Influence of flow on phosphorus-dynamics and particle size in agricultural drainage ditch sediments.

Particle size is one factor affecting phosphorus (P) dynamics in soils and sediments. This study investigated how flow facilitated by hydraulic pumps and aquatic vegetation species water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) and water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) affected particle size and P-dynamics in organic sediments in agricultural drainage ditches. Sediments with finer particle size (>0.002 mm) were hypothesized to contain greater total P (TP) and less labile P than sediments with coarser particle size. Particle size was determined using a LS 13 320 Laser Diffraction Particle Size Analyzer. Sediments were tested for pH, TP, and organic matter. Fractions of P were determined using a sequential fractionation experiment and 31P Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy. Larger average particle size and lower average total P concentrations were found in the inflows of the field ditches compared to the outflows. Presence of flow and aquatic vegetation did not have a significant impact on particle size, TP, or labile P fractions. Median (p = 0.10) particle size was not significantly correlated to TP. Overall, there was an average trend of coarser particle size and lower P concentrations in the inflow compared to the outflow. The presence of inorganic limerock could have affected results due to increased P adsorption capacity and larger average particle size compared to the organic fraction of the sediment.

Dynamic distribution of ARGONAUTE1 (AGO1) and ARGONAUTE4 (AGO4) in Hyacinthus orientalis L. pollen grains and pollen tubes growing in vitro.

The transcriptional and posttranscriptional AGO-mediated control of gene expression may play important roles during male monocot gametophyte development. In this report, we demonstrated dynamic changes in the spatiotemporal distribution of AGO1 and AGO4, which are key proteins of the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) in Hyacinthus orientalis male gametophyte development. During maturation of the bicellular pollen grains and in vitro pollen tube growth, the pattern of AGO1 localization was correlated with previously observed transcriptional activity of the cells. During the period of high transcriptional activity, AGO1 is associated with chromatin while the clustered distribution of AGO1 in the interchromatin areas is accompanied by condensation of chromatin and the gradual transcriptional silencing of both cells in mature, dehydrated pollen. During pollen tube growth and the restarting of RNA synthesis in the vegetative nucleus, AGO1 is dispersed in the chromatin. Additionally, the gradual increase in the cytoplasmic pool of AGO1 in the elongating pollen tube indicates the activation of the posttranscriptional gene silencing (PTGS) pathway. During pollen tube growth in the generative cell and in the sperm cells, AGO1 is present mainly in the areas between highly condensed chromatin clusters. Changes in the distribution of AGO4 that indicated the possibility of spatiotemporal organization in the RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) process (cytoplasmic and nuclear steps) were also observed during hyacinth male gametophyte development. Based on our findings, we propose that in the germinating pollen tube, the cytoplasmic assembly of AGO4/siRNA takes place and that the mature complexes could be transported to the nucleus to carry out their function during the next steps of pollen tube growth.

Epigenetic marks in the Hyacinthus orientalis L. mature pollen grain and during in vitro pollen tube growth.

During the sexual reproduction of flowering plants, epigenetic control of gene expression and genome integrity by DNA methylation and histone modifications plays an important role in male gametogenesis. In this study, we compared the chromatin modification patterns of the generative, sperm cells and vegetative nuclei during Hyacinthus orientalis male gametophyte development. Changes in the spatial and temporal distribution of 5-methylcytosine, acetylated histone H4 and histone deacetylase indicated potential differences in the specific epigenetic state of all analysed cells, in both the mature cellular pollen grains and the in vitro growing pollen tubes. Interestingly, we observed unique localization of chromatin modifications in the area of the generative and the vegetative nuclei located near each other in the male germ unit, indicating the precise mechanisms of gene expression regulation in this region. We discuss the differences in the patterns of the epigenetic marks along with our previous reports of nuclear metabolism and changes in chromatin organization and activity in hyacinth male gametophyte cells. We also propose that this epigenetic status of the analysed nuclei is related to the different acquired fates and biological functions of these cells.

Effects of temperature and light intensity on growth and physiology in purple root water hyacinth and common water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes).

