The Possibility of Using Endophytic Micromycetes for Increasing Plant Metal Resistance

The aim of this research was to study the effect of inoculation with the Cylindrocarpon magnusianum endotrophic micromycete on the physiological and biochemical parameters of tomato test plants under the action of heavy metal salts. The plants were inoculated with the fungus culture (control population) and populations of this fungus preliminarily adapted to the action of the stress factor. Then, inoculated plants were grown under control conditions and on substrates with different concentrations of heavy metal salts (zinc, copper, lead and chromium). After the plants were inoculated with the control population of the C. magnusianum fungus, a stimulating effect increasing the plants’ resistance to the action of the heavy metal salts was not detected. When the plants were inoculated with adapted populations of the C. magnusianum fungus, adaptive reactions of the plants associated with the content of photosynthetic pigments in the leaves and the formation of plant biomass were significantly manifested. Under these conditions, a more intense development of fungal infection in plant roots was observed in contrast to the use of the control fungal population. These findings therefore demonstrated an effective partnership between the C. magnusianum fungus and the root system of plants under extreme conditions for plant life. Keywords: Cylindrocarpon magnusianum, micromycetes, heavy metals, inoculation, biochemical indicators

Influence of Copper Pollution of Haplic Calcic Chernozem With Various Contents of Sand Fractions on Morphobiometric Indicators of Spring Barley

The growth and development of plants is one of the criteria for assessing the degree of soil pollution with heavy metals. Morphological and anatomical changes in test plants affected by pollutants, such as growth retardation, shoot bending, and decreased root length and mass, indicate the worsening of environmental conditions. The effect of various ratios of soil and sand polluted with copper (Cu) on morphobiometric parameters of spring barley (Hordeum sativum distichum), Ratnik variety, was studied in a model vegetative experiment. Haplic calcic chernozem was used as a substrate with different ratios of soil/sand. It was determined that an addition of sand into the soil in the amounts of 25%, 50% and 75% of soil mass resulted in the alteration of the physical properties of the chernozem, which was reflected in the morphometric parameters of the plants. The most notable changes in the parameters were observed after pollution of soil-sand substrates with Cu(CH3COO)2 in the amounts of 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, 1000 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg. The maximum growth and development retardation of the barley plants was found at the maximum content of sand and the maximum concentration of Cu. The pollutant reduced the root length and, to a lesser degree, the height of the aboveground components of the plant, which as a result, decreased the total plant biomass. Keywords: trace elements, soil, agricultural crops, particle size distribution

Effect of Differently Matured Composts from Willow on Growth and Development of Lettuce

Soil amendments from peats, brown coals and composts produced from segregated biodegradable waste or biomass from fallow land can increase soil fertility and improve soil productivity. The aim of the study was to determine the possibility of using willow (Salix viminalis L.) biomass composts as a substrate component in horticulture. The objects of the research were composts produced from willow carried out in a pile under aerobic conditions. The addition of hay and mineral nitrogen (Nmin) was used to improve process efficiency. In order to verify the type and determine fertilizing value, basic chemical parameters were analyzed (pH, total contents of C, N and P) and a pot experiment was established to analyze the germination and growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Changes in pH, an increase in total nitrogen content (TN), phosphorus (TP) and a decrease in TOC was observed in the investigated samples. Results of the experiment showed that the highest yield was obtained from the pots with the mixture of willow, hay and Nmin. Matured composts significantly stimulated the germination and growth of the test plants. It can be concluded that the addition of hay and Nmin significantly improved composting process and increased the fertilizing value of the investigated composts.

