Concentrational study of nutrients related to chelators assisted sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) from artificially cadmium-contaminated soil

The present study investigates the appliance of cadmium (Cd) noxiousness and damage to nutrient concentration in sunflower hybrids, FH-533 and Hysun-33, as well as the role of natural and synthetic chelator’s oxalic acid (OA) and ethylene triamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) respectively in reducing the Cd toxicity in sunflower plant. Sunflower, known as heavy metal phytoextractor, was grown in soil artificially contaminated with soluble salt CdCl2 at 250 ppm and 450 ppm. Pot experiment was conducted in a complete randomized design with three replicates for cadmium metal, chelating agents and sunflower hybrids at seedling, vegetative and reproductive stages. Application of Cd of 250 ppm and 450 ppm imposed the negative effect on shoot and root dry biomass by directly or indirectly disturbing the nutrient uptake. Maximum growth and nutrient uptake were observed when chelators (EDTA and OA) were applied alone respectively. In Cd contaminated soil the application of EDTA proved helpful in ameliorating the toxic effect of Cd250 on nutrient content of both sunflower hybrids as compared to Cd450, the Hysun-33 showed better results in terms of K, Ca, Fe, Zn, P, N as compared to FH-533, so it can be cultivated on Cd adulterated soil for better yield. The presented results offer a novel solution for optimization of sunflower cultivation on soil affected by Cd, as well as for increased health-promoting nutrients of sunflower

Effect of thiourea on physiological performance of two salt affected rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars

Aims: The aim of the experiment was to investigate the effect of thiourea on physiological characteristics of two rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties under impact of salinity. Study Design: Experiment includes two rice varieties named as B-515 and KS-282, salinity level of 150 mM, thiourea of 0.25 mM alone and in combination were arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD). Place and Duration of Study: Old Botanical Garden, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan, between 4th July and 21st August 2015. Methodology: Transplants of two rice varieties, Basmati-515 and KS-282 were exposed to salinity (150 mM) and thiourea (0.25 mM) after one month of transplanting in a Completely Randomized Design with three replications. Harvesting data was taken that include fresh and dry weights, leaf area, number of tillers, photosynthetic pigments, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal and substomatal conductance, water use efficiency and intrinsic CO2 concentration as well as chlorophyll contents in two rice varieties. Results: Thiourea treatment enhanced photosynthetic efficiency of Basmati-515 more than KS-282 by improving the chlorophyll and carotenoid contents and gas exchange attributes more than control. Conclusion: Salinity profoundly affect the physiological performance of two rice varieties especially that of KS-282, while 0.25 mM thiourea application unable to mitigate the effect of salinity but thiourea alone proved to be beneficial for both the rice varieties