Study on Cadmium Tolerance of Seed Germination and Seedlings Growth of Different Rice Varieties

The research used bioassay method to explore seed tolerance of Cd in terms of seed germination and seedling growth. Specifically, 12 rice varieties of three types were investigated under Cd stress, covering germination rate, shooting index, vigor index, seedling and shoot lengths, and fresh weights. The results showed that as Cd concentration grew, seed germination and seedling growth kept increasingly inhibited; germination index, vigor index, root length, shoot length and fresh weights went down; inhibition effects on seed germination and seedling growth were conventional rice〉two-line hybrid rice〉three-line hybrid ,rice. Shanyou 9588, Tianyou 998, Chuanxiang 8, and Y Liangyou 1 performed ~rongly in Cd tolerance; C Liangyou 651, Nei 5 You 263, Xiangwanxian 16, Huanghuazhan, Xiangwanxian 13, and Zhunliangyou 527 performed poorly in Cd tolerance, and Cd tolerance of rest treatments were moderate.

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.

Effects of sludge on germination and initial growth performance of Leucaena leucocephala seedlings in the nursery

A study was carried out to determine the influence of different types of sludges （municipal, industrial and residential） on field germination, growth and nodulation of L. leucocephala seedlings in the nursery. Before sowing of seeds, different combinations of sludges were incorporated with the nutrient deficient natural forest soils. Field germination, nodulation status and physical growth parameters of seedlings （shoot and root length, vigor index, collar diameter, leaf number, fresh and dry weight of shoot and root and total dry biomass increment） were recorded after three and six months of seed sowing. Field germination, nodulation status and growth parameters were varied significantly in the soil amended with sludges in comparison to control. The highest number of nodule was recorded from soil amended with residential sludge （ 1：1 ） and highest fresh and dry nodule weight was also found from the same combination in both three and six month old seedlings. In case of growth parameters, the highest growth was recorded from soil and residential sludge （ 1：1 ） combination compared to control. From the study, it can be recommended that soil amended with residential sludge （ 1：1 ） provide better field germination, growth and nodule formation of L. leucocephala in degraded soil.

Effects of different culture media on the growth of Indian sandalwood(Santalum album L.) seedlings in Zhanjiang,Guangdong,southern China

We studied the effects of different culture media on the growth of India sandalwood （Santalum album L.） seedlings in Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province in southern China. Five different growth substrates, lateritic subsoil, burnt soil, agricultural soil, peaty soil and coconut dust, were used as the basic culture materials and seven different treatments of composition were used as potting media. Kuhnia rosmarinifolia Vent. was used as a primary host plant for all treatments. Statistically significant differences were found between treatments in respects of survival rate （p 〈 0.001）, height （p 〈 0.001）, ground diameter （p 〈 0.001） and biomass （p = 0.002）, as well as for quality index （p 〈 0.001） of S. album seedlings after 6-month growth in containers with different culture media. Among all treatments, the treatment combining burnt soil, peat and coconut dust in a weight ratio of 1：1：1 plus 2% calcium super-phosphate as basal manure achieved the best performance for most of the seedling growth parameters, including survival rate （98%）, height （35.81 cm）, ground diameter （0.56 cm）, biomass （4.46 g） and quality index （0.65）, followed by the treatment using only burnt soil plus 2% calcium super-phosphate as the culture medium （survival rate 86%, height 29.23 cm, ground diameter 0.48 cm, biomass 3.36 g and quality index 0.52）, while the treatment using only lateritic subsoil plus the basal manure as the medium obtained the poorest results in survival rate （38%）, height （12.04 cm）, ground diameter （0.19 cm）, biomass （0.26 g） and quality index （0.043）. Increasing the proportion of lateritic subsoil in the medium when mixed with peat and coconut dust did not show statistically significant differences in survival, height, ground diameter, biomass nor in quality index. In consideration of cost, using burnt soil plus 2% calcium super-phosphate as basal manure may be the optimum culture medium for large-scale production of Indian sandal- wood seedlings in Guangdong, southern China.

