[Effect of nano-rutile TiO2 and multiwalled carbon nanotubes on the growth of maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings and the relevant antioxidant response].

The effects of nano-rutile TiO2 and multiwalled carbon nanotubes on the growth and antioxidant enzymes of maize (Zea mays L. ) seedlings were investigated under hydroponic conditions. Nano-rutile TiO2 ( > or =50 mg/L) significantly decreased root and shoot growth (p < 0.05) after 9 days, while MWCNTs did not influence the biomass obviously. Under two stress conditions, the antioxidant system was activated respectively. Compared to the control, superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) were up-regulated (p < 0.05). Lipid peroxidation in terms of malondialdehyde (MDA) content was enhanced by TiO2 exposure, whereas, MWCNTs did not cause oxidative damages in maize seedlings. The results indicated that the phytotoxicity of nano-rutile TiO2 was much higher than that of MWCNTs, and oxidative stress induced by nanoparticles (NPs) exposure might play a role in the phytotoxicity of NPs. The remarkable effect of nano-rutile TiO2 is probably attributed to particle composition and shape.

Effects of cadmium stress on alternative oxidase and photosystem II in three wheat cultivars.

The effects of Cd stress (200 micromol/L, 8 days) on respiration and photosynthesis of three wheat cultivars were investigated: Chuanyu 12 (CY12), Chuanmai 42 (CM42), and Chuanmai 47 (CM47). Fifteen-day-old seedlings were exposed to 200 micromol/L CdCl2 for 4 days and 8 days, respectively. The results indicated that Cd was accumulated largely in roots, but little in leaves of all three cultivars. CY12 accumulated the highest level of Cd in roots and showed the weakest resistance. On the contrary, the other two cultivars, CM42 and CM47, adapted better to Cd stress, and their thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) contents were lower than in CY12, but the chlorophyll contents and water contents were higher than in CY12. Additionally, Cd stress prompted the alternative oxidase (AOX) activity and upregulated the cyanide-resistant respiration in CM42 and CM47 after 8 days; no such induction was observed for CY12. The CO2 assimilation rate, leaf stomatal conductance and chlorophyll fluorescence were inhibited by Cd stress in all cultivars, but more severe in the CY12 cultivar. Western blots indicated that the content of the photosystem II proteins LHCII and D1 decreased in CY12, but did not change in CM42 and CM47. While the content of the mitochondrial AOX protein increased markedly in CM42 and CM47, it did not in CY12. These results suggested that AOX and LHCII could be regarded as indicators of plant's resistance to heavy metals.

[Methodology improvement in background elimination in plant Cd measurement by graphite furnace atom absorption].

A problem of higher background value and lower measured Cd value exists when Cd is digested by conventional dry digestion method, measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption, and calculated with peak height numeration. This problem results in difficulty for evaluating samples with Cd contents in the neighborhood of critical values. In order to solve the problem, the present paper focused on background measurement with graphite furnace atomic absorption, modified the pre-preparation procedures of the traditional method, and screened the optimal concentration of the modifier. Results showed that addition of Mg (NO3)2 as a modifier into the samples before incineration was preferred. It could not only yield a clear solution but also reduce its background by ten times, considerably eliminating background interference. In addition, using 3% HNO3 in stead of 1 mol x L(-1) HCl as dilution for the incinerated sample could eliminate the background. The improved methods could acquire a zero concentration of measurement for the blank, re-correct the values measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption and obtain more reliable results.

[Effect of different N, P and K fertilizers on soil pH and available Cd under waterlogged conditions].

In order to tackle the problem of Cd pollution in paddy soils and investigate soil available Cd as affected by different fertilizers, incubation experiments were carried out to study the effects of different N, P and K fertilizers and pH by adding acid or base on soil available Cd under waterlogged conditions. Results revealed that soil pH increased sharply after the soil was flooded, especially at the beginning of incubation, and gradually decreased with incubation time and finally tended to approach the neutral values. The patterns of soil pH change were just opposite to those of soil available Cd, a negative correlation observed between the two. Soil flooding made the soil available Cd drop by 58.2%-84.1%. There were significant differences between different fertilizer types/varieties on soil available Cd, being most complex with N fertilizers and followed by K and P fertilizers. Among the fertilizers studied, ammonium chloride showed the unique ability in reducing soil pH and enhancing soil available Cd, and urea, single super phosphate and potassium chloride also promoted to a less extent amounts of Cd extracted from the soil. Ammonium sulfate, potassium sulfate and mono-ammonium phosphate significantly decreased soil available Cd compared to the CK treatment. Whether or not the soil was flooded, soil available Cd was highly negatively correlated with soil pH after adding acid or base (R = - 0.994 without incubation and R = - 0.919 after incubation for 60 d). The results further suggest that in the Cd polluted paddy soil, use of ammonium chloride should be avoided, S bearing fertilizers in combination with alkaline materials can be adopted, and the rice field should be flooded all the time during growing season, all the these practices can effectively lower soil available Cd.