Physiological and yield effects of uniconazole on winter rape (Brassica napus L.)

Uniconazole at various concentrations on rape, at the three-leaf stage, was examined for physiologic and yield effects. Foliar sprays of 10, 25, and 50 mg/liter significantly reduced seedling height, and increased shoot width (stem width before elongation), number of green leaves, and total dry weight at transplanting. Chlorophyll content, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, root oxidizability (capacity for root oxidation), and ethylene production were also increased. Additionally, the number of branches and pods/plant were increased; and a 7.4, 8.5, and 4.3% increase of seed yield over the controls was observed with treatments at 10, 25, and 50 mg/liter uniconazole, respectively. No significant effects were observed on plant maturity, the seed oil content, or the erucic acid and glucosinolate content. Total oil production significantly increased with 10, 25, and 50 mg/liter by 9.9, 10.6, and 6.8%, respectively, over the controls. These results suggested that uniconazole-induced high productivity was accompanied by increased levels of activities of various antioxidants, including superoxide dismutase and catalase, and by the improvement of root oxidizability and plant vigor.Abbreviations SOD superoxide dismutase - CAT catalase - NBT nitro blue tetrazolium - TTC red tetrazolium - IAA indoleacetic acid     

Alleviation of Waterlogging Damage in Winter Rape by Uniconazole Application: Effects on Enzyme Activity, Lipid Peroxidation, and Membrane Integrity

Oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) seedlings treated with uniconazole [(E)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-(1,2,4-triazol-l-yl)-l-penten-3-ol] were transplanted at the five-leaf stage into specially designed experimental containers and then exposed to waterlogging for 3 weeks. After waterlogging stress, uniconazole-treated seedlings had significantly higher activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase enzymes and endogenous free proline content at both the seedling and flowering stages. Uniconazole plus waterlogging-treated plants had a significantly higher content of unsaturated fatty acids than the waterlogged plants. There was a parallel increase in the lipid peroxidation level and electrolyte leakage rate from the leaves of waterlogged plants. Leaves from uniconazole plus waterlogging-treated plants had a significantly lower lipid peroxidation level and electrolyte leakage rate compared with waterlogged plants at both the seedling and flowering stages. Pretreatment of seedlings with uniconazole could effectively delay stress-induced degradation of chlorophyll and reduction of root oxidizability. Uniconazole did not alter the soluble sugar content of leaves and stems, after waterlogging of seedlings. Uniconazole improved waterlogged plant performance and increased seed yield, possibly because of improved antioxidation defense mechanisms, and it retarded lipid peroxidation and membrane deterioration of plants. Received February 2, 1998; accepted November 30, 1998     

三七自毒与化感作用初步研究

采用生物测定方法,对三七的自毒与化感作用进行初步研究。结果表明:(1)三七种子萌发过程中的自毒作用随其播种密度不同而有一定差异,但无明显规律性。三七种子萌发过程中的分泌物对油菜生长具有化感作用,主要表现为对油菜种子发芽率、发芽指数及苗高的抑制效应;(2)三七水浸液对不同受体植物的化感作用不尽相同,对小麦主要表现为对苗鲜重、苗干重、根鲜重、苗高及须根数有不同程度的促进或抑制作用;对油菜则表现为对其种子发芽率具有抑制作用,而对苗鲜重、苗干重、根鲜重、最长根长具有促进作用;(3)三七存在明显的化感自毒作用,其自毒物质可能为影响其连作的一个重要因素。     

Effects of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid on Oilseed Rape Seedling Growth under Herbicide Toxicity Stress

