scholarly journals Ecotypes of Aquatic Plant Vallisneria americana Tolerate Different Salinity Concentrations

Diversity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 65
Author(s):  
Mohsen Tootoonchi ◽  
Lyn A Gettys ◽  
Kyle L Thayer ◽  
Ian J Markovich ◽  
Joseph W Sigmon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aquatic Ecosystems ◽  
Aquatic Plant ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Visual Quality ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Vallisneria Americana ◽  
Abiotic Conditions ◽  
Saline Solutions ◽  
Normal Salinity

Increased salinity caused by saltwater intrusion or runoff from de-icing salts can severely affect freshwater vegetation and deteriorate aquatic ecosystems. These habitats can be restored with freshwater ecotypes (locally adapted populations) that tolerate above-normal salinity. Vallisneria americana is a prominent species in many freshwater ecosystems that responds differently to abiotic conditions such as substrate composition and fertility, so, in this study, we evaluated the effects of salt stress on 24 ecotypes of V. americana. Instant Ocean aquarium salt was used to create saline solutions (0.2 to 20.0 parts per thousand (ppt)), then plants were abruptly exposed to these solutions and maintained in these concentrations for five weeks before being visually assessed for quality and destructively harvested. Analysis of variance and nonlinear regression were used to calculate LC50 values—the lethal concentration of salt that reduced plant biomass and quality by 50% compared to control treatment. Growth rate and visual quality varied significantly among ecotypes, and ecotypes that were most and least sensitive to salt had 50% biomass reductions at 0.47 and 9.10 ppt, respectively. All ecotypes survived 10.0 ppt salinity concentration but none survived at 20.0 ppt, which suggests that the maximum salinity concentration tolerated by these ecotypes is between 15.0 and 20.0 ppt.

scholarly journals Ecotypes of Aquatic Plant Vallisneria americana Tolerate Different Salinity Concentrations

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohsen Tootoonchi ◽  
Lyn Gettys ◽  
Kyle Thayer ◽  
Ian Markovich ◽  
Joseph Sigmon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aquatic Ecosystems ◽  
Aquatic Plant ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Visual Quality ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Vallisneria Americana ◽  
Abiotic Conditions ◽  
Saline Solutions ◽  
Normal Salinity

Increased salinity caused by saltwater intrusion or runoff from de-icing salts can severely affect freshwater vegetation and deteriorate aquatic ecosystems. These habitats can be restored with freshwater ecotypes (locally adapted populations) that tolerate above-normal salinity. Vallisneria americana is a prominent species in many freshwater ecosystems that responds differently to abiotic conditions such as substrate composition and fertility, so in this study we evaluated the effects of salt stress on 24 ecotypes of V. americana. Instant Ocean aquarium salt was used to create saline solutions [0.2 to 20.0 parts per thousand (ppt)], then plants were abruptly exposed to these solutions and maintained in these concentrations for 5 weeks before being visually assessed for quality and destructively harvested. Analysis of variance and non-linear regression were used to calculate LC50 values – the lethal concentration of salt that reduced plant biomass and quality by 50% compared to control treatment. Growth rate and visual quality varied significantly among ecotypes, and ecotypes that were most and least sensitive to salt had 50% biomass reductions at 0.47 and 9.10 ppt, respectively. All ecotypes survived 10.0 ppt salinity concentration but none survived at 20.0 ppt, which suggests the maximum salinity concentration tolerated by these ecotypes is between 15.0 and 20.0 ppt.

Precise determination of aquatic plant wet mass using a salad spinner

2016 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias Oliver Bickel ◽  
Christine Perrett
Keyword(s):  
Aquatic Plant ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Precise Determination ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Mass Measurements ◽  
Accuracy And Precision ◽  
Reliable Assessment ◽  
Macrophyte Species

The reliable assessment of macrophyte biomass is fundamental for ecological research and management of freshwater ecosystems. While dry mass is routinely used to determine aquatic plant biomass, wet (fresh) mass can be more practical. We tested the accuracy and precision of wet mass measurements by using a salad spinner to remove surface water from four macrophyte species differing in growth form and architectural complexity. The salad spinner aided in making precise and accurate wet mass with less than 3% error. There was also little difference between operators, with a user bias estimated to be below 5%. To achieve this level of precision, only 10–20 turns of the salad spinner are needed. Therefore, wet mass of a sample can be determined in less than 1 min. We demonstrated that a salad spinner is a rapid and economical technique to enable precise and accurate macrophyte wet mass measurements and is particularly suitable for experimental work. The method will also be useful for fieldwork in situations when sample sizes are not overly large.

