scholarly journals The Singular Molecular Conformation of Humic Acids in Solution Influences Their Ability to Enhance Root Hydraulic Conductivity and Plant Growth

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
Maite Olaetxea ◽  
Veronica Mora ◽  
Roberto Baigorri ◽  
Angel M. Zamarreño ◽  
Jose M. García-Mina

Some studies have reported that the capacity of humic substances to improve plant growth is dependent on their ability to increase root hydraulic conductivity. It was proposed that this effect is directly related to the structural conformation in solution of these substances. To study this hypothesis, the effects on root hydraulic conductivity and growth of cucumber plants of a sedimentary humic acid and two polymers—polyacrylic acid and polyethylene glycol—presenting a molecular conformation in water solution different from that of the humic acid have been studied. The results show that whereas the humic acid caused an increase in root hydraulic conductivity and plant growth, both the polyacrylic acid and the polyethylene glycol did not modify plant growth and caused a decrease in root hydraulic conductivity. These results can be explained by the different molecular conformation in water solution of the three molecular systems. The relationships between these biological effects and the molecular conformation of the three molecular systems in water solution are discussed.

2020 ◽  
pp. 105678952097441
Author(s):  
Hao Wang ◽  
Kexin Zhang ◽  
Lin Gan ◽  
Jiaqin Liu ◽  
Guoxiong Mei

The objectives of the study are to explore fundamental mechanism of expansive soil-biochar-root-water-bacteria interaction, and investigate crack development and hydraulic properties of biochar amended soils aiming at green infrastructures. The physical, chemical and biological effects of biochar on expansive soil have been comprehensively explored. Crack development is investigated quantificationally, and mechanism of soil damage evolution is briefly discussed base on micro-chemical analyses. During outdoor vegetation period, photosynthesis light response curves were measured to evaluate plant growth. After period of vegetation, hydraulic properties of root-soil composites and unplanted soils were compared. The study reveals that soil crack intensity factor decreases by 33.5%, 48.5% and 47.3% due to 5%, 10% and 15% biochar introduction respectively after 5 wetting-drying cycles. 15% biochar amendment helps to restrain both initiation and propagation of soil cracks. Biochar amendment of up to 5% contributes well to residual water content and plant growth (i.e., light saturation point and light compensation point). Excessive biochar addition would restrain roots elongation, and increase saturated water content. Spatial root distribution is changed due to biochar addition, which further influences hydraulic properties and crack development. Hydraulic conductivity and soil dry density share negative correlations, 5% biochar enhances hydraulic conductivity remarkably at relatively loose condition. Biochar amendment also contributes to preventing nitrogen loss and forming more complex bacterial community in soils. The study adds to our knowledge of physio-chemical interactions of biochar with expansive clay, vegetation, water and microorganism.


2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikhail V. Ryzhkov ◽  
Andrei N. Enyashin ◽  
Bernard Delley

Abstract Geometry optimization and the electronic structure calculations of Pu Z+ complexes (Z = 3–6) in water solution have been performed, within the framework of the DMol3 and Relativistic Discrete-Variational (RDV) methods. For the simulation of Pu Z+ molecular environment in aqueous solution we used 22 and 32 water molecules randomly distributed around cation. To model the effect of bulk solvent environment we used COSMO (Conductor-like Screening Model) potential for water (ε = 78.54). The obtained results showed that this approach allows the modeling of water dissociation and the formation of hydrolysis products. Our previously suggested scheme for the calculation of interaction energies between selected fragments of multi-molecular systems provides the quantitative estimation of the interaction strengths between plutonium in various oxidation states and each ligand in the first and second coordination shells in water solution.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sare Asli ◽  
Nedal Massalha ◽  
Muhamad Hugerat

Abstract AimsTo determine the effects of treated wastewater (TWW) and dialyzed TWW (DTWW) through dialysis tube with a cut-off at 6000-8000 Da, on the water transport characteristics of maize seedlings (Zea mays L). MethodsLaboratory experiments were conducted to determine the effect of TWW on the hydraulic conductivity of excised roots. Moreover, the effect on transpiration, plant growth, root cell permeability and on the plant fresh and dry weight was determined. ResultsPressurized water flow through the excised primary roots was reduced by 25%-52%, within 90 min of exposure to TWW or DTWW. In hydroponics, DTWW affected root elongation severely by 58 %, while cell-wall pore sizes of same roots were little reduced (by 6%). Additionally, the exposure to TWW or DTWW caused inhibition of both leaf growth rate by (26%-70%) and transpiration by (14%-64%). While in soil growth, the plant fresh and dry weight was also significantly affected but not with secondary DTWW. Conclusions These impacts appeared simultaneously to involve phytotoxic and physical clogging impacts. First, the inhibition in hydraulic conductivity through live roots (phytotoxic and physical effects) after exposure to secondary DTWW was by 22%, while through killed roots accepted after hot alcohol disruption of cell membranes (physical effects only); was only by 14%. Second, although DTWW affected root elongation severely by 58%, cell-wall pore sizes of same roots were little reduced by 6%. We conclude that large molecules, such as polypeptides, remained after the dialysis process, may have produced hormone-like activity that affected root water permeability.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hemlata Bagla ◽  
Asma Khan

