Marina Putnik-Delić

Effect of yttrium on photosynthesis and water relations in young maize plants

Abstract Despite an increase in spectrum of industrial applications of yttrium (Y) and the fact that it is widely present in the soils and plants, some of which are agronomically important crops, its effects on plant growth and metabolism are still obscure. Therefore, the aim of this work was to examine the effect of different concentrations of Y on its accumulation and distribution, photosynthetic responses, water relations, free proline concentration and growth of young maize plants. The experiment was done with maize ( Zea mays L., hybrid NS-640), in water cultures, under semi-controlled conditions of a greenhouse. Plants were supplied with half-strength complete Hoagland nutrient solution, to which was added either 0 (control), 10 −5 , 10 −4 or 10 −3 mol/L Y, in the form of Y(NO) 3 ·5H 2 O. Each variant was set in thirteen replications, with six plants in each replication. Plants were grown for 21 d and they were at the stage of 3 and 4 leaves when they were analyzed. The presence of Y reduced maize growth and photosynthetic performance. Dimensions of stomata significantly decreased while their density significantly increased on both adaxial and abaxial epidermis. Plant height, root length, total leaf area and dry mass also declined. Concentration of photosynthetic pigments (chl a and b and carotenoids) and free proline decreased. Photosynthesis and transpiration were impaired in the presence of Y – their intensities were also reduced, and the same stands for stomatal conductance of water vapor, photosynthetic water use efficiency (WUE) and water content. Although the highest concentration of Y was found in maize roots in each treatment, Y concentration in the second leaf and shoot also significantly increased with an increase in Y concentration in the nutrient solution. Albeit Y concentration was much higher in roots than in shoots, shoot metabolism and growth were much more disrupted. The results demonstrated that young maize plants accumulated significant amount of Y and that this element, when present in higher concentrations, had unfavorable effect on physiological processes and therefore plant growth.

Growth, ion composition, and stomatal conductance of peas exposed to salinity

Availability of irrigation water of appropriate quality is becoming critical in many regions. Excess salt in irrigation water represents a risk for crop yield, crop quality, and soil properties. During the short vegetation period, field peas require high amounts of water, and irrigation is often indispensable for successful production. Steady presence of NaCl (0.1, 0.2, 0.6 or 1.2 g NaCl L−1 in 1/2 strength Hoagland nutrient solution) under semi-controlled conditions reduced growth and resulted in shorter vegetation. Disturbances in the peas’ water regime were provoked by NaCl, as water content in pea tissues was reduced and stomatal density and stomatal diffusive resistance increased in the presence of higher NaCl concentrations. Concentration of Na+ increased in all pea tissues with increased NaCl concentration in the nutrient medium. In the presence of NaCl, concentrations of K+, Ca2+ and Pi increased in roots, stems and leaves, and decreased and in pods and grains. Concentration ratios Na+/K+, Na+/Ca2+, K+/Ca2+ and (Na++K+)/Ca2+ in various plant parts were affected as well, but magnitudes of changes were variable. Continuous presence of NaCl in concentrations frequently met in irrigation waters significantly reduced pea growth, impaired the water regime, and altered plant chemical composition.

The effect of imidazolium based ionic liquids on wheat and barley germination and growth: Influence of length and oxygen functionalization of alkyl side chain

In this work five different imidazolium based ionic liquids, namely: 1-(2-oxybutyl)-3-methylimidazolium chloride, [C2OC2mIm][Cl]; 1-(2-oxypropyl)-3-methylimidazolium chloride, [C1OC2mIm][Cl]; 1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3-ethylimidazolium chloride, [OHC3eIm][Cl]; 1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3-methylimidazolium chloride, [OHC3mIm][Cl]; 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-methylimidazolium chloride, [OHC2mIm][Cl], together with commercial 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, [bmim][Cl] and synthesized protic imidazolium chloride, [Im][Cl], were prepared and their toxicity examined towards wheat and barley germination and growth. Introduction of the polar groups (in the form of hydroxyde and/or ether group) in the alkyl side chain of the imidazolium cation and their influence on the reduction of the ionic liquids toxicity is demonstrated. The results indicate that toxicity of oxygen functionalized ILs is significantly lower against wheat comparing to non-functionalized analogues. In the case of barley, influence on germination follow the same trend as in the case of wheat, but for seedlings growth different trend is observed with more pronounced toxicity of ether functionalized ILs. From these results it was also shown that alkylation in the position N-3 atom of the imidazole significantly reduces toxicity of cation.