scholarly journals Effects of two wood-based biochars on the fate of added fertilizer nitrogen—a 15N tracing study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subin Kalu ◽  
Gboyega Nathaniel Oyekoya ◽  
Per Ambus ◽  
Priit Tammeorg ◽  
Asko Simojoki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Uptake ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Organic N ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Soil N ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Total N ◽  
Application Rates

AbstractA 15N tracing pot experiment was conducted using two types of wood-based biochars: a regular biochar and a Kon-Tiki-produced nutrient-enriched biochar, at two application rates (1% and 5% (w/w)), in addition to a fertilizer only and a control treatment. Ryegrass was sown in pots, all of which except controls received 15N-labelled fertilizer as either 15NH4NO3 or NH415NO3. We quantified the effect of biochar application on soil N2O emissions, as well as the fate of fertilizer-derived ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3−) in terms of their leaching from the soil, uptake into plant biomass, and recovery in the soil. We found that application of biochars reduced soil mineral N leaching and N2O emissions. Similarly, the higher biochar application rate of 5% significantly increased aboveground ryegrass biomass yield. However, no differences in N2O emissions and ryegrass biomass yields were observed between regular and nutrient-enriched biochar treatments, although mineral N leaching tended to be lower in the nutrient-enriched biochar treatment than in the regular biochar treatment. The 15N analysis revealed that biochar application increased the plant uptake of added nitrate, but reduced the plant uptake of added ammonium compared to the fertilizer only treatment. Thus, the uptake of total N derived from added NH4NO3 fertilizer was not affected by the biochar addition, and cannot explain the increase in plant biomass in biochar treatments. Instead, the increased plant biomass at the higher biochar application rate was attributed to the enhanced uptake of N derived from soil. This suggests that the interactions between biochar and native soil organic N may be important determinants of the availability of soil N to plant growth.

No evidence for interspecific interactions between plants in the first stage of succession on coastal dunes in subarctic Quebec, Canada

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 902-915 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilles Houle
Keyword(s):  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Interspecific Interactions ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Salt Spray ◽  
Coastal Dunes ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Coastal Dune ◽  
Dune System ◽  
Abiotic Conditions ◽  
Herbaceous Perennials

Coastal dunes are very dynamic systems, particularly where the coast is rising as a result of isostatic rebound. In those environments, succession proceeds from plants highly tolerant to sand accumulation, salt spray, and low nutrient availability to less disturbance-tolerant and stress-tolerant, more nutrient-demanding, and supposedly more competitive species. In the subarctic, the regional climate exacerbates the stresses imposed by local abiotic conditions on the dunes. I hypothesized that facilitation would be particularly significant on the foredune of subarctic coastal dune systems because of intense stresses (local and regional) and frequent disturbance in the form of sand deposition. Belowground and aboveground plant biomass was sampled at three different periods during the 1990 growing season along transects perpendicular to the shoreline on a coastal dune system in subarctic Quebec (Canada). The three herbaceous perennials found on the foredune (Honckenya peploides, Elymus mollis, and Lathyrus japonicus) were segregated in time during the growing season and in space along the topographical gradient. The biomass of Honckenya, the first species encountered as one progresses from the upper part of the beach towards the foredune ridge, was not correlated to substrate physicochemistry. However, the biomass of Elymus and that of Lathyrus, the next two species to appear along the flank of the foredune, were related to pH, Mg, Na, and Cl (negatively), and to P and Ca (positively). These results suggest variable linkages between substrate physicochemistry and plant species along the foredune, possibly in relation to species-specific tolerance for abiotic conditions and requirements for substrate resources or to microscale influence of the plants themselves on substrate physicochemistry. Removal experiments carried out over 2 years revealed only one significant unidirectional interaction between these three species along the topographical gradient, and little plant control over abiotic variables (e.g., soil temperature, wind velocity, and photosynthetically active radiation). Early primary succession on subarctic coastal dunes (and elsewhere) appears to be under the control of strong limiting abiotic conditions. As plants slowly gain more control over the physical environment, interspecific interactions (positive and negative) may become more significant. Key words: Elymus mollis, facilitation, Honckenya peploides, inhibition, Lathyrus japonicus, removal experiment, succession, tolerance.