Modified materials based on layered minerals as ameliorants for the remediation of podzol in the industrial barren

Layered silicates, such as serpentine and vermiculite, have properties that make it possible to use materials based on them as components of environmental technologies. The possibility of soil remediation in industrially contaminated area, formed due to the long-term exposure to emissions from copper-nickel production (Monchegorsk, Murmansk region), was studied. Two materials were used as ameliorants in our study: expanded vermiculite and granular serpentine sorbent, a waste after using the purification technology of highly concentrated solutions from metals. These materials have a high sorption activity to several metals, a high specific surface area, the ability to retain moisture, and are available in quantities sufficient to work on the remediation of large areas. A study of the physicochemical properties of industrially polluted soil and ameliorants, direct phytotoxicity testing of podzol and its mixtures with expanded vermiculite and the serpentine sorbent (test plants - common oat Avna satva L. and red clover Trifolium pratnse L.) were carried out. The study results showed that the proposed materials were effective additives for increasing the pH of acidic soil, sorption and precipitation of Al and potentially toxic metals - Cu, Ni, Pb, Fe, and improving the soil hydrophysical and agrochemical characteristics. A positive response of test plants to the introduction of ameliorants into industrially contaminated soil was noted.

Phenetic phytoindication and biotesting of soils in recreation zones of Tver city

Исследованы фенофонды ценопопуляций подорожника большого (Plantago major L.) и сныти обыкновенной (Aegopodium podagraria L.) в рекреационных зонах г. Твери с разным уровнем загрязнения почв тяжелыми металлами (ТМ). Параллельно проведено биотестирование почв модельных биотопов по параметрам развития семян тест-растений - горчицы белой (Sinapis alba L.), кресс-салата (Lepidium sativum L.), сорго черного (Sorghum nigrum L.) в соответствии с ГОСТ Р ИСО 18763-2019. По мере возрастания суммарной токсической нагрузки на биотопы среднее число фенов у сныти и подорожника снижается. Однако доля редких фенов у сныти возрастает, а у подорожника уменьшается. Общие показатели фенетического разнообразия (среднее число и доля редких фенов) у сныти коррелируют с суммарной токсической нагрузкой на почвы в большей степени, чем у подорожника. Параметры развития семян разных видов тест-растений неоднозначно отражают фитотоксичность почв. В большей степени с суммарным содержанием ТМ в почве коррелируют показатели всхожести семян и размеры корней проростков у горчицы. Данные по фитоиндикации биотопов на основе фенетических показателей ценопопуляций сныти и, в меньшей степени подорожника, в целом согласуются с результатами биотестирования почв. The phenofonds of Plantago major L. and Aegopodium podagraria L. cenopopulations in recreation zones of Tver with different levels of soil contamination with heavy metals (HM) were studied. In parallel, biotesting of soils of model biotopes was carried out according to the parameters of test plants seeds development - Sinapis alba L., Lepidium sativum L., Sorghum nigrum L. in accordance with ISO 18763:2016. With an increase in the total toxic load on biotopes, the average number of phenes in P. major and A. podagraria decreases. However, the share of rare phenes increases in A. podagraria, and decreases in P. major. The general indicators of phenetic diversity (average number and proportion of rare phenes) in A. podagraria correlate with the total toxic load on soils to a greater extent than in P. major. The development parameters of seeds of different species of test plants ambiguously reflect the phytotoxicity of soils. To a greater extent, the indicators of seed germination and the seedlings root size in S. alba correlate with the total content of HM in the soil. The data on the phytoindication of biotopes based on the phenetic indices of the cenopopulations of A. podagraria and, to a lesser extent, P. major, are generally consistent with the results of soil biotesting.

POTENSI ALELOKIMIA DARI EXTRACT DAN MULSA BIOMAS TANAMAN SORGUM (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench)