Effects of Heavy Metals on Chemical Composition of Camelina sativa L.

Camelina ( Camelina sativa L.) is studied mostly as oil plant that can replace oilseed rape in the extensive agriculture. It is a good source of oil (40% oil in seeds) similar to sunflower, soybeans, canola, castor been and other oil crops. Oil of camelina is rich in essential omega 3 fatty acids. In addition, seed protein content is relatively high. Camelina has modest requirements for agro-ecological conditions and it is highly resistant to pathogens. Those features make camelina suitable for human nutrition and animal feed. Its use is related to sustainable agriculture, bio-diesel industry, cold-pressed oils and the use of so-called marginal land. Examination of its ability to uptake and accumulate heavy metals (HM) is interesting from the standpoint of 1) food safety and 2) potential for phytoremediation. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of HM on uptake and accumulation of some essential macro- and micronutrients and unwanted HM. Experiments were done with Camelina sativa L., cultivar Stepski 1. The seeds were exposed to 1 µM Cd or Cu and 10 µM Ni or Zn since the beginning of germination. Plants were grown in water cultures, in semi-controlled conditions of a greenhouse, on ½ strength Hoagland solution to which were added HM in the same concentrations as during germination. Concentrations and distribution of Ca, Mg, P, K, Fe and Mn in roots and shoots were altered in the presence of increased concentration of Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn.

Essential (Cu and Zn) and trace (Pb and Cd) heavy metal loads in onion and potato

Heavy metals are one of many pollutants that can be found on the surface and in tissue of fresh vegetables. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to assess and analyse concentrations of essential (Cu and Zn) and trace (Pb and Cd) heavy metals in onion ( Allium cepa L.) and potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) produced in Vojvodina. The concentration of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd was determined in edible plant parts, onion bulbs and potato tubers by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. In only two samples of onion and four samples of potato, the concentration of Cd was above the limit set by regulations of the Republic of Serbia.

Evaluation of the impact of different alkyl length and type of substituent in imidazolium ionic liquids on cucumber germination, growth and oxidative stress

In this work, the effect on cucumber growth of seven different imidazolium-based ionic liquids, namely 1-(2-oxybutyl)-3-methylimidazolium chloride, [C2OC2mIm][Cl]; 1-(2-oxypropyl)-3-methylimidazolium chloride, [C1OC2mIm][Cl]; 1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3-ethylimidazolium chloride, [OHC3eIm][Cl]; 1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3-methylimidazolium chloride, [OHC3mIm][Cl]; 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-methylimidazolium chloride, [OHC2mIm][Cl], 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, [bmim][Cl] and imidazolium chloride, [Im][Cl], were examined. The influence of polarity of the alkyl side chain of the imidazolium cation on the reduction of the ionic liquid’s toxicity is investigated. For all investigated seedlings, significant reduction of biomass was noted, with the incoherent influence of the ionic liquid (IL) concentration. The total inhibition of germination was shown at the highest used concentration for some of the used ionic liquids. Although investigated ILs affected root and shoot growth of cucumber, the effect on stress marker (MDA) as well as biosynthesis of chlorophyll and carotenoids was negligible. The data collected in this research suggest that tuning of the lipophilicity of imidazolium cations by the introduction of polar groups in the side alkyl chain does not have pronounced effect on cucumber, as it was shown for other plant species.

Foliar and root treatments of cucumber with potassium naphthenate: Antioxidative responses

This work presents a study of the effect of foliar and root application of low concentrations (0.1–10 µM) of potassium naphthenate on the antioxidative status of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), assessed for both local and systemic organs. Changes in the contents of proline and glutathione indicate that the treatment of plants with potassium naphthenate can be characterized as a mild abiotic stress. The antioxidative system of cucumber plants is sensitive to such treatment, since organs directly exposed to the chemical showed a decrease in total antioxidant activities and an increase in peroxidation. In the organs that were not directly treated, an increase in the total antioxidative activity was observed only at the lowest naphthenate concentration while at higher concentrations this activity tended to decrease. As far as the activities of antioxidant enzymes (guaiacol peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase) are concerned, the responses observed differed between enzymes for a given treatment, but showed similar trends within treated local and untreated systemic organs.