In this study, the interaction between temperature and light intensity was investigated in common water hyacinth (CWH) and purple root water hyacinth (PRWH). Effects of different temperatures (11/5, 18/11, 25/18, and 32/25 °C day/night) simultaneously applied at various light intensities (100, 300, and 600 µmol m(-2) s(-1)) to the plants were detected by measuring changes in the root lengths, protein content, sugar content, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, photosynthesis, and dissolved oxygen (DO). Temperature and light intensity significantly influence the growth of water hyacinths, and there was significant interaction among these environmental factors. The results suggest that several environmental factors act synergistically on the growth and physiology of water hyacinths. The higher new root length (NRL) in PRWH indicated that its root growth capacity is higher than in CWH. The soluble sugar content in leaves of CWH was higher than PRWH, indicating that relatively higher sugar content in CWH to low-temperature stress may support its tolerant nature. Lower temperature and light intensity can stimulate the accumulation of MDA content. The net photosynthetic rate (Pn) in leaves of CWH was higher than PRWH. In low temperature, increase light intensity can stimulate the Pn of PRWH and CWH. In CWH and PRWH, Pn showed a similar trend as noted for stomatal conductance (Cond) and transpiration rate (Tr). The capacity of PRWH in adding oxygen to the water column is better than those of CWH.

Ribosomal RNA of Hyacinthus orientalis L. female gametophyte cells before and after fertilization.

The nucleolar activity of Hyacinthus orientalis L. embryo sac cells was investigated. The distributions of nascent pre-rRNA (ITS1), 26S rRNA and of the 5S rRNA and U3 snoRNA were determined using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Our results indicated the different rRNA metabolism of the H. orientalis female gametophyte cells before and after fertilization. In the target cells for the male gamete, i.e., the egg cell and the central cell whose activity is silenced in the mature embryo sac (Piecinski et al. in Sex Plant Reprod 21:247-257, 2008; Niedojadlo et al. in Planta doi: 10.1007/s00425-012-1599-9 , 2011), rRNA metabolism is directed at the accumulation of rRNPs in the cytoplasm and immature transcripts in the nucleolus. In both cells, fertilization initiates the maturation of the maternal pre-rRNA and the expression of zygotic rDNA. The resumption of rRNA transcription observed in the hyacinth zygote indicates that in plants, there is a different mechanism for the regulation of RNA Pol I activity than in animals. In synergids and antipodal cells, which have somatic functions, the nucleolar activity is correlated with the metabolic activity of these cells and changes in successive stages of embryo sac development.

Transcriptional activity of Hyacinthus orientalis L. female gametophyte cells before and after fertilization.

We characterized three phases of Hyacinthus orientalis L. embryo sac development, in which the transcriptional activity of the cells differed using immunolocalization of incorporated 5'-bromouracil, the total RNA polymerase II pool and the hypo- (initiation) and hyperphosphorylated (elongation) forms of RNA Pol II. The first stage, which lasts from the multinuclear stage to cellularization, is a period of high transcriptional activity, probably related to the maturation of female gametophyte cells. The second stage, encompassing the period of embryo sac maturity and the progamic phase, involves the transcriptional silencing of cells that will soon undergo fusion with male gametes. During this period in the hyacinth egg cell, there are almost no newly formed transcripts, and only a small pool of RNA Pol II is present in the nucleus. The transcriptional activity of the central cell is only slightly higher than that observed in the egg cell. The post-fertilization stage is related to the transcriptional activation of the zygote and the primary endosperm cell. The rapid increase in the pool of newly formed transcripts in these cells is accompanied by an increase in the pool of RNA Pol II, and the pattern of enzyme distribution in the zygote nucleus is similar to that observed in the somatic cells of the ovule. Our data, together with the earlier results of Piecinski et al. (2008), indicate post-fertilization synthesis and the maturation of numerous mRNA transcripts, suggesting that fertilization in H. orientalis induces the activation of the zygote and endosperm genomes.

[Effect of hyacinth mulching on rice (Oryza sativa L.) uptake and utilization of nitrogen].