Effects of seedling age on the growth stage and yield formation of hydroponically grown long-mat rice seedlings

Understanding the characteristics of rice productivity is of great importance for achieving high yield formation.However,such traits have not yet been studied for different ages of hydroponically grown long-mat rice seedlings(HLMS),which constitutes a new method of seedling cultivation.Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of seedling age on the growth stage,photosynthesis characteristics,dry matter production,and yield of HLMS.A conventional japonica rice cultivar(Wuyunjing 24)and an indica hybrid rice cultivar(6 Liangyou 9368)were used as test materials.The results showed that the whole phase was shortened by 13-15 days for young seedlings(13-day-old)compared with old seedlings(27-day-old),which occurred because the growth process accelerated with the transplantation of young seedlings.As seedling age increased,the dry matter weight of stems of individual plants and of the population increased at the transplanting stage but decreased at the maturity stage(MS).Compared with that of 27-day-old seedlings,the average ratio of panicle weight to total plant dry weight of 13-day-old seedlings during a 2-year period increased by 3.71%for Wuyunjing 24 and by 3.78%for 6 Liangyou 9368 at the MS.Moreover,as seedling age increased,the leaf area index and photosynthetic potential decreased for both cultivars,and the photosynthetic rate markedly decreased at the heading stage(HS).With the exception of that of Wuyunjing 24 from the jointing stage to the HS in 2014,the crop growth rate was higher for young seedlings than for old seedlings.Grain yield significantly decreased with seedling age,but no significant difference was detected between the 13-and 20-day-old seedlings for either cultivar.Therefore,equilibrious and high biological yield formation,vigorous growth in the late stages,and high photosynthetic production capacity are important characteristics and causes of the efficient and sustainable output of photosynthetic systems and for achieving high yield formation in young transplanted seedlings(13-20-day-old).

Effects of Cadmium Stress on the Growth of Rice Seedlings

The seedlings of 6 rice varieties were treated with Cd concentrations of 25,50 and 100μmol/L for 5 d.The results showed that the longest root length,seedling height,fresh weight per plant and dry weight per plant of 6 rice varieties were significantly inhibited.The inhibiting effects showed a trend as the following:the longest root length>fresh weight per plant>dry weight per plant>seedling height,and the inhibiting effect increased with the increase of Cd stress concentration.It is more economical and reasonable to use 50μmol/L Cd stress concentration to identify Cd tolerance of rice seedlings.And it is more scienti fic to evaluate the Cd tolerance of rice seedling comprehensively by using the 4 indexes of longest root length,fresh weight per plant,dry weight per plant and seedling height.

Effects of industrial and residential sludge on seed germination and growth parameters of Acacia auriculiformis seedlings

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of sludge （industrial and residential） on seed germination and growth performance of Acacia auriculiformis seedlings at the nursery of Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, Chittagong University （IFESCU）, Bangladesh. Before sowing of the seeds, different combinations of sludge were incorporated with the nutrient-deficient natural forest soils. Seed germination and growth parameters of the seedlings （shoot and root length, collar diameter, fresh and dry weight of shoot, and root and total dry biomass） were recorded after one, two and three months of seed sowing. Physio-chemical parameters （pH, organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium） and heavy metals （chromium, nickel, manganese, cadmium and zinc） of each treatment were also analyzed before sowing of seeds and after harvesting of seedlings. Results show that the seed germination percentage and the seedling growth parameters varied significantly in the soil added with sludge in comparison to control. The highest germination percentage （90%） was observed in the treatment of soil with residential sludge of 2：1 compared to control. The highest growth and biomass of the seedlings as well as the maximum percentage of organic carbon and nutrients （N, P and K） were also recorded in the same combination. Soil added with industrial sludge had a higher concentration of heavy metal than that of residential sludge. The highest concentrations of heavy metals were found in soil added with industrial sludge of 1：1. It is recommended that soil added with residential sludge of 2：1 provide good condition for better seed germination and growth ofA. auriculiformis seedlings in degraded forest soil.

BEAR1, a bHLH transcription factor, controls seedling growth by regulating gibberellins biosynthesis in rice

The genetic pathways of rice seedling growth have a major impact on seedling emergence from soil and development.In this study,we identified a new bHLH transcription factor,BEAR1,from rice RNAi mutant library.Both the BEAR1-RNAi and bear1 CRISPR mutants had accelerated seedling growth.Histological section of leaves showed accelerated development of lacuna and vascular bundles in bear1 mutant.GUS staining revealed that BEAR1 was highly expressed in coleoptiles and leaves at seedling stage.Expression analysis of gibberellin(GA)biosynthesis and metabolic genes and content determination of active GAs indicated that the expression of GA biosynthesis genes,especially OsKS4 and OsCPS2,were upregulated and the GAs content were significantly increased in bear1,which correlated with the seedling phenotype of bear1 mutant.Molecular and biochemical assays revealed that BEAR1 directly binds to the promoter of OsKS4,thereby repressing its expression.Haplotypes analysis showed clear differentiation in indica and japonica rice varieties,and a strong correlation with seedling height.These findings provide novel insights into the regulation of seedling growth in rice.

