Gederts Ievinsh

Vermicompost treatment differentially affects seed germination, seedling growth and physiological status of vegetable crop species

Vermicompost preparations are increasingly used in agricultural practice. There is a possibility, that crop plants are sensitive to negative effect of vermicompost at early stages of development. The aim of the present study was to test the effects of vermicompost on seed germination and seedling growth of different vegetable crop species. Vermicompost substitution inhibited seed germination and seedling growth with almost linear decrease of growth with increasing concentration of vermicopost in the substrate. However, both leaf chlorophyll content and photochemical activity of photosynthesis increased in all crop species with the exception of pea seedlings. Vermicompost extract as a watering solution showed positive effect on growth of bean and pea seedlings. Germination response of vermicompost extract-imbibed seeds was clearly crop species-dependent. Hypocotyl growth was stimulated by low and moderate vermicompost extract concentrations. Radicle growth was more sensitive to negative effect of vermicompost extract. It is reported that both solid vermicompost and vermicompost extract contain number of active substances of both phenolic and humic nature, each with own dose- and genotype-dependent effect of seed germination and early stages of seedling development. Findings of this study suggests that vermicompost must be used cautiously for practical purposes of plant propagation.

Critical tests for determination of microbiological quality and biological activity in commercial vermicompost samples of different origins

The aim of the present paper was to show that differences in biological activity among commercially produced vermicompost samples can be found by using a relatively simple test system consisting of microorganism tests on six microbiological media and soilless seedling growth tests with four vegetable crop species. Significant differences in biological properties among analyzed samples were evident both at the level of microbial load as well as plant growth-affecting activity. These differences were mostly manufacturer- and feedstock-associated, but also resulted from storage conditions of vermicompost samples. A mature vermicompost sample that was produced from sewage sludge still contained considerable number of Escherichia coli. Samples from all producers contained several potentially pathogenic fungal species such as Aspergillus fumigatus, Pseudallescheria boidii, Pseudallescheria fimeti, Pseudallescheria minutispora, Scedosporium apiospermum, Scedosporium prolificans, Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, Stachybotrys chartarum, Geotrichum spp., Aphanoascus terreus, and Doratomyces columnaris. In addition, samples from all producers contained plant growth-promoting fungi from the genera Trichoderma and Mortierella. The described system can be useful both for functional studies aiming at understanding of factors affecting quality characteristics of vermicompost preparations and for routine testing of microbiological quality and biological activity of organic waste-derived composts and vermicomposts.

Reactive oxygen and ethylene are involved in the regulation of regurgitant-induced responses in bean plants.

Application of regurgitant from Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say on wound surfaces of one wounded leaf of intact bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants resulted in activation of ethylene biosynthesis followed by an increase of both peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activity. The aim of the present investigation was to study the source of increased oxidative enzyme activities in regurgitant-treated bean leaves and to determine if hydrogen peroxide and ethylene biosynthesis is responsible for regurgitant-induced amplification of wound responses in bean plants. As the regurgitant contained relative high activities of both peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase, there is a possibility that increased enzyme activities in bean leaves following regurgitant treatment is an artifact of insect-derived enzymes. Localisation experiments and electrophoretic analysis revealed that only part of the increased enzyme activities could be attributed to regurgitant-derived enzymes. Both increase of ethylene production and oxidative enzyme activities depended on protein synthesis. To demonstrate if the increase of oxidative metabolism was ethylene-dependent, seedlings were pretreated with aminooxyacetic acid, an inhibitor of ethylene biosynthesis, and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), a competitive inhibitor of ethylene action. Increase of both peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activity in wounded and subsequently regurgitant-treated leaf was abolished by both aminooxyacetic acid and 1-MCP. Inhibitor studies indicated that H2O2 generated through NADPH oxidase and superoxide dismutase is necessary for regurgitant-induced increase of ethylene production and oxidative enzyme activities.