Nitrogen is the most important element for rice growth, and hyacinth can absorb large quantities of nitrogen and accumulate in their tissues. The field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of hyacinth mulching on rice nitrogen (N) concentration, uptake, efficiency and allocation at different growth stages. Taked Yun 2645 as a material, the nitrogen uptake and utilization of rice were evaluated under two different levels of N input: low (LN, 120 kg x hm(-2)) and normal N (NN, 240 kg x hm(-2)) in 2009. Main results showed that: (1) Compared with AMB, hyacinth mulching significantly increased N concentration in rice plant over the season, hyacinth mulching significantly increased nitrogen accumulation in rice plant, and the increasing rate was gradual addition from mid-tillering to heading, but from heading to maturity the increasing rate was gradual decline. (2) Hyacinth mulching had no obvious effect on nitrogen allocation pattern in leaves and stems of rice over the season, significantly decreased nitrogen allocation pattern in spikes. (3) Except mid-tillering, hyacinth mulching resulted in the significant decrease in N use efficiency for biomass (NUEp) over the season and in N use efficiency for grain yield (NUEg) at grain maturity, but no effect was observed on nitrogen harvest index (NHI). (4) Nitrogen concentration and accumulation at most growth stages of rice increased with increasing N supply (p < 0.05 or 0.01), but NUEp and NUEg showed the opposite trends. 1(5) nteractions between hyacinth mulching x N were not observed for N uptake and utilization. Hyacinth mulching increased N concentration and N uptake, decreased NUEp and NUEg at most growth stages of rice.

[Purification effects of large-area planting water hyacinth on water environment of Zhushan Bay, Lake Taihu].

Using water hyacinth and other fast-growing and high biomass of floating plants to purify polluted water has become an efficient and effective ecological restoration method at present. Effects of nutrients adsorption and water purification of planting water hyacinth on water quality in Zhushan Bay were studied. The results indicated that no anoxia was observed in water hyacinth planting areas because of wave disturbance and strong water exchange. Concentrations of TN and TP in water hyacinth planting areas were higher than that in the outside of stocking area (the content ranged 3.03-7.45 mg/L and 0.15-0.38 mg/L, respectively), and the content changes ranged 3.37-8.02 mg/L and 0.15-0.36 mg/L,respectively. The higher concentration of TN and TP in water indicated the water body was heavily polluted. Water hyacinth roots have a strong ability to adsorb suspended solids and algae cells, the concentration of Chl-a in stocking areas was higher than that in stocking fringe and outside, the maximum Chlorophyll in the stocking region in August was 177.01 mg/m3, and at the same time the concentrations in planting fringe and outside were 101.53 mg/m3 and 76.96 mg/m, respectively. Higher Chl-a content on water hyacinth roots indicated that water hyacinth had strong blocking effects on algae cells, and demonstrated it had a great purification effects on eutrophicated water, and it also provides a basis for the larger polluted water bodies purification in using water hyacinth.

Nuclear activity of sperm cells during Hyacinthus orientalis L. in vitro pollen tube growth.

In this study, the transcriptional state and distribution of RNA polymerase II, pre-mRNA splicing machinery elements, and rRNA transcripts were investigated in the sperm cells of Hyacinthus orientalis L. during in vitro pollen tube growth. During the second pollen mitosis, no nascent transcripts were observed in the area of the dividing generative cell, whereas the splicing factors were present and their pools were divided between newly formed sperm cells. Just after their origin, the sperm cells were shown to synthesize new RNA, although at a markedly lower level than the vegetative nucleus. The occurrence of RNA synthesis was accompanied by the presence of RNA polymerase II and a rich pool of splicing machinery elements. Differences in the spatial pattern of pre-mRNA splicing factors localization reflect different levels of RNA synthesis in the vegetative nucleus and sperm nuclei. In the vegetative nucleus, they were localized homogenously, whereas in the sperm nuclei a mainly speckled pattern of small nuclear RNA with a trimethylguanosine cap (TMG snRNA) and SC35 protein distribution was observed. As pollen tube growth proceeded, inhibition of RNA synthesis in the sperm nuclei was observed, which was accompanied by a gradual elimination of the splicing factors. In addition, analysis of rRNA localization indicated that the sperm nuclei are likely to synthesize some pool of rRNA at the later steps of pollen tube. It is proposed that the described changes in the nuclear activity of H. orientalis sperm cells reflect their maturation process during pollen tube growth, and that mature sperm cells do not carry into the zygote the nascent transcripts or the splicing machinery elements.

[Effects of large-area planting water hyacinth on macro-benthos community structure and biomass].