Impact of slash disposal on soil and water loss and the growth of planted seedlings

The three methods of slash disposal in this experiment were no treatment, strip piling and burning. The results obtained from this study showed that the soil erosion, water and nutrient loss were higher in the logged areas by burning than in the logged areas by no treatment and strip piling. The soil and water loss was not serious when the slope degree of the logged area was less than 16o. The survival rate of planted seedlings was higher and the growth was better in the logged areas followed by burning than in the logged areas by no treatment and strip piling. Burning should not be used when the slope was more than 23o.

EFFECT OF FERTILIZATION ON THE GROWTH OF LARCH SEEDLINGS

The primary purpose of fertilization in nursery soils is to assure production of high-quality planting stock. Therefore, the appropriate information on fertilizers and their use as well as their effects on seedling growth is important to nursery managers in their nursery practice. In this paper, larch seedling growth response to six fertilizers are discussed based on the results of three-year studies which were carried out at Dailing Forest Nursery in 1987.

Effects of Nitrogen,Phosphorus,Potassium and CompoundFertilizer on Growth and Yield of Moringa Seedlings

In order to study the effects of different fertilizers on the growth and yield of Moringa seedlings,potted Moringa seedlings were randomly divided into 5 treatments:nitrogen(treatment 1),phosphorus(treatment 2),potassium(treatment 3),compound fertilizer(treatment 4)and non-fertilization(CK).The ground diameter,plant height,leaf,sprouting,crown width and yield of Moringa seedlings were measured one month later.The results showed that treatment 3 was beneficial to the growth of ground diameter of Moringa seedlings,which was 24.4%higher than CK(P<0.05).Treatment 4 significantly promoted plant height and leaf yield of moringa seedlings,being 56.8%and 76.9%higher than those of CK,respectively(P<0.05).Treatment 2 significantly promoted the sprouting of Moringa seedlings,being 53.8%higher than that of CK(P<0.05).Fertilization treatments had no significant effect on leaf size of Moringa seedlings(P>0.05).

ZmDRR206 functions in maintaining cell wall integrity during maize seedling growth and defense response to external stresses

Plants adaptively change their cell wall composition and structure during their growth,development,and interactions with environmental stresses.Dirigent proteins(DIRs)contribute to environmental adaptations by dynamically reorganizing the cell wall and/or by generating defense compounds.A maize DIR,ZmDRR206,was previously reported to play a dominant role in regulation of storage nutrient accumulation in endosperm during maize kernel development.Here we show that ZmDRR206 mediates maize seedling growth and disease resistance by coordinately regulating biosynthesis of cell wall components for cell-wall integrity(CWI)maintenance.Expression of ZmDRR206 was induced in maize seedlings upon pathogen infection.ZmDRR206 overexpression in maize resulted in reduced seedling growth and photosynthetic activity but increased disease resistance and drought tolerance,revealing a tradeoff between growth and defense.Consistently,ZmDRR206 overexpression reduced the contents of primary metabolites and down-regulated genes involved in photosynthesis,while increasing the contents of major cell wall components,defense phytohormones,and defense metabolites,and up-regulated genes involved in defense and cell-wall biosynthesis in seedlings.ZmDRR206-overexpressing seedlings were resistant to cell-wall stress imposed by isoxaben,and ZmDRR206 physically interacted with ZmCesA10,which is a cellulose synthase unit.Our findings suggest a mechanism by which ZmDRR206 coordinately regulates biosynthesis of cell-wall components for CWI maintenance during maize seedling growth,and might be exploited for breeding strong disease resistance in maize.

Effects of Biochar with Organic Materials on Substratum for Raising Rice Seedlings

[Objective] With a rice variety ＂Long Rice 11＂ as a test cultivar,an experiment of raising rice seedlings with the new substrata prepared from biochar,and maize stalks,rice husks,organic fertilizer,turf,zeolite,fine river sand and arable layer soil by mixing according to certain volume proportions was caried out,in order to investigate the physical and chemical properties of different organic-material seedling-raising substrata and the effects of these substrata on seedling growth.[Method] The experiment raised seedlings in greenhouses and adopted randomized block arrangement.[Result] The substratum of biochar mixed with maize stalks and rice husks could increase the maximum water-holding capacity of the substratum,reduce the volume weight of the substratum and improve the buffering effect of the substratum.It also had great effects on the contents of alkali-hydrolyzale nitrogen and rapidly available potassium in the substratum,and could improve the root number and substantial degree of rice seedlings.[Conclusion] Biochar with maize stalks and rice husks（the treament HC） is the optimal substratum in this study.