Sulfur-enriched biochar as a potential soil amendment and fertiliser

Soil Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongjie Zhang ◽  
R. Paul Voroney ◽  
G. W. Price ◽  
Andrew J. White
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Sulfide ◽  
Plant Uptake ◽  
Soil Amendment ◽  
Growth Response ◽  
Zea Mays L ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Corn Plant ◽  
Greenhouse Study ◽  
Glycine Max L

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a highly toxic and corrosive contaminant gas co-generated during anaerobic digestion. Studies have shown that biochars have the potential to adsorb H2S and to promote its oxidisation. To date, no studies have investigated the bioavailabilty to plants of the sulfur (S) contained in biochar when used as an S fertiliser. Biochar was packed into the biogas emissions stream to adsorb the H2S being generated. The resulting sulfur-enriched biochar (SulfaChar) and synthetic S fertiliser (control treatment) were amended to potting soils and the growth response of corn (Zea mays L.) and soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and nutrient uptake were measured after a 90-day greenhouse study. SulfaChar contained 36.5% S (S element and SO42–), confirming it adsorbed significant amounts of H2S. Compared with the control treatment, SulfaChar amendment significantly increased corn plant biomass, ranging from 31% to 49% but only a slight increase in soybean biomass (4 to 14%). SulfaChar also increased corn plant uptake of S and other macro- (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) and micro-nutrients (Zn, Mn and B). Our results show that SulfaChar was a source of plant available S, suggesting that SulfaChar is either a supplier of these nutrients or that it promoted their uptake.

scholarly journals Penicillium simplicissimum NL-Z1 Induced an Imposed Effect to Promote the Leguminous Plant Growth

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiayao Zhuang ◽  
Chao Liu ◽  
Xiaoxue Wang ◽  
Tongxin Xu ◽  
Hao Yang
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Rock Slope ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Leguminous Plant ◽  
Penicillium Simplicissimum ◽  
Nodule Biomass ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Phosphate Solubilizing ◽  
A Minor

It is found effective for phytoremediation of the guest soil spraying method by adding microbes to promote the growth of arbor leguminous plant on a high and steep rock slope. However, its underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, some experiments were conducted to explore the multifunctions of Penicillium simplicissimum NL-Z1 on rock weathering, nodule growth, and beneficial microbial regulation. The results show that P. simplicissimum NL-Z1 significantly increased the release of phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium from the rock by 226, 29, 24, and 95%, respectively, compared with that of the control. A significant increase of 153% in Indigofera pseudotinctoria Matsum nodule biomass, accompanied by an increase of 37% in the leguminous plant biomass was observed in the P. simplicissimum NL-Z1 treatment than in the control treatment. Interestingly, even though P. simplicissimum NL-Z1 itself became a minor microbial community in the soil, it induced a significant increase in Mortierella, which, as a beneficial microbe, can promote phosphate-solubilizing and plant growth. The results suggest that P. simplicissimum NL-Z1 could induce an imposed effect to promote leguminous plant growth, which may be conducive to the development of the phytoremediation technique for high and steep rock slope. The study provides a novel thought of using the indirect effect of microbes, i.e., promoting other beneficial microbes, to improve soil environment.

Metabarcoding of modern sedimentary DNA from the Tibetan Plateau and Siberia as a training dataset for vegetation reconstructions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weihan Jia ◽  
Kathleen Stoof-Leichsenring ◽  
Sisi Liu ◽  
Kai Li ◽  
Sichao Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Lake Sediments ◽  
Plant Diversity ◽  
Lake Water ◽  
Aquatic Plant ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
The Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Plant Dna ◽  
Continental Scale ◽  
Dna Metabarcoding

<p>Lake sedimentary DNA (<em>sed</em>DNA) is an established tool to trace past changes in vegetation composition and plant diversity. However, little is known about the relationships between sedimentary plant DNA and modern vegetational and environmental conditions. In this study, we investigate i) the relationships between the preservation of sedimentary plant DNA and environmental variables, ii) the modern analogue of ancient plant DNA assemblages archived in lake sediments, and iii) the usability of sedimentary plant DNA for characterization of terrestrial and aquatic plant composition and diversity based on a large dataset of PCR-amplified plant DNA data retrieved from 259 lake surface sediments from the Tibetan Plateau and Siberia. Our results indicate the following: i) Lake-water electrical conductivity and pH are the most important variables for the preservation of plant DNA in lake sediments. We expect the best preservation conditions for sedimentary plant DNA in small deep lakes characterized by high water conductivities (≥100 μS cm<sup>-1</sup>) and neutral to slightly alkaline pH conditions (7–9). ii) Plant DNA metabarcoding is promising for palaeovegetation reconstruction in high mountain regions, where shifts in vegetation are solely captured by the <em>sed</em>DNA-based analogue matching and fossil pollen generally has poor modern analogues. However, the biases in the representation of some taxa could lead to poor analogue conditions. iii) Plant DNA metabarcoding is a reliable proxy to reflect modern vegetation types and climate characteristics at a sub-continental scale. However, the resolution of the <em>trn</em>L P6 loop marker, the incompleteness of the reference library, and the extent of <em>sed</em>DNA preservation are still the main limitations of this method. iv) Plant DNA metabarcoding is a suitable proxy to recover modern aquatic plant diversity, which is mostly affected by July temperature and lake-water conductivity. Ongoing warming might decrease macrophyte richness in the Tibetan Plateau and Siberia, and ultimately threaten the health of these important freshwater ecosystems. To conclude, sedimentary plant DNA presents a high correlation with modern vegetation and may therefore be an important proxy for reconstruction of past vegetation.</p>

scholarly journals Mitigation of Nickel Toxicity and Growth Promotion in Sesame through the Application of a Bacterial Endophyte and Zeolite in Nickel Contaminated Soil