Wound-induced responses in leaves of strawberry cultivars differing in susceptibility to spider mite

Summary The effect of leaf detachment and wounding on the activities of oxidative enzymes and ethylene production was studied in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) cultivars, differing in susceptibility to the spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch.). Strawberry plants were cultivated during winter in two growth conditions - with and without overwintering, in greenhouse and laboratory, respectively. Polyphenol oxidase activity, peroxidase activity and catalase activity in strawberry leaves depended on the cultivar analysed, type of treatment (detachment or detachment and wounding), as well as on plant growth conditions. Activities of all analysed enzymes were higher in control plants grown in laboratory than in those grown in greenhouse. Cv. ‘Zephyr’, more resistant to T. urticae, had higher activity of wound-induced polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase only for plants grown in laboratory conditions. In contrast, wounding suppressed catalase activity in both cultivars in both growth conditions. Detached leaves of both susceptible cv. ‘Korona’ and partially resistant cv. ‘Zephyr’ plants grown in greenhouse, evolved comparable amounts of wound-induced ethylene with higher rate in cv. ‘Korona’. In contrast, partially resistant cv. ‘Zephyr’, grown in laboratory, had the rate of ethylene production up to 15-times that from leaves of susceptible cv. ‘Korona’. Additional wounding caused even more pronounced differences in ethylene production. The differences in ethylene production between the cultivars were due to leaf integrity because no differences in ethylene production were found from leaf discs between the two cultivars. It is suggested that unfavourable growth condition-modulated responses to leaf wounding reflect changes of putative antiherbivore defense reactions.

Arthropod-induced neoplastic formations on trees change photosynthetic pigment levels and oxidative enzyme activities

Abstract In order to test the hypothesis that arthropod-induced neoplastic formations on trees affect biochemical characteristics of both the newly formed galls and host plant tissues, biochemical characteristics with a possible adaptive role were determined in nine gall-former–host tree combinations. Photosynthetic pigments, extractable protein content, and oxidative enzyme activities were determined in gall tissues, leaf tissues of galled leaves, and leaves on ungalled tree branches. Neoplastic tissues were characterized by a low content of photosynthetic pigments, decreased chlorophyll a/b ratio, lower extractable protein content, and decreased activities of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase as compared with ungalled host leaf tissues. In galled leaves or in leaves adjacent to galls, increased level of peroxidase activity was found. In several gall-inducer–host plant combinations, galled host plant tissues contained increased activity of polyphenol oxidase as well. The presented data reflect long-term systemic effects of neoplastic formation on host tree physiology suggesting that gall inducers affect potential adaptive responses of host plants.

Vermicompost from municipal sewage sludge affects growth and mineral nutrition of winter rye (Secale cereale) plants

ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to investigate sewage sludge vermicompost application effects on growth and mineral nutrition of winter rye (Secale cereale L.) plants as compared to two initial levels of mineral nutrient availability, pure sand and sand enriched with inorganic nutrients at the optimal level. Addition of sewage sludge vermicompost significantly inhibited rye seed germination at 20 to 50% sand substitution independently on mineral nutrient supplement. Growth inhibition was evident at early stages of plant development. However, at the later stages, sewage sludge vermicompost acted both as mineral fertilizer and plant growth-promoting agent. Significant stimulation of mineral uptake was seen only at high rates of vermicompost substitution (40 and 50%) already causing decrease in shoot dry matter accumulation. Vermicompost substitution resulted in a significant increase of leaf chlorophyll content. Beneficial effect of sewage sludge vermicompost in conditions of optimal mineral supply can result mainly from plant growth-promoting activity.

Development of retrotransposon-based SSAP molecular marker system for study of genetic diversity in sea holly (Eryngium maritimum L.)

Eryngium maritimum L. is a wild plant species threatened or endangered in most of Northern Europe, where species is on the northern margin of its distribution range. Recent studies have found reduction of size and even extinction of many populations. Assessment of genetic diversity in natural populations of endangered wild plant species can reflect condition and fitness of particular population and inform decisions on appropriate conservation measures. Application of inter simple sequence repeat markers and chloroplast DNA sequencing could not resolve genetic relationship between E. maritimum populations in Northern Europe. Therefore, the more sensitive retrotransposon-sequence-specific amplification polymorphism (SSAP) molecular marker system was developed. Six Ty1-copia long terminal repeat retrotransposons were isolated from E. maritimum genome (Tem1‐Tem6) and assessed for their utility as molecular markers in this species. Two retrotransposons ‐ Tem2 and Tem5 ‐ were recognized as most informative based on the level of polymorphism and SSAP banding pattern quality. On average, 20.4% of SSAP bands were polymorphic for the five most informative primer combinations in a set of 150 Northern European E. maritimum plants from 13 locations, providing a useful tool for assessment of genetic diversity in this endangered species.