Effect of plant growth regulator on rate of twin seedlings of rice with polyembryony

Rice with polyembryony characterized bytwin seedlings is a good genetic tool for apomixisresearch.A study on the effect of five plantgrowth regulators(IAA,KT,GA,2,4-D and6-BAP)on rate of twin seedlings in 3 rice varie.ties with polyembryony(Shuang 3,Shuang 13and Lu 52)was conducted.The results showed

Physiological Characterization of Green Turning of Rice Seedlings at Different Temperatures

Using early indica rice Zhongzao 39 and japonica rice Xiushui 134 as the experimental materials, the effects of 4 temperature levels after transplantation on turning green, leaf growth, tillering, dry matter accumulation and nutrition absorption were studied using a greenhouse and an artificial climate chest. We found that （1） tillering did not occur and growth of one new leaf took over 15 days at 16℃. New leaf growth took over 10 days and tillering occurred after 15 days of transplanta- tion at 19 ℃. Tillering appeared 10 days after planting and new leaf growth took 5 days between 22 and 25 ℃. This showed that low temperature impeded the turn- ing green of rice seedlings and the temperature must reach above 19 ℃ to ensure timely appearance of new leaf, tillering and turning green in rice seedlings. （2） When the temperature was 10 increased, both 100-seedling dry weight and nitrogen absorption increased. At temperatures lower 11 than 19 ℃, both dry weight incre- ment and nitrogen absorption were low. Nitrogen absorption of all organs increased obviously between 19 and 22 ℃. Thus, 19 ℃ was found to be an minimum tem- perature for plant organs to absorb nutrients. （3）Tiller of seedling cultivated on dry- land soil and substrate grew quickly and tillering occurred about 7 days after trans- planting. After that, the growth rate was about 0.18 tiller per day. For seedlings cultivated in slurry, tillering occurred 10 days after transplanting and the tillers grew at a rate of 0.16 tiller per day. However, substrate choice during the seedling rais- ing stage had no significant influence on leaf age. （4） Japonica rice exhibited stronger resistance to low temperature than indica rice. Tillering began at about the same time after transplanting in both rice varieties, but japonica rice exhibited higher tillering speed than early indica rice. The speed of leaf growth was higher in japoni- ca rice before transplantation but higher in indica rice after transplantation.

Effects of Exogenous GA_3 on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Salicornia europaea L. under Salt Stress

[Objective] The paper was to study the effects of exogenous GA3 on seed germination and seedling growth of Salicornia europaea L.under salt stress.[Method] With the combination of different concentrations of NaCl（50,100,150,200,250,300,350,400 mmol/L）with 10 μmol /L GA3 treatments,the effects of exogenous GA3 on seed germination and seedling growth of S.europaea under salt stress were studied.[Result] Exogenous GA3 promoted the seed germination rate,germination capacity,germination index and seed vigor index of S.europaea under salt stress.Under the treatment of exogenous GA3,the root system vigor,the lengths of roots and stems and the salt-tolerance of S.europaea were higher than that of single salt stress treatment.[Conclusion] Within a certain concentration range,exogenous GA3 could alleviate the inhibition effects of salt stress on seed germination and seedling growth of S.europaea.

Effects of Pb Stress on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Two Weed Species Seeds

Objective] The aim was to investigate the effects of Pb stress on seed germination and seedling growth of Chenopodium glaucum and Chenopodium serot-inum L. [Method] With C. glaucum and C. serotinum as the study objects, the ef-fects of different concentrations of Pb on their seed germination and seedling growth, as wel as on the leaf SOD, POD and CAT activity were studied primarily. [Result] The germination potential of both the two kinds of weed seeds increased first and then decreased with the increase of Pb concentration. The germination po-tential of C. serotinum and C. glaucum seeds reached the peak at Pb concentration of 25 and 50 mg/L, respectively. With the increase of Pb treatment concentration, the germination rate, germination index and vigor index of C. serotinum and C. glaucum seeds decreased, and their bud length and root length also reduced gradu-al y. ln overal , the leaf SOD, POD and CAT activity of C. glaucum and C. serot-inum_ seedlings increased first and then decreased with the increased treatment concentration of Pb. The leaf SOD and POD activity of C. glaucum and C. serot-inum seedlings reached the maximum at Pb concentration of 200 and 100 mg/L, respectively, and the leaf CAT activity reached the maximum at Pb concentration of 100 mg/L. [Conclusion] The two Chenopodium species had strong tolerance to Pb stress, and they could be used as alternative accumulator plants of soil Pb contami-nation.