Weeds are one of the major constraints in oilseed Brassica production. Use of effective herbicides to control weeds in the fields is one of the major objectives of agronomists. To improve weed control efficacy and minimize the application costs, complex combinations of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and a new postemergence herbicide, propyl 4-(2-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yloxy)benzylamino)benzoate (ZJ0273), were used to investigate their combined effects in relation to seedling growth and development of oilseed rape (Brassica napus cv. ZS 758). Brassica seeds were treated with different concentrations of ZJ0273 [100 (normal dose for rape), 200, 500, and 1000 mg/L] and ALA (0.1, 1, 10, and 50 mg/L). ALA was applied as pre- and post-treatment alone and in combination with ZJ0273. We found that ZJ0273 stress imposed negative effects on rape seedling growth. Shoot fresh weight, shoot length, and root fresh weight were inhibited significantly under ZJ0273 stress, and the rate of decline increased consistently with increased ZJ0273 concentration. Root oxidizability was also inhibited significantly under ZJ0273 stress conditions, and the higher the concentration of the herbicide ZJ0273, the lower the oxidizability. Herbicide ZJ0273 treatment produced a gradual decrease in antioxidant enzymes (peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and ascorbate peroxidase) and an increase in peroxidation substance (malondialdehyde accumulation). The increase and decrease were consistent with the ZJ0273 dosage. Our results indicated that pre- and post-treatments with a lower dosage of ALA (1 mg/L) improved rape seedling growth and root oxidizability parameters, whereas a higher concentration of ALA (50 mg/L) depressed growth. We also found that plants treated with 1 mg/L ALA produced the highest shoot fresh weights, shoot lengths, root fresh weights, and root oxidizability when the seeds were treated with different concentrations of ZJ0273. Lower dosages of ALA improved the activities of antioxidant enzymes, whereas the highest dosage of ALA increased the accumulation of peroxidation substance. These results indicate that ALA has promotive effects in the recovery of growth and development of rape seedlings under herbicide ZJ0273 toxicity stress.     

壳聚糖包衣对油菜种子萌发及幼苗耐盐性影响

以不同浓度的壳聚糖对油菜种子进行包衣处理,考察其对油菜种子萌发及幼苗耐盐性的影响,并在不同盐浓度胁迫条件下对种子萌发时的发芽势、发芽率、生物量（鲜重、干重、根长、芽长）等指标进行测定,同时分析油菜幼苗叶绿素含量、可溶性蛋白及可溶性糖含量的变化。结果表明,一定浓度的壳聚糖包衣处理可提高油菜种子发芽率、发芽势、生物量、幼苗的耐盐指数、叶绿素含量、可溶性蛋白及可溶性糖的含量,其中浓度为0.25 g·L^-1壳聚糖包衣处理对油菜种子萌发的促进效果较好,而浓度为0.50 g·L^-1壳聚糖包衣处理对提高油菜幼苗耐盐性具有较好的促进作用。     

Effects of Waterlogging on Nitrogen Accumulation and Alleviation of Waterlogging Damage by Application of Nitrogen Fertilizer and Mixtalol in Winter Rape (Brassica napus L.)

A study on the physiological and yield effects of waterlogging and the alleviation of waterlogging damage by the application of nitrogen fertilizers and mixtalol in winter rape was conducted in experimental tanks especially designed for controlling soil moisture content. The results showed that waterlogging at the seedling and stem elongation stages causes a significant decrease in nitrogen content and rate of nitrogen accumulation. Leaf chlorophyll content, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, and root oxidizability (capacity for root oxidation) and root exudate were also reduced by waterlogging. The experiments confirmed that the physiological function of rape plants was retarded during the time of waterlogging at the seedling stage, and its adverse effects remained. Plant height, stem width, and the number of primary branches per plant were decreased significantly by waterlogging at the seedling and stem elongation stages. Pods per plant and seeds per pod were also reduced significantly, giving a 21.3 and 12.5% decrease of seed yield from the control for treatments at the seedling and stem elongation stages, respectively. Foliar sprays of nitrogen fertilizers at the seedling stage or mixtalol at the flowering stage alleviated plant damage caused by waterlogging by retarding chlorophyll and nitrogen degradation, increasing superoxide dismutase and catalase activities and root oxidizability, and improving yield components and seed yield of waterlogged plants. Therefore, besides draining off water, alleviation of waterlogging damage may be controlled by applying nitrogen fertilizer and a suitable plant growth regulator at appropriate growth stages. Received July 3, 1996; accepted December 26, 1996     

