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Irrigation of cultivated plants can be a source of toxic lithium to plants. The data on the effect of lithium uptake on plants are scant, that is why a research was undertaken with the aim to determine maize ability to bioaccumulate lithium. The research was carried out under hydroponic conditions. The experimental design comprised 10 concentrations in solution differing with lithium concentrations in the aqueous solution (ranging from 0.0 to 256.0 mg Li ∙ dm-3 of the nutrient solution). The parameters based on which lithium bioretention by maize was determined were: the yield, lithium concentration in various plant parts, uptake and utilization of this element, tolerance index (TI) and translocation factor (TF), metal concentrations in the above-ground parts index (CI) and bioaccumulation factor (BAF). Depression in yielding of maize occurred only at the highest concentrations of lithium. Lithium concentration was the highest in the roots, lower in the stems and leaves, and the lowest in the inflorescences. The values of tolerance index and EC50 indicated that roots were the most resistant organs to lithium toxicity. The values of translocation factor were indicative of intensive export of lithium from the roots mostly to the stems. The higher uptake of lithium by the above-ground parts than by the roots, which primarily results from the higher yield of these parts of the plants, supports the idea of using maize for lithium phytoremediation.

Swailing as a part of agricultural practice is an illegal habit in many European countries. The indirect effect of swailing is the emission of volatiles (SGV), hence the aim of the study was to identify their impact to seeds of different species occurring or grown Europe. It was carried out on seeds of 29 species of 10 botanical families within the angiosperms. The response to SGV was more or less differentiated within a family, and even within the species, e.g. in the case of tomato. The stimulation of germination and/or increased seedling vigour was established in celery, green- and red-leafed basil, white and red cabbage, white clover and wild thyme. The same effect was noticed for the seeds of stratified broadleaf plantain and the positively photoblastic seeds of German chamomile germinated in darkness. The inhibition of seed germination and/ or reduced seedling vigour was demonstrated in case of caraway, dill and forget-me-not. Similar results were obtained in the experiments carried out in vitro and in the soil, hence it can be assumed that the indirect impact of SGV on plant habitat composition is likely. The interaction of SGV compounds with seed testa and seed phytohormones is discussed.

To verify the hypothesis that cell redox status regulates the process of microspore embryogenesis (ME), reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and the activity of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants were analyzed in eight doubled haploid lines of triticale with significant differences in embryogenic potential. The analyses were performed in anthers excised from freshly cut tillers (control) and from low temperature (LT) pre-treated tillers (3 weeks at 4 °C) in which ME has been initiated. Significant associations between ME effectiveness and the variables studied were found. In control cultures, high superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity appeared crucial for microspore viability. On the other hand, positive though non-linear correlation between ME effectiveness and HO generation, and negative correlation with catalase (CAT) activity suggest that some threshold level of HO is important for successful ME initiation. LT tillers pre-treatment significantly increased HO accumulation, which had a negative effect on ME effectiveness. However, even high level of HO did not endanger cell viability as long as the cells exhibited high activity of ROS-decomposing enzymes (SOD, CAT and POX). The ability to sustain antioxidative enzyme activity under cold stress in the dark was another important requirement for high effectiveness of ME, allowing for the generation of the signal initiating microspore reprogramming and simultaneously protecting the cells from the toxic effects of ROS production. The role of antioxidative enzymes cannot be replaced even by high activity of non-enzymatic antioxidants. In conclusion, genetically controlled but environmentally modified cell tolerance to oxidative stress seems to play an important role in triticale ME. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses about benefits of using S-ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid and citric acid and use of cabbage to reduce stress triggered by phytoextraction.

The article discusses about the effect of cadmium on the photosynthetic apparatus of cabbage.