Carbohydrate production and transport in cotton cultivars grown under boron deficiency

An adequate supply of boron (B) is required for the optimal growth and development of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plants, but the low phloem mobility of B limits the possibilities of correcting B deficiency. There are indications that different cotton cultivars could have different responses to B deficiency. The differences in responses of cotton cultivars to B regarding photoassimilate production and transport were studied in a greenhouse experiment with nutrient solution. Treatments consisted of three cotton cultivars (FMT 701, DP 604BG and FMX 993) and five concentrations of B (0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 µmol L−1). Sampling began at the phenological stage B1 (first square) and continued for four weeks. The leaf area and the number of reproductive branches and structures decreased due to B deficiency. A higher level of abortion of reproductive structures was observed under B deficiency. Boron deficiency increased the internal CO2 concentration but decreased the transpiration rate, stomatal conductance and photosynthesis. Despite the decrease in photosynthesis, nonstructural carbohydrates accumulated in the leaves due to decreased export to bolls in B-deficient plants. The response to B deficiency is similar among cotton cultivars, which shows that the variability for this trait is low even for cultivars with different genetic backgrounds

Reduction of heavy metal contents in liquid effluents by vermicomposts and the use of the metal-enriched vermicomposts in lettuce cultivation

The removal of Cu, Ni and Zn from electroplating effluents by adsorption in cattle manure vermicompost has been discussed. A glass column 38 cm long and 7 cm i.d. was loaded with cattle manure vermicompost and effluents were passed through it. The metal concentrations were measured in the elutant. The experiments on adding effluent aliquots into the columns were continued until the metal concentrations in the elutant reached the maximum values established for effluent discharges in water courses by the Brazilian quality criteria, i.e., Cu = 1.0 mg L−1, Ni = 2.0 mg L−1, and Zn = 5.0 mg L−1. The amount of Cu retention by the vermicompost was determined at the natural effluent pH (2.0). The Zn and Ni retentions were evaluated at the natural effluent pH (6.9 and 7.4, respectively) as well pH 2.0. Vermicompost residues obtained from this process were used for lettuce cultivation. The vermicompost was found to be efficient in removing metals from the electroplating wastes, as well as in the increase of its pH values. Metal retention values were close to 100%. The Cu concentrations in lettuce leaves from the treatment with vermicompost enriched with this metal were below the range of critical toxicity level to plants, i.e., from 20 to 100 mg L−1. However, the estimated Cu concentrations in the roots from the treatment with vermicompost enriched with Cu were much larger than that of the treatment with the natural vermicompost, reaching 246.3 mg L−1. The Ni and Zn concentrations in lettuce leaves from the treatments, with vermicomposts enriched with the respective metals, were above the range of critical toxicity levels to plants, i.e., from 10 to 50 mg kg−1 and from 15 to 30 mg kg−1, respectively. However, no symptom of toxicity was found visually. Larger accumulations of Cu, Ni and Zn were found in the lettuce leaves than in the roots after the treatments with the uncontaminated vermicompost. A greater absorption of Cu and Ni by roots was found in treatments with vermicompost enriched with these elements, whereas Zn was found preferentially in the leaves. The statistical analysis was done by analyses of variance and regression

Translocação e compartimentalização de Zn aplicado via ZnSO4 e ZnEDTA nas folhas de cafeeiro e feijoeiro Translocation and compartmentation of zinc by ZnSO4 e ZnEDTA applied on coffee and bean seedlings leaves

Com o objetivo de avaliar a translocação e a compartimentalização de Zn, aplicado via foliar nas formas de ZnSO4 e ZnEDTA, foram conduzidos dois ensaios em solução nutritiva, em casa de vegetação, utilizando-se mudas de cafeeiro e feijoeiro, em condições de suficiência e deficiência de Zn. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições em esquema fatorial (2 x 3), correspondendo a dois níveis de Zn na solução nutritiva (suficiência e deficiência) e três formas de suprimento de Zn às plantas (ZnSO4 e ZnEDTA a 14mmol L-1 de Zn, ambos em pincelamento na folha, e testemunha sem receber aplicação de Zn). Em ambas as espécies, o ZnSO4 foi mais adsorvido à cutícula da folha do que o ZnEDTA, demonstrando ser a retenção cuticular de Zn importante barreira na sua absorção. O estado nutricional do feijoeiro em Zn afetou o aproveitamento do Zn aplicado via foliar. Tanto a folha pincelada como a planta inteira de feijoeiro adquiriram maior quantidade de Zn do que as do cafeeiro. Em condição de inadequada nutrição em Zn, em ambas as espécies, a utilização de ZnEDTA foi mais eficiente na translocação do Zn. Quando foi aplicado ZnSO4 às folhas de cafeeiro crescidas em solução nutritiva não contendo Zn, houve acúmulo de Zn no caule, indicando que há grande afinidade do Zn2+ do sulfato com as cargas livres existentes nos vasos condutores.<br>Two experiments were conducted aiming to evaluate translocation and compartmentation of ZnSO4 and ZnEDTA applied on leaves of coffee and bean seedlings previously grown under Zn sufficiency or deficiency in nutritive solution in greenhouse. The treatments applied were 14mmol L-1 ZnSO4, ZnEDTA and test without zinc applied on leaves. In both species, ZnSO4 was more retained on leaf cuticle, indicating cuticular zinc retention to be an important barrier in its uptake. The nutritional status of bean plants had a significant effect upon zinc utilization when it was applied on leaves. Bean plants enhanced zinc acquisition more than coffee seedlings. Plants grown in zinc deficient solution showed a higher efficiency in ZnEDTA translocation. Coffee seedlings grown in zinc deficient solution showed higher zinc retention in the stem, suggesting high Zn2+ affinity with negatively charged groups in the conductive vessels