Growth responses to waterlogging and drainage of woody Hakea (Proteaceae) seedlings,originating from contrasting habitats in south-western Australia

We investigated the responses of seven woody Hakea (Proteaceae) species (two populations of each), to two months of waterlogging and subsequent drainage, in a controlled glasshouse experiment. The species originated from contrasting environments (winter-wetland versus non-wetland habitats), and differed in abundance (endangered ironstone species versus common species). Waterlogging arrested growth of the main root system, and stimulated the formation of superficial adventitious roots just below the root/shoot junction in all species. Wetland species produced at least twice the amount of adventitious root dry mass of that of non-wetland species, due to differences in number, length or degree of branching. Their adventitious roots also tended to have higher porosities (7–10% versus 5–6% gas spaces). The relative amount of adventitious roots formed was strongly, positively correlated with the maintenance of shoot growth, and only the non-wetland species showed significant shoot growth reductions (19%) upon waterlogging. Dry mass percentage of stems and leaves, and leaf dry mass per area (LMA) increased considerably during waterlogging in all species (averages of 15, 29 and 27%, respectively), returning to the values of continuously drained control plants after drainage. Similarly, upon drainage, a suppression of shoot growth (average 35%) and a stimulation of root growth (average 50%) restored the root mass ratios to those of control plants. We found a negative correlation between the maintenance of growth during waterlogging versus that after waterlogging, suggesting a trade-off in functioning of the superficial adventitious roots between waterlogged and drained conditions. The rare winter-wet ironstone endemics resembled the common winter-wet species in most of their responses to waterlogging and drainage. Therefore, the results presented here cannot offer an explanation for their different distribution patterns. Our results suggest that non-wetland species may be disadvantaged in a wetland environment, due to their lower capacity to form adventitious roots resulting in stronger growth reductions.     

多裂骆驼蓬中生物碱类物质对小麦种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响

室内培养和盆栽试验结果表明,多裂骆驼蓬生物碱提取液浸种的小麦萌发种子呼吸速率、淀粉酶和蛋白酶活性受抑,种子萌发率下降并随处理浓度提高而降低。幼苗根系活性和叶绿素含量提高,叶片硝酸还原酶（NR）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）和过氧化物酶（POD）活性增强,过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性下降;幼苗根体积,株高、根系和地上部干重增加。多裂骆驼蓬生物碱提取液浸种对小麦种子萌发和幼苗生长作用的大小顺序为：总生物碱〉水溶性生物碱〉脂溶性生物碱。     

Consumption of wheat seed reserves during germination and early growth as affected by soil water potential

Seed size and weight are important criteria for determining seedling vigour and stand establishment. Evolution of seed dry weight of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) during germination and early growth was examined because poor stands are often associated with the depletion and exhaustion of seed reserves. Two laboratory experiments were conducted on filter paper and in soil at three water potentials using wheat seeds. Seed, root, and shoot dry weights were recorded at approximately one-day intervals. Coleoptile and first leaf lengths were also measured at all sampling periods. Wheat seedlings grown on filter paper in the dark grew to a length of 90 to 100 mm with 50% of the initial seed weight remaining after eight days when the experiment was terminated. In soil, wheat seedlings grew 15 mm with 25% of the initial seed weight remaining. Seed reserves were depleted more quickly when the soil was wet because seedlings grew more quickly. There were significant and similar negative relationships between seed weight and coleoptile length of wheat seedlings grown on filter paper and in soil. There was no effect of soil water potential on the relationship between seed weight and shoot length. Therefore, it was concluded that poor wheat stands are not likely to occur due to depletion of seed reserves under field conditions without mechanical obstacles.     

