Effects of Humic Acid on Root Development and Nutrient Uptake of Vicia faba L. (Broad Bean) Seedlings Grown under Aluminum Toxicity

Interactions of humic acid with development and uptake by seedlings of Vicia faba L., (cv. Eresen 87) grown in conditions of aluminium toxicity have been investigated in pot experiments in a controlled greenhouse environment. The objective of the study was to investigate whether humic acid moderates aluminum toxicity. The seedlings were treated with solutions of aluminum chloride (AlCl3) prepared in