Characterization of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase from barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seedlings and pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) needles

Abstract Biochemical characteristics of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) oxidase extracted from barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) leaves and pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) needles were investigated. ACC oxidase from barley leaves was soluble while for complete recovery of ACC oxidase from pine needles addition of Triton X-100 to extraction medium was necessary. The enzyme required Fe 2+ , ascorbate and NaHCO 3 for maximum activity. A non-linear time course of ACC oxidase reaction indicated possible catalytic inactivation of the enzyme. The maximum activity was measured at pH 7.0–7.2 for ACC oxidase from both barley leaves and pine needles. The apparent K m for ACC was found to be 77 and 61 μM in the presence of 20 mM NaHCO 3 , for barley and pine ACC oxidase, respectively. The presence of low molecular weight inhibitors in the crude extract from pine needles was found that were separated by a chromatography on Sephadex column. The first peak of a putative activity of ethylene formation eluted from Sephadex column during chromatography of pine needle extract appeared not to represent a native ACC oxidase.

Modulation of Solanum tuberosum L. Morphogenesis and Antioxidative Status in a Stem Explant Culture by Limitation of Gas Exchange: Putative Effects of Ethylene

Summary The main objective of the present study was to test the hypothesis that increased concentrations of ethylene under conditions of limited gas exchange during in vitro cultivation of potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) stem explants may lead to increased capaciry of antioxidative defense. By varying the tightness of closure and application of inhibitors of ethylene biosynthesis it was possible to accumulate various concentrations of ethylene in the internal atmosphere of culture flasks, which depended on excision-stress induced ethylene biosynthesis. In tightly closed cultures inhibition of linear growth, promotion of radial expansion and development of an apical hook occurred. Treatment with inhibitors of ethylene action and ethylene biosynthesis prevented the inhibition of shoot growth. The results suggest that the accumulation of endogenously produced ethylene in culture flasks due to limitation of gas exchange and following wounding stress may cause changes in potato shoot morphogenesis. Ascorbate peroxidase activiry was induced in. newly developing shoots by both limited gas exchange and ethephon treatment. Limitation of gas exchange led to increased activities of other enzymes of the antioxidative system as well. A permanent effect of precultivation in high ethylene concentration on ethylene production and anti oxidative status of potato microplants during subsequent cultivation was found. The data suggest that cultivation of potato stem tissues at increased concentrations of ethylene may lead to improved endogenous oxidative stress tolerance.

Impact of Green Manure and Vermicompost on Soil Suppressiveness, Soil Microbial Populations, and Plant Growth in Conditions of Organic Agriculture of Northern Temperate Climate

The impact of organic amendments on the soil microorganisms and plant growth and health in conditions of organic agriculture of Northern temperate climate was analyzed. Some case studies dealing with green manure or vermicompost amendments are discussed giving deeper analyses of the vermicompost impact on plant growth. The first case study is about the impact of green manure on soil microbial populations and soil suppressiveness against such pathogens as late blight, potato scab, and black scurf of potato in organic agriculture. The second case study is about the use of vermicompost in organic starch potato cultivation. Significantly higher numbers of all groups of analyzed cultivable microorganisms were observed in organic agriculture fields in comparison to conventional fields. Results obtained by molecular methods regarding fungal diversity did not show such an increase. Controversial results about plant health, in terms of disease suppressiveness, have been obtained. The possible acting mechanisms of the vermicompost on plant growth are discussed. Our studies raise particular concerns about the vermicompost. Definitely, the unique nature of organic amendments in each case must be taken into account. Further studies are needed to explain the impact of green manure and vermicompost on the plant health.