used as a donor to improving new varieties.There was a positive and significant correlation between magnesium Mg,K,Zn and Fe.Consequently,K had a positive correlation with zinc Zn,Fe,and protein percentage.Clustering analysis was divided into two groups:thefirst group included all genotypes rich in nutri-ents,while the remaining genotypes with low nutritional content were included in the second group.

Growth and mineral nutrient analysis of teak (Tectona grandis) grown on acidic soils in south China

Teak （Tectona grandis L.f.） is widely planted in the world due to its high market demand, economic, ecological and social value. Its plantations have mostly been established and expanded into sites that are acidic to severely acidic in southern China. But, there are no available and specific evidence-based nutrient management techniques. To better recognize and understand the relationship between teak tree growth and nutrient content in the foliage and soil and establish nutrient norms are critical to optimally manage these young plantations. We studied the foliar nutrient and soil chemistry in 19 representative teak plantations aged 5-8 years. Regression analysis indicated that the mean annual increment of teak volume was linearly and positively correlated with foliar N, Ca, Fe and B concentrations, with soil base saturation percentage, available P and Zn concentrations, and negatively correlated with soil Al concentration. Only if the Ca and Mg contents in soil were enhanced, could the increase in soil base saturation percentage benefit teak growth. A revised classification of low-and high-yielding stands was established by using a sorting method of principal components over 6 foliar macro and 8 micro elements in a Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System （DRIS）. Specific DRIS norms for teak plantations in acid soils were derived. The nutrient balance of N, P, K Ca, Mg, Zn, B with Fe or A1, Ca with Mg, and Fe with AI provided a key to promote the growth of teak in acid soils. Meanwhile, soil Zn was also found as a primary trace element that affected teak growth in this study.

Overview of Relation between Mineral Nutrient Elements and Growth and Development of Fruit Trees

Mineral nutrition is the material basis for growth and development,yield and quality of fruit trees. It exerts a great effect on the growth and development,fruit quality,yield,and resistance of fruit trees. On the basis of reading a large number of references both at home and abroad,this paper elaborated the relationship between mineral nutrient elements and growth and fruit yield and quality of fruit trees,so as to make proper fertilizer mixing,balance the fertilizer application,promote growth and development of fruit trees,and increase the yield of fruit trees and improve the fruit quality.

Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System(DRIS)to Assess the Nutritional State of Cotton Crop in Brazil

The diagnosis of nutritional state is an important tool to understand the nutritional requirement of plants and the influence of the nutritional balance on the yield. The proposed in this study was to apply the Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) to assess the nutritional state of cotton crop through the order of nutrient requirement and nutritional balance. Yield data from plots (average acreage 100 ha) and foliar concentrations of macro and micronutrients of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum r. latifolium) plants were stored in a database. The criterion to define the reference population consisted of plots with above-average yields + 2/3 standard deviation (over 4785 kg·ha-1 seed cotton yield). The DRIS method was efficient to evaluate the nutrition state of cotton. It was feasible to identify the order of plant requirement and nutritional balance. It was feasible to observe that when minor the Nutritional Balance Index (NBI) it’s higher the yield. It means that to reach high yield it is necessary to show low NBI. The Sulphur, Boron and Zinc showed the higher frequency as the most required nutrients by plant. The Magnesium and Manganese were the less required by the cotton plant, this means that both of them were limiting the yield by excess in the tissue.

Near-infrared leaf reflectance modeling of Annona emarginata seedlings for early detection of variations in nitrogen concentration

Nitrogen(N)monitoring is essential in nurseries to ensure the production of high-quality seedlings.Nearinfrared spectroscopy(NIRS)is an instantaneous,nondestructive method to monitor N.Spectral data such as NIRS can also provide the basis for developing a new vegetation spectral index(VSI).Here,we evaluated whether NIRS combined with statistical modeling can accurately detect early variations in N concentration in leaves of young plants of Annona emargiaata and developed a new VSI for this task.Plants were grown in a hydroponics system with 0,2.75,5.5or 11 mM N for 45 days.Then we measured gas exchange,chlorophylla fluorescence,and pigments in leaves;analyzed complete leaf nutrients,and recorded spectral data for leaves at 966 to 1685 nm using NIRS.With a statistical learning approach,the dimensionality of the spectral data was reduced,then models were generated using two classes(N deficiency,N)or four classes(0,2.75,5.5,11 mM N).The best combination of techniques for dimensionality reduction and classification,respectively,was stepwise regression(PROC STEPDISC)and linear discriminant function.It was possible to detect N deficiency in seedlings leaves with 100%precision,and the four N concentrations with93.55%accuracy before photosynthetic damage to the plant occurred.Thereby,NIRS combined with statistical modeling of multidimensional data is effective for detecting N variations in seedlings leaves of A.emarginata.