The effects on macro-benthos and benthos environment of planting 200 hm2 water hyacinth (E. crassipens) in Zhushan Bay, Lake Taihu, were studied during 8-10 months consecutive surveys. Results indicated that average densities of mollusca (the main species were Bellamya aeruginosa) in far-planting, near-planting and planting area were 276.67, 371.11 and 440.00 ind/m2, respectively, and biomass were 373.15, 486.57 and 672.54 g/m2, respectively, showed that average density and biomass of planting area's were higher than those of others. However, the average density and biomass of Oligochaeta (the main species was Limodrilus hoffmeisteri) and Chironomidae in planting area were lower than that of outside planting area. The density and biomass of three dominant species of benthic animal increased quickly during 8-9 months, decreased quickly in October inside and outside water hyacinth planting area. The reason of this phenomenon could be possible that lots of cyanobacteria cells died and consumed dissolve oxygen in proceed decomposing. Algae cells released lots of phosphorus and nitrogen simultaneously, so macro-benthos died in this environment. The indexes of Shannon-Weaver and Simpson indicated that water environment was in moderate polluted state. On the basis of the survey results, the large-area and high-density planting water hyacinth haven't demonstrated a great impact on macrobenthos and benthos environment in short planting time (about 6 months planting time).

Transcriptional activity and distribution of splicing machinery elements during Hyacinthus orientalis pollen tube growth.

The localization of newly formed transcripts and molecules participating in pre-mRNA splicing, i.e., small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs) and SC35 protein, in growing pollen tubes of Hyacinthus orientalis L. were analyzed in vitro and in vivo. The results indicated that the restart of RNA synthesis occurred first in the vegetative and then in the generative nucleus of both in vitro and in vivo growing pollen tubes. Changes in RNA synthesis were accompanied by the redistribution of splicing machinery elements in both vegetative and generative nuclei of the growing pollen tube. At stages of pollen tube growth when the vegetative and generative nuclei were transcriptionally active, clear differences in the distribution pattern of the splicing system components were observed in both pollen nuclei. While both small nuclear RNA with a trimethylguanosine cap on the 5' end and SC35 protein were diffusely distributed in the nucleoplasm in the vegetative nucleus, the studied antigens were only present in the areas between condensed chromatin in the generative nucleus. When the transcriptional activity of both pollen nuclei could no longer be observed at later stages of pollen tube growth, snRNPs and SC35 protein were still present in the vegetative nuclei but not in the generative nuclei. We, therefore, investigated potential differences in the spatial organization of splicing system elements during pollen tube growth. They clearly reflect differences in gene expression patterns in the vegetative and the generative cells, which may be determined by the different biological roles of angiosperm male gametophyte cells.

The effect of water hyacinths for wastewater treatment under Cuban climatic conditions.

The purification capacity of systems using floating aquatic plants depend on the climatic conditions under which they are used. This study from Cuban conditions evaluate the effects of the organic loading rate, hydraulic loading rate and water depth on the purification capacity of water hyacinths, as well as the effect of some climatic variables on the kinetics of the treatment processes. The experimental system consisted of two consecutive tanks simulating a system of ponds in series. The water depths used were 0.5 m and 1.12 m. In the shallower system with shorter retention times and greater superficial organic loading higher removal efficiencies are obtained. With the data obtained, empirical relations were sought. From these correlations it is possible to determine the values for some parameters used in the design of aquatic treatment systems with water hyacinths. The results revealed a relationship between the purification capacity of the water hyacinth and its velocity of growth. The specific velocity of growth varied with the months of the year and was associated with the temperature and the solar radiation. A multiple correlation equation describing these relations was obtained.

Characterization of HoMADS 1 and its induction by plant hormones during in vitro ovule development in Hyacinthus orientalis L.

To understand the molecular mechanism of ovule development, a MADS box gene, HoMADS 1 , has been isolated from the ovule tissues of Hyacinthus . Sequence comparison showed that HoMADS 1 is highly homologous to both class C and D genes. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis suggests that HoMADS 1 is most likely a class D MADS box gene. RNA hybridization revealed that HoMADS 1 was exclusively expressed in the ovules. Over-expressing HoMADS 1 in transgenic Arabidopsis plants produced ectopic carpelloid structures, including ovules, indicating that HoMADS 1 is involved in the determination of carpel and ovule identities. Interestingly, during in vitro flowering, no HoMADS 1 mRNA was detected in the floral tissues at high level hormones in the media. However, HoMADS 1 mRNA accumulated in the floral tissues when the regenerated flowers were transferred to the media containing low level hormones which could induce in vitro ovule formation. Our data suggest that the induction of HoMADS 1 by plant hormones may play important roles during ovule initiation and development in the regenerated flower. Whether HoMADS 1 expression is also regulated by cytokinin and auxin during ovule development in planta remains to be investigated.