Effects of Cadmium Stress on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Brassica napus L.

To investigate the effects of the heavy metal cadmium （Cd） on seed ger- mination and seedling growth of Brassica napus L., 25 B. napus lines with different genetic background were treated with four concentrations （0, 1, 5 and 10 mg/L） of Cd, and then, their germination potential, germination rate, seedling length, main root length, seedling fresh weight, and seedling dry weight were measured. The re- sults showed that the response of the B. napus lines to Cd stress was different. With the increase of Cd concentration, the relative germination potential and relative seedling rate increased first and then decreased, and reached the maximum levels when the Cd concentration was 5 rag/L. The inhibitory effects of Cd stress on seedling growth indices in a decreasing order were root length〉seedling length〉 seedling fresh weight〉seedling water content. There were extremely significant differ- ences in the relative root length, relative seedling length, relative seedling fresh weight and relative seedling water content among the B. napus lines treated by dif- ferent concentrations of Cd, while there were no significant differences in the rela- tive germination potential and relative seedling rate among the lines, except that the relative seedling rate was significantly different among the lines treated by 5 mg/L Cd. The results suggested that seedling growth was more sensitive than seed ger- mination to heavy metal stress.

Effect of trace elements on growth of Pinus tabulaeformis seedling

The stimulative effect of trace elements on seed germination and seedling growth of Pinus tabulaeformis was tested. The experiments were carried out on seed soak and topdressing with different trace elements and varied concentrations at the nursery of Gardens Research Institute, Harbin, in 2000-2001. The experimental results showed that soaking seed with 1% and 0.2% concentrations of Mn element produced best result for seed germination, and the germination rate was increased by 9%~19% for the seeds treated with 1% concentration and 12%~14% for the seeds treated with 0.2% concentration compared with the control group. The seeds treated with boron element had lowest germination rate. For trace element topdressing, Mn and Mo elements presented good result for seedling growth and the treatment with low concentration was even better. The height or chlorophyll content of the seedlings with spray of low-concentration Mn and Mo element was much higher than that of untreated ones. In the contrast to the treating method of seed soak, topdressing (application of spraying on foliage) had evident effect on seedling growth.

Effects of Liquid Seaweed Bio-organic Fertilizer on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Vegetables

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effects of liquid seaweed bio-organic fertilizer on seed germination and seedling growth of different vegetables. [Method] Serial dilution concentrations of liquid seaweed bio-organic fertilizer were prepared for seed soaking and pot incubation of cucumber, tomato and chili, to ob- serve the effects of liquid seaweed bio-organic fertilizer on seed germination and seedling growth of vegetables. [Result] Compared with the control, germination rate of cucumber and tomato seeds applied with 600-fold liquid seaweed bio-organic fer- tilizer varied significantly; germination rate of chili seeds applied with 400-fold liquid seaweed bio-organic fertilizer varied significantly; germination energy and germination index of chili seeds applied with different dilution concentrations of liquid seaweed bio-organic fertilizer presented no significant differences. In addition, 200-fold and 400-fold liquid seaweed bio-organic fertilizer significantly improved the root length, plant height, plant fresh weight, plant dry weight, chlorophyll content and leaf area of cucumber, tomato and chili seedlings; after treated with 600-fold liquid seaweed bio-organic fertilizer, root length, chlorophyll content and leaf area of cucumber seedlings varied significantly compared with the control, but no significant differences were observed in plant height, plant fresh weight and plant dry weight; after treated with 600-fold liquid seaweed bio-organic fertilizer, root length, chlorophyll content, plant height, plant fresh weight and plant dry weight of chili and tomato varied sig- nificantly compared with the control, but no significant differences were observed in leaf area. [Conclusion] Soaking vegetable seeds with liquid seaweed bio-organic fer- tilizer can significantly improve seed generation rate and seedling growth.