苗期紫花苜蓿株体对不同地区垂穗披碱草种子萌发生长的化感作用

以发芽率、苗长、根长、苗干重、根干重变化为种子萌发和幼苗生长参数,研究苗期紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa)植株浸提液对不同地区垂穗披碱草(Elymus nutans)种子萌发生长的化感作用。结果表明:地上部浸提液对LS、DX垂穗披碱草种子发芽率具有明显的促进作用,而对GS、KMX、LKZ、LZ地区垂穗披碱草种子发芽率均表现为抑制作用,其中对GS垂穗披碱草种子发芽率的抑制作用最强,在14.5%和5.5%浓度处理时抑制率分别为57.89%、55.26%;苗长方面,浸提液5.5%浓度对垂穗披碱草苗长的抑制率顺序为:LZNQDXLSKMXQHGSLKZ,14.5%处理时抑制率顺序为:LZKMXLKZNQGSQHDXLS,其中抑制率最高的为LZ垂穗披碱草,在14.5%和5.5%浓度处理时抑制率分别为33.03%、28.97%;根长方面,5.5%处理对垂穗披碱草根长的抑制率顺序为:QHNQLZKMX、GSLKZDX、LS,14.5%处理时抑制率顺序为:GSQH、NQLZLSKMXDXLKZ,其中在高浓度下抑制率最高的为GS垂穗披碱草,抑制率为57.69%;地上部浸提液对LKZ、LZ垂穗披碱草苗干重均具有促进作用,高浓度浸提液对NQ垂穗披碱草苗干重产生促进作用(RI0),而对KMX、DX垂穗披碱草苗干重均表现为抑制作用;根干重方面,浸提液对LS、QH、GS、NQ、LKZ垂穗披碱草根干重均有明显的抑制作用,而对KMX、DX垂穗披碱草根干重产生促进作用,高浓度浸提液对LZ垂穗披碱草的根干重产生促进作用。从根浸提液的作用来看,根浸提液除对LS、DX垂穗披碱草种子发芽率和根干重、GS垂穗披碱草种子发芽率和苗干重及NQ垂穗披碱草根干重具有促进作用外(P 0.05),对其余地区垂穗披碱草的各项指标均有明显的抑制作用(RI0)。所有以上结果表明,紫花苜蓿植株浸提液对垂穗披碱草种子萌发生长的作用具有一定的浓度效应。不同地区垂穗披碱草对紫花苜蓿地上部浸提液的敏感性趋势总体为:GSQHLSKMXNQLKZLZ,最不敏感或有促进作用的是DX垂穗披碱草;对根浸提液的敏感性趋势总体为:QHNQLZKMX,根浸提液对LS、GS、LKZ、DX垂穗披碱草种子萌发生长具有促进作用。紫花苜蓿植株不同部位浸提液对垂穗披碱草种子萌发生长的化感效应顺序为:地上部根。     

Seed zinc content influences early vegetative growth and zinc uptake in oilseed rape (Brassica napus and Brassica juncea) genotypes on zinc-deficient soil

Low-Zn seed (around 80 ng Zn per seed) and high-Zn seed (around 160 ng Zn per seed) of Zhongyou 821 (a traditional Brassica napus genotype from China found to be Zn-inefficient in our previous experiments), Narendra (Zn-efficient B. napus genotype from Australia) and CSIRO-1 (a Zn-efficient B. juncea genotype from Australia) oilseed rape genotypes were sown in pots containing Zn-deficient siliceous sand fertilized with low Zn supply (0.05 mg Zn kg^–1 soil) or high Zn supply (2.0 mg Zn kg^–1 soil) in a controlled environment. After six weeks, plants derived from the high-Zn seed had better seedling vigour, increased root and shoot growth, more leaf area and chlorophyll concentration in fresh leaf, and higher Zn uptake in shoot compared to those from low-Zn seed at low Zn supply; the impact of high-Zn seed was more marked in Zhongyou 821 compared with CSIRO-1 and Narendra. The influence of high-Zn seed was dissipated at high Zn supply. CSIRO-1 was superior in terms of shoot dry matter production and Zn uptake in shoots at low Zn supply. The results demonstrate that although oilseed rape has very small seeds (about 3 mg per seed weight) compared with wheat (30 mg per seed weight), Zn reserves present in this very small seed still have a strong impact on early vegetative growth as well as on Zn uptake of plants in Zn-deficient soils. The results suggest that sowing high-Zn seed coupled with growing Zn-efficient genotypes may help in sustaining the production of oilseed rape in Zn-deficient soils, and this has implications for improved seed technology.     