Seasonal variation of microelement contents in leaves of Cyclocarea paliurus among the provenances

Cyclocarya paliurus as a multiple function plant can accumulate biologically important microelement elements.To reveal the variation of selected microelement concentrations in leaves of C.paliurus provenances during the growing season,12 C.paliurus provenances in the field trial were sampled five times at approximately 1-month intervals.The method of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer（ICP-OES） was employed to determinate average concentrations of Fe,Mn,Zn,Cu and Se in leaves of 12 C.paliurus provenances.The results show that on average,the concentrations of five microelement in the leaves follows an order of Fe Mn Zn Cu Se.Variance analysis shows that there are significant differences in Fe,Mn and Zn concentrations among the twelve provenances（p0.05）,while there is no significant difference between Cu and Se concentrations.A significant difference was also observed in the concentrations of five microelements at the different sampling times（p0.001）,but the mean concentrations for each microelement showed different temporal dynamic patterns.Meanwhile,a significant correlation between concentrations of Se and other measured microelements was detected in the leaves of C.paliurus,except for Mn.Obtained results not only demonstrated that leaves of C.paliurus exhibited higher levels of microelements（Fe,Mn,Cu,Zn and Se）,but also provided a basis for breeding strategies of superior provenances with rich content of microelements,and choosing optimum harvesting time for food industry in future.

Evaluation and Application of Two High-Iron Transgenic Rice Lines Expressing a Pea Ferritin Gene

A total of 105 transgenic dce lines independently transformed with a pea ferritin gene （Fer） were previously obtained. After seven generations of selfing and β-glucuronidase （GUS） assisted selection, 82 transgenic lines with stable agronomic traits were got. Among the 82 transgenic lines, two high-iron transgenic rice lines Fer34 and Fer65, with the iron contents in the milled rice being 4.82 and 3.46 times of that of the wild type Xiushui 11, respectively were identified. In the two transgenic lines, the exogenous Fer gene was highly expressed, and inherited as a single locus. The transgene had no negative effect on the agronomic traits of rice plant, other mineral nutritional components, appearance quality and eating quality of the milled rice, indicating that these two lines were elite high-iron breeding lines. Furthermore, the practical application and further studies facilitating utilization of the two elite breeding lines were discussed.

Growth and Visual Symptoms of Nutrients Deficiency in Mangosteens(Garcinia mangostana L.)

The aims of study were to evaluate growth and characterize the visual symptoms of macronutrient and micronutrient deficiencies in mangosteens. The seedlings were cultivated in nutritive solution containing all required macronutrient and micronutrients and in solutions with omission of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn, using the missing element technique. The experimental design was completely randomized with five replicates and twelve treatments. Symptoms of nutrient deficiency were accompanied by photographic records and described from beginning until complete definition, in which the plants were collected. Growth was evaluated through of dry mass production and nutrient contents. Nutrients omissions resulted in morphological alterations, characteristic symptoms of nutritional deficiency, promoted the reduction in dry mass production in plant, in which the Fe was most limiting, followed by N, and S. Macronutrients and micronutrients contents, without deficiencies (complete treatment) and deficient in mangosteen leaves were respectively: N (16.4 and 12.5 g kg-1);P (1.1 and 0.2 g kg-1);K (10.2 and 8.1 g kg-1);Ca (6.7 and 1.9 g kg-1);Mg (1.1 and 0.1 g kg-1);S (3.0 and 2.2 g kg-1);B (20 and 16 mg kg-1);Cu (7 and 3 mg kg-1);Fe (266 and 86 mg kg-1);Mn (58 and 17 mg kg-1). The decreasing order in appearance of visual symptoms of deficiency was N > S > K > B > Ca > P > Mg > Mn > Cu > Zn.

Growth and nutrient accumulation of Brazil nut trees(Bertholletia excelsa) in agroforestry at different fertilizer levels

The Brazil nut tree（Bertholletia excelsa） is a frequent component of agroforestry systems in the Amazon because of its adaptation to nutrient-poor upland soils and multiple uses.We investigated the aboveground biomass production（kg dry weight）,nutrient uptake and requirements（N,P,Ca,Mg,K） of Brazil nut trees of different sizes grown under agroforestry conditions and fertilized at different levels.Eight of 70 experimental trees with different size were harvested and stem,branches and leaves were separated.Nutrient contents were determined for three trees of varying size.Average tree growth was fast,but variability was high,suggesting considerable potential for the improvement of this economically important species.The trees responded to increased levels of fertilizer and lime with significantly increased foliar nutrient contents and growth,probably because of the improved availability of Mg and Ca for which the species seems to have a relatively high demand.In contrast to Brazil nut trees grown in forest or dense plantations,the agroforestry trees invested a substantial part of their biomass and nutrients in large branches and developed spreading crowns.To improve stem form,reduce competition with associated crops for light and recycle nutrients,regular pruning of lower branches or planting arrangements that favor self-pruning are recommended.These measures would also increase the recycling of Ca and Mg,large quantities of which are contained in the branches.