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (23) ◽  
pp. 8859 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Naveed ◽  
Syeda Sosan Bukhari ◽  
Adnan Mustafa ◽  
Allah Ditta ◽  
Saud Alamri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Contaminated Soil ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Growth Promotion ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Combined Application ◽  
Bioavailable Fraction

Nickel (Ni) bioavailable fraction in the soil is of utmost importance because of its involvement in plant growth and environmental feedbacks. High concentrations of Ni in the soil environment, especially in the root zone, may retard plant growth that ultimately results in reduced plant biomass and yield. However, endophytic microorganisms have great potential to reduce the toxicity of Ni, especially when applied together with zeolite. The present research work was conducted to evaluate the potential effects of an endophytic bacterium Caulobacter sp. MN13 in combination with zeolite on the physiology, growth, quality, and yield of sesame plant under normal and Ni stressed soil conditions through possible reduction of Ni uptake. Surface sterilized sesame seeds were sown in pots filled with artificially Ni contaminated soil amended with zeolite. Results revealed that plant agronomic attributes such as shoot root dry weight, total number of pods, and 1000-grains weight were increased by 41, 45, 54, and 65%, respectively, over control treatment, with combined application of bacteria and zeolite in Ni contaminated soil. In comparison to control, the gaseous exchange parameters (CO2 assimilation rate, transpiration rate, stomatal- sub-stomatal conductance, chlorophyll content, and vapor pressure) were significantly enhanced by co-application of bacteria and zeolite ranging from 20 to 49% under Ni stress. Moreover, the combined utilization of bacteria and zeolite considerably improved water relations of sesame plant, in terms of relative water content (RWC) and relative membrane permeability (RMP) along with improvement in biochemical components (protein, ash, crude fiber, fat), and micronutrients in normal as well as in Ni contaminated soil. Moreover, the same treatment modulated the Ni-stress in plants through improvement in antioxidant enzymes (AEs) activities along with improved Ni concentration in the soil and different plant tissues. Correlation and principal component analysis (PCA) further revealed that combined application of metal-tolerant bacterium Caulobacter sp. MN13 and zeolite is the most influential strategy in alleviating Ni-induced stress and subsequent improvement in growth, yield, and physio-biochemical attributes of sesame plant.

Cladocera (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) from the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 56 ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Maiara Tábatha da Silva Brito ◽  
Leidiane Pereira Diniz ◽  
Ully M. Pozzobom ◽  
Victor Lemes Landeiro ◽  
Francisco Diogo R. Sousa
Keyword(s):  
Aquatic Ecosystems ◽  
Littoral Zone ◽  
New Records ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
The State ◽  
Sampling Effort ◽  
Mato Grosso ◽  
Occurrence Data ◽  
Cladoceran Species ◽  
Hydrographic Regions

Studies on Cladocera biodiversity in Brazilian freshwater ecosystems are intensifying. However, the fauna of some hydrographic regions is still poorly known. We investigated the richness and species composition of cladocerans in lakes of the Pantanal from the state of Mato Grosso (Paraguay hydrographic region), Brazil. In addition, we cataloged the known cladoceran species in each hydrographic region of the state. Occurrence data were obtained from the literature and samples collected from 50 lakes in the northern Pantanal. We recorded 120 cladoceran species from eight families in the state of Mato Grosso. The occurrence of these species was recorded in the Amazon and Paraguay hydrographic regions. We are unaware of studies on cladocerans conducted in the Tocantins-Araguaia hydrographic region. We reported 17 new records in the Pantanal samples (Paraguay hydrographic region). Overall, richness estimates reveal that 72.6% of the state's cladoceran fauna is already known, while for the Paraguay hydrographic region this estimate is 72.2%. In general, the cladocerans from the Amazon and Paraguay regions did not differ. Our findings allow us to infer the need for further studies in the different hydrographic regions found in Mato Grosso in order to improve the knowledge of cladoceran biodiversity. We suggest a greater sampling effort, particularly in the littoral zone of aquatic ecosystems in this state, which can harbor great biodiversity.

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