<p>Earth’s regolith consists of a vital component that is lacking on other planets ­­– the pedosphere or soil body – that is rich in organic matter, soil fauna, minerals, water, gases, that together support life and is thus essential for plant growth. In stark contrast to our blue planet, Martian regolith is devoid of organic matter and contains crushed volcanic rocks, with high mineral content and toxic chemicals like perchlorates. Nevertheless, Martian and Lunar regolith simulants formulated by NASA, have been experimented for crop growth by addition of organic matter suitable to bind xenobiotics and provide ample nutrients, as an essential step towards expanding our horizon in the extensive field of soil sciences.</p><p>Soil is an ecosystem as a whole and acts as a modifier of planet Earth’s atmosphere. The organic matter present in it originates mainly from plant metabolites with the onset of senescence and humification. Humic substances thus formed in the pedosphere exhibit exceptional characteristics for soil conditioning. Besides providing nutrients and aeration to the soil, they interact and bind with toxic heavy metals, radionuclides, pesticides, industrial dyes, and other xenobiotics that may be present as pollutants in the ecosystem, thus acting as natural sieves. As top soils have maximum organic matter, essential for plant growth, phenomenon like soil erosion leave the soils devoid of humic substances. Another major reason for soil degradation is excessive salinity, leading to osmotic and ionic stress in plants, eventually reducing their growth. Addition of humic acid in soils provides protection against high saline stress and minimizes yield losses. In India, one of the leading agrarian countries, it is a common practice to enrich soils with manure, which is an inexpensive form of humus-boost for the crops. Such practices aid the cyclic flow of organic matter in the environment, against the background of widespread soil degradation.</p><p>Another global form of soil degradation is radioactive contamination of soils which occurs mainly due to nuclear accidents and improper practices of radioactive waste disposal. In order to explore such interactions with humic acid following Green technique, batch biosorption studies were performed over a range of parameters, with radionuclides Cs and Sr that are found in low level radioactive wastes. Biosorption percentages of 91±2% and 84±1% were obtained for Cs and Sr respectively. The technique is chemical-free and emphasizes the ‘nature for nature’ outlook of solving environmental problems. Humic acid and its various forms thus act as traps for radionuclides and work as excellent restorative soil stimulants that supplement depleted soils, boost plant growth, and play a vital role in sustaining life on Earth.</p>


2018 ◽  
Vol 109 (4) ◽  
pp. 479-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Sattari Nasab ◽  
M. Pahlavan Yali ◽  
M. Bozorg-Amirkalaee

AbstractThe cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae L. (Hem: Aphididae), is an important pest of canola that can considerably limit profitable crop production either through direct feeding or via transmission of plant pathogenic viruses. One of the most effective approaches of pest control is the use of biostimulants. In this study, the effects of humic acid, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), and integrated application of both compounds were investigated on life table parameters of B. brassicae, and the tolerance of canola to this pest. B. brassicae reared on plants treated with these compounds had the lower longevity, fecundity, and reproductive period compared with control treatment. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ) were lowest on PGPR treatment (0.181 ± 0.004 day−1 and 1.198 ± 0.004 day−1, respectively) and highest on control (0.202 ± 0.005 day−1 and 1.224 ± 0.006 day−1, respectively). The net reproductive rate (R0) under treatments of humic acid, PGPR and humic acid + PGPR was lower than control. There was no significant difference in generation time (T) of B. brassicae among the tested treatments. In the tolerance test, plants treated with PGPR alone or in integrated with humic acid had the highest tolerance against B. brassicae. The highest values of total phenol, flavonoids, and glucosinolates were observed in treatments of PGPR and humic acid + PGPR. Basing on the antibiosis and tolerance analyses in this study, we concluded that canola plants treated with PGPR are more resistant to B. brassicae. These findings could be useful for integrated pest management of B. brassicae in canola fields.


1998 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 272-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
D J Morré

A number of solvents including ethyl, amyl, butyl, octyl and benzyl alcohols, ethylene glycol, ethyl acetate, acetone, diethyl ether, propylene oxide, r-dioxane, benzene, xylene, chloroform and carbon tetrachloride stimulate the growth of plants or plant parts at low concentrations and inhibit at high concentrations. These same solvents, at low dilutions, stimulate the activity of a growth-related protein disulfide-thiol interchange protein (TIP) with NADH: protein disulfide reductase (NADH oxidase) (NOX) activity with plasma membrane vesicles isolated from elongating regions cut from dark grown seedlings of soybeans. Based on these and other findings, we suggest the TIP/NOX protein to be the molecular target of the biological effects of low levels of exposure (hormesis) involved in the stimulation of plant growth.


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