Seedling ecology of two miombo woodland trees

The development of seedlings of two miombo trees, Brachystegia spiciformis Benth. and Julbernardia paniculata (Benth.) Troupin, was studied during two growing seasons (December 1989–April 1991) at a Zambian grassland site. Seed germination rates under laboratory and field conditions were not significantly different although germination in the field was delayed by 1–2 weeks due to insufficient rainfall. After one year of storage J. paniculata seed germination had declined from 67% to 17% while germination of B. spiciformis seeds remained at about 83%.Leaf production was confined to the rainy season. Leaf fall occurred during the dry season and in J. paniculata this was followed by shoot die-back during the hot dry period (August–November). Two-thirds of B. spiciformis seedlings experienced shoot die-back but shoot die-back did not necessarily result in seedling mortality. Seedling deaths occurred during the germination period (6–10 weeks after planting) and in the hot dry period (40–50 weeks after planting) during September–November. Survivorship of B. spiciformis seedlings was 74% at the end of the second growing season while this was 46% for J. paniculata.Shoot growth was negligible during the second growing season. In fact mean maximum leaf area of B. spiciformis decreased significantly from 19.7 cm² (SD=5.7) per plant at the end of the first growing season to 13.3 cm² (SD=5.8) at the end of the second growing season (t=3.31, P<0.01). However, root biomass of B. spiciformis seedlings increased 2.8 times during the second growing season.These results suggest that shoot die-back in seedlings of miombo trees is caused by drought and that the slow shoot growth is the result of allocating most of the biomass to root growth during seedling development.     

Effects of sugars and growth regulators on <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dactylorhiza</Emphasis> species

The influence of sugars and growth regulators on shoot and root growth of Dactylorhiza species was studied under in vitro conditions. The seedling development was stimulated with the application of glucose and sucrose at concentration of 10 g dm⁻³ each. The improvement of shoot growth rate and shoot length was enhanced by cytokinins N ⁶-(2-isopentenyl)adenine or N ⁶-benzyladenine and their combination with auxin indolebutyric acid (IBA). The root growth rate and root length of seedlings increased in the presence of IBA and α-naphthaleneacetic acid. Individual Dactylorhiza species showed statistically significant differences in shoot and root development depending on sugar and growth regulator combinations.     

Allelopathic potential of Zilla spinosa on growth of associate flowering plants and some rhizosphere fungi

Zilla spinosa plant part extracts exhibited significantly different inhibitory effect on the seed germination and seedling growth of its associate species. Shoot extract reduced the percentage germination and seedling length of different test species more than root extract. Except of Z. coccineum, seedling growth was more sensitive than seed germination. Shoot/root ratio of all test species increased significantly with increase in extract concentration. Mycelia growth of the two rhizosphere fungal species was more significantly reduced by Z. spinosa shoot extract than root extract. The effects of the different extracts on total protein and total carbohydrate contents of the two test species were comparable. Non-significant increase was recorded at low concentration of both shoot and root extract. However, with the rise of extract concentration, highly significant reduction in the content of these metabolites was recorded. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Seedling vigour and the early growth of transplanted rice (Oryza sativa)