[ALLELOCHEMICAL POTENTIAL OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT AND MULCH OF PLANT BIOMASS OF SORGHUM (Sorgum bicolor L. Moench)]. This study was aimed to examine the allelopathic potential of sorghum through aqueous extract and mulch from biomass on seed germination and early growth of three tested plants, namely rice, mustard and cucumber. The results showed that the aqueous extract of the sorghum biomass significantly inhibited the germination of mustard and cucumber seeds, reduced the vigor-index of the germination of rice, mustard and cucumber seeds, and suppressed the growth of radicle length of mustard sprouts. The same thing was seen when sorghum biomass was tested as mulch which also suppressed the early growth of the tested plants on the variables of stem height, fresh and dry weight of biomass of rice, mustard and cucumber. The higher the concentration of allelochemicals extract or sorghum mulch, the stronger the inhibition on germination and early growth of the three test plants. At a concentration of 10% allelochemicals suppressed the germination of mustard and cucumber to 76 and 79%, respectively, while a dose of 10% mulch suppressed early growth in the height of rice, mustard, and cucumber to 56, 55, and 68%; and dry weight to 53, 30 and 60%. The results of this study are important information about the allelochemical potential of sorghum as a natural herbicide in integrated weed management

Effect of analcite on cadmium phytoavailability and phytotoxity

The interactive effects of Cd and natural siliceous mineral analcite on Cd phytotoxicity and rate of accumulation in plant tissues have been analyzed. The test-plants of corn and hemp were grown in pots under controlled conditions of light, temperature, and soil moisture for 21 days in experiments modeling the following treatments: (1) without any amendments (control); (2) with the application of 0.1 % and 0.5 % (by weight) of CdSO4; (3) Cd salts (CdSO4) + analcite 0.1 g, 0.25 g, and 0.5 g per container. Test-plants performance was assessed by their growth characteristics (shoot height and root length), the content of photosynthetic pigments, macro- and micronutrients in leaves. The effect of Cd on maize and hemp plants inhibited their growth, chlorophyll biosynthesis in the leaves, led to a change in the balance of macro- and microelements, which leads to the accumulation of Cd in the tissues of shoots of both studied crops. Application of analcite partially compensated for the negative effects of Cd salts on the crop’s growth, chlorophyll content, and balance of nutrients and reduced Cd accumulation significantly in shoots.

Assessment of Phenol Detoxification by Rhodococcus aetherivorans UСM Ac-602 Using the Phytotesting Method

Monoaromatic compounds are related to widespread pollutants of soil and groundwater. Among them phenol is one of the most toxic and carcinogenic compounds. Therefore biodestruction of phenol is of much importance for environment protection. The use of metabolic potential of microorganisms for depolluting environment is a safe and economical alternative to widely used physicochemical methods. Aim. To assess efficacy of phenol detoxification with strain Rhodococcus aetherivorans UСM Ac-602 using the phytotesting method. Methods. Bacteria were cultivated in liquid mineral medium with initial concentration of phenol 500, 750 and 1000 mg/L as a single source of carbon and energy. Cultivation time was 24 h, 48 h and 72 h respectively. Phytotoxicity was determined in express-test with use of seeds of spring wheat variety “Pecheryanka” (Triticum aestivum L.). Plant seeds were incubated by temperature 20±2°C during 7 days in Petri dishes with filter paper treated with respective phenol aqueous solutions or post-fermentative cultural fluids (PFCFs). PFCFs were obtained after cultivation of strain in growth medium with same concentration of phenol. Morphometric parameters of wheat were assessed against control plants cultivated on distilled water. Comparative analysis of samples toxicity and toxicity class determination was performed according to Kabirov method by calculation of index of test factor toxicity (ITF). Results. Phenol aqueous solutions and PFCFs were much different in effect on wheat. Phenol solutions 500 and 700 mg/L have shown significant inhibitory effect on all initial growth parameters of test plants. The weakest growth inhibition was induced by phenol concentration of 500 mg/L which caused decrease in number of germinated seeds by 59.6%, shoot length – by 59.7%, root length – by 84.5%, sprout dry weight – by 35.0%. In the presence of phenol concentration of 750 mg/L these indicators increased by 7−30%; roots of test plants were the most sensitive to effect of phenol. Phenol concentration of 1000 mg/L caused total seed mortality. Unlike phenol aqueous solutions PFCFs have shown insignificant effect on all morphometric indicators of plants compared to control. Similar effects on plants were observed in the presence of PFCFs obtained from cultivation of strain R. aetherivorans UСM Ac-602 in the growth medium with initial concentrations of phenol of 500 and 750 mg/L. Under the influence of these PFCFs, the number of germinated seeds decreased on average by 15.8%, root length decreased by 19.8%, at the same time shoot length and their dry weight increased by 17.8% and 7.2% respectively. More negative effect on wheat was shown by PFCF obtained after strain cultivation on medium with phenol concentration 1000 mg/L. It caused reduction in number of germinated seeds by 18.0 %, shoot length – by 25.3%, root length – by 29.0%, sprout dry weight – by 7.2%. For phenol aqueous solutions ITFs had much lower values 0–0.40 than for PFCFs (0.71–1.0). Conclusions. Based on data obtained in this research it was concluded that strain R. aetherivorans UCM Ac-602 performs active detoxification of high-concentrated phenol-containing media. Analysis of calculation results for ITF medium values (ITFm) had shown that under the influence of studied strain there was a decrease in toxicity of phenol solutions (500, 750 and 1000 mg/L). According to Kabirov toxicity scale it was assessed that toxicity of phenol solutions with initial values of classes II (high) and I (very high) was decreased to IV (low) and V (normal level). Our results demonstrate ecological safety of the end products of phenol destruction with strain R. aetherivorans UCM AC-602 and prospects of its use in biotechnologies for environment detoxification from phenol pollutions.