True grit: ingestion of small stone particles by hummingbirds in West Mexico

Background: Grit is used by birds mainly for grinding hard food items but can also serve a nutritional role as a source of minerals. Ingestion of grit by birds has been documented primarily in species that feed on seeds and invertebrates.Although feeding mainly on nectar and small arthropods, hummingbirds also ingest grit, but why they do so is unclear. We quantified the number of grit particles in the stomachs of six species of hummingbirds during an annual cycle in a seasonal ecosystem of West Mexico.Methods: We compared the number of grit particles in the stomachs of different hummingbird species(Mexican Violetear Colibri thalassinus, Amethyst-throated Mountaingem Lampornis amethystinus, White-eared Hummingbird Basilinna leucotis, Rivoli's Hummingbird Eugenes fulgens, Broad-tailed Hummingbird Selasphorus platycercus, and Rufous Hummingbird S. rufus), and between sex and age categories during the different seasons of a year. To deter-mine if grit was used to grind ingested arthropods, we examined the relationships between the number of grit parti-cles, the biomass of arthropods ingested, and their chitin content.Results: Although species did not differ in the number of grit particles in their stomachs, we found that grit was mostly ingested by female individuals, with only one male of one species(Mexican Violetear) presenting grit in its stomach. We also found that female hummingbirds had grit in their stomachs during the rainy and the cold-dry season(June-February) but not during the warm-dry season(March-May). Our analyses revealed no relationship between the number of grit particles and the amount of ingested arthropods and arthropod chitin content. However,high grit consumption was related to wasp ingestion on Mexican Violetears.Conclusions: Our results indicate that grit is used mainly by female hummingbirds. The seasonal variation in the ingestion of grit by female individuals suggests that it can be used to meet mineral requirements related to breed-ing;however, this topic needs further exploration. Additionally, the use of grit was proportionally higher in juvenile individuals, suggesting it is used for grinding arthropods during a period of fast development.

Effects of Different NaCl Doses on Morphological and Physiological Parameters in Mentha piperita L.

Salt stress is one of the most serious limiting factors for crop growth and production. This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of salt stress in four Mentha piperita L. varieties, in greenhouse conditions. The seedlings were irrigated with 1/2 Hoagland nutrition solutions. Following 10 d of growth in the pots, the seedlings were subjected to salt stress with different concentrations of NaCl （0, 50 and 100 mM, respectively）. Responses of the mint varieties to salt stress were evaluated using some plant growth and physiological parameters, such as plant height, root length, shoot and root fresh and dry weight, and ion concentrations in leaves, such as Na, K, Ca and Cl. Salt stress caused reduction in physiological parameters. However, this reduction was significant at 100 mM NaCl compared to 50 mM NaCl. These two concentrations of NaCl increased Na and Cl contents in leaves. However, K and Ca contents were decreased with salinity. The results showed that Mentha piperita cv. Sewiss and Granada were found more tolerant to salt stress than cv. Marokko and Citaro.

Evolving technologies for growing,imaging and analyzing 3D root system architecture of crop plants

A plant＇s ability to maintain or improve its yield under limiting conditions,such as nutrient de ficiency or drought,can be strongly in fluenced by root system architecture（RSA）,the three-dimensional distribution of the different root types in the soil. The ability to image,track and quantify these root system attributes in a dynamic fashion is a useful tool in assessing desirable genetic and physiological root traits. Recent advances in imaging technology and phenotyping software have resulted in substantive progress in describing and quantifying RSA. We have designed a hydroponic growth system which retains the three-dimensional RSA of the plant root system,while allowing for aeration,solution replenishment and the imposition of nutrient treatments,as well as high-quality imaging of the root system. The simplicity and flexibility of the system allows for modi fications tailored to the RSA of different crop species and improved throughput. This paper details the recent improvements and innovations in our root growth and imaging system which allows for greater image sensitivity（detection of fine roots and other root details）,higher ef ficiency,and a broad array of growing conditions for plants that more closely mimic those found under field conditions.

Elevated CO_2 Accelerates Phosphorus Depletion by Common Bean(Phaseolus vulgaris) in Association with Altered Leaf Biochemical Properties

Phosphorus （P） is a major limiting factor for plant productivity in many ecosystems and agriculture. The projected increase in atmospheric CO2 is likely to result in changes in plant mineral consumption and growth. We studied P depletion by common bean （Phaseolus vulgaris） cultured hydroponically under ambient （377±77μmol mol^-1） or elevated （650±32 μmol mol^-1） CO2 in media of low or high P. Under elevated CO2 compared to ambient CO2, the maximum P depletion rate increased by 98% at low P and 250% at high P, and P was depleted about 2-5 weeks sooner; leaf acid phosphatase （APase） activity and chlorophyll content both increased significantly; root-to-shoot ratio increased significantly at high P, although it was unaffected at low P; lateral root respiration rate showed no change, suggesting that COs did not affect P depletion via metabolic changes to the roots; the total biomass at final harvest was significantly higher at both low and high P. Our data showed that the increased rate and amount of P depletion during plant growth under elevated CO2 occurred in association with alterations in leaf biochemical properties, i.e., enhanced activities of leaf APase and increased leaf chlorophyll content.