Previous studies suggest that the positive response of transplanted rice (Oryza sativa L.) to nursery fertiliser application was due to increased seedling vigour or possibly to increased nutrient content. This paper presents results of two glasshouse experiments designed to test the hypothesis that seedling vigour was responsible for the response of transplanted seedlings to nursery treatments. The aim of the present study was to explore the concept of seedling vigour of transplanted rice and to determine what plant attributes conferred vigour on the seedlings. Seedling vigour treatments were established by subjecting seedlings to short-term submergence (0, 1 and 2 days/week) in one experiment and to leaf clipping or root pruning and water stress in another to determine their effect on plant growth after transplanting. Submerging seedlings increased plant height but depressed shoot and root dry matter and root:shoot ratio of the seedling at 28 days after sowing. After transplanting these seedlings, prior submergence depressed shoot dry matter at 40 days. Nursery nutrient application increased plant height, increased root and shoot dry matter, but generally decreased root:shoot ratio. Pruning up to 60% of the roots at transplanting decreased shoot and root dry matter, P concentration in leaves at panicle initiation (PI) and straw dry matter and grain yield at maturity. By contrast, pruning 30% of leaves depressed shoot and root dry matter by 30% at PI, and root dry matter and straw and grain yield by 20% at maturity. The combined effects of leaf clipping and root pruning on shoot, root and straw dry matter were largely additive. It is concluded that the response of rice yield to nursery treatments is largely due to increased seedling vigour and can be effected by a range of nutritional as well as non-nutritional treatments of seedlings that increase seedling dry matter, nutrient content, and nutrient concentration. Impairment of leaf growth and to a lesser extent root growth in the nursery depressed seedling vigour after transplanting. However, rather than increasing stress tolerance, seedling vigour was more beneficial when post transplant growth was not limited by nutrient or water stresses.     

Effect of Trichoderma harzianum on microelement concentrations and increased growth of cucumber plants

The potential of the biocontrol agent Trichoderma harzianum strain T-203 to induce a growth response in cucumber plants was studied in soil and under axenic hydroponic growth conditions. When soil was amended with T. harzianum propagules, a 30% increase in seedling emergence was observed up to 8 days after sowing. On day 28, these plants exhibited a 95 and 75% increase in root area and cumulative root length, respectively, and a significant increase in dry weight (80%), shoot length (45%) and leaf area (80%). Similarly, an increase of 90 and 30% in P and Fe concentration respectively, was observed in T. harzianum inoculated plants. To better characterize the effect of T. harzianum during the early stages of root colonization, experiments were carried out in a gnotobiotic hydroponic system. An increased growth response was apparent as early as 5 days post-inoculation with T. harzianum, resulting in an increase of 25 and 40% in the dry weight of roots and shoots, respectively. Similarly a significant increase in the concentration of Cu, P, Fe, Zn, Mn and Na was observed in inoculated roots. In the shoots of these plants, the concentration of Zn, P and Mn increased by 25, 30 and 70%, respectively. Using the axenic hydroponic system, we showed that the improvement of plant nutritional level may be directly related to a general beneficial growth effect of the root system following T. harzianum inoculation. This phenomenon was evident from 5 days post-inoculation throughout the rest of the growth period, resulting in biomass accumulation in both roots and shoots.     

不同花生品种对旱涝胁迫的响应及生理机制

为评价花生对旱、涝胁迫的响应,本试验以4个旱、涝耐性差异明显的花生品种为材料,运用温室防雨盆栽方法,在苗期、花针期分别进行正常灌溉(对照)、干旱(7d,叶片萎蔫)、根部淹涝(土面水深2 cm,时间1d、3d、7d)和整株淹涝(水深至苗顶,时间1d、3d、7d)的处理,测定地上部及根系生物量、根冠比、根系活力、叶片超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、丙二醛(MDA)含量。结果表明,苗期、花针期干旱均抑制地上部生长,提高根冠比;苗期干旱降低根系生物量,而花针期增加。2个时期淹涝均促进地上部生长、抑制根系生长、降低根冠比,并随淹水加深、延时而加重。旱、涝条件下根系活力均降低,SOD、MDA呈上升趋势。遭受相同时间(7d)的水分胁迫后,危害程度以干旱重于淹涝,花针期重于苗期。基于生物量、生理指标变化的综合分析进一步表明,4个花生品种的旱、涝耐性差异很大,湘花55号耐旱性强、耐涝性弱,豫花15号耐旱性弱、耐涝性强,中花4号耐旱、涝性均最弱,中花8号耐旱、涝性均最强。     