First report of a mastrevirus (Geminiviridae) transmitted by the corn leafhopper

Maize striate mosaic virus (MSMV; genus Mastrevirus), was recently reported in maize plants in Brazil, and also detected by metagenomic analyses in the corn leafhopper, Dalbulus maidis (DeLong & Wolcott). Although these findings suggested that D. maidis is a potential vector, no transmission studies have been performed. Here, we tested the transmission of MSMV by D. maidis from field-collected infected plants and plants infected with MSMV via leafhopper-mediated transmission in the laboratory; all plants were confirmed positive for MSMV by PCR. In each one of three transmission replicates, aviruliferous D. maidis nymphs and adults were confined together on a source plant during a 4-day acquisition access period (AAP), and subsequently transferred to healthy maize seedlings (10 individuals per test plant) in a series of 4-day inoculation access periods (IAPs). We also tested transmission by the corn aphid, Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch) and by mechanical inoculation of healthy maize seedlings. Only D. maidis transmitted MSMV, with overall transmission rates of 29.4 and 39.5% using field-collected infected plants, and 18.5% using infected plants in laboratory. D. maidis transmitted MSMV until the third (8-12 days after the AAP) or fourth successive IAP (12-16 days) with gradual loss in transmission efficiency and rate of viruliferous insects over time, suggesting a persistent, but non-propagative mode of transmission. Infected test plants showed mottling symptoms with mild chlorotic streaks and height reduction. This is the first report of transmission of a mastrevirus by D. maidis, facilitating the completion of Koch’s postulate for MSMV.

The Effects of pH-Neutral Electrolysed Oxidising Water on Growth and Development of Chrysanthemums

The aim of the study was to analyse the effects of pH-neutral electrolysed oxidising water (pH-neutral EOW), prepared by using the Envirolyte® system, on the growth and development of chrysanthemums. The experiment included two varieties of potted ('Tonka Blanc', 'Jahou CoCo') and two cut flower varieties of chrysanthemums ('Annecy White', 'Ninja'). The test plants planted in pots were irrigated with three different solutions of pH-neutral EOW (0%, 0.1% and 0.2%). Based on the results of the study, we can confirm that pH-neutral EOW has a significant effect on the growth and development of the studied chrysanthemum varieties. In potted chrysanthemums, we found a significant effect on the increased number and diameter of inflorescences, as well as fresh and dried weight of the plant and inflorescences. Chrysanthemums for cut flowers were taller and more developed, with a greater weight of the aboveground part of the plant. Its effect on the growth and development of the studied varieties depended on the solution of the mixture. Best results were observed with the 0.2% solution of pH-neutral EOW.