薯蓣皂素对油菜种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响

薯蓣皂素对油菜种子萌发及幼苗生长的作用随处理浓度的不同而有差别。0．5mg／L对种子萌发和幼苗生长有明显的促进作用,处理后的油菜幼苗下胚轴伸长,干鲜重增加,并且子叶中可溶性蛋白、可溶性总糖、过氧化物酶和过氧化氢酶、Ca2 -ATP酶的活性都高于对照,这表明适度的薯蓣皂素有利于油菜生长和代谢。     

Changes in Germination and Seedling Traits of Sesame under Simulated Drought

Drought is considered one of the leading abiotic constraints to agricultural crop production globally. Present study was conducted to assess the effects of different drought treatments (viz. Control, 10% PEG, and 20% PEG) on seed germination, germination indices, seedling traits, and drought tolerance indices of sesame. Our results showed that maximum reduction in the studied parameters was observed at higher PEG concentration (i.e., 20% PEG). As compared to control, the drought treatments viz. 10% and 20% PEG decreased the values for germination indices, such as germination percentage, coefficient of variation of germination time, germination index, and seedling vigor index. Similarly, for seedling traits, the values were decreased for root length, shoot length, root shoot ratio, root fresh weight, shoot fresh weight, root dry weight and shoot dry weight under 10% and 20% PEG treatments significantly in comparison with control. Furthermore, relative to control, the values for drought tolerance indices, such as germination drought tolerance index, root length drought tolerance index, shoot length drought tolerance index, total seedling length drought tolerance index, root fresh weight drought tolerance index, shoot fresh weight drought tolerance index, total fresh weight drought tolerance index, root dry weight drought tolerance index, shoot dry weight drought tolerance index and total dry weight drought tolerance index were also reduced under 10% and 20% PEG treatments, respectively. Our results confirms that drought impact on seed germination and seedling traits could be quantified by using different indices which can further help to design drought adaptation and mitigation strategies. Based on these results it can be concluded that germination indices, seedling traits, and drought tolerance indices have great potential to simulate drought stress impacts on different crop traits thus they should be used in all kinds of stress related studies.     

Effect of silicate on the growth and arsenate uptake by rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings in solution culture

A solution culture experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of silicate on the yield and arsenate uptake by rice. Rice seedlings (Oryza sativaL. cv. Weiyou 77) were cultured in modified Hoagland nutrient solution containing three arsenate levels (0, 0.5 and 1.0 mg L ^–1 As) and four silicate levels (0, 14, 28 and 56 mg L ^–1 Si). Addition of Si significantly increased shoot dry weight (P=0.001) but had little effect on root dry weight (P=0.43). Addition of As had no significant effect on shoot dry weight (P=0.43) but significantly increased root dry weight (P=0.01). Silicon concentrations in shoots and roots increased proportionally to increasing amounts of externally supplied Si (P < 0.001). The presence of As in the nutrient solution had little effect on shoot Si concentration (P=0.16) but significantly decreased root Si concentration (P=0.005). Increasing external Si concentration significantly decreased shoot and root As concentrations and total As uptake by rice seedlings (P <0.001). In addition, Si significantly decreased shoot P concentration and shoot P uptake (P <0.001). The data clearly demonstrate a beneficial effect of Si on the growth of rice seedlings. Addition of Si to the growth medium also inhibited the uptake of arsenate and phosphate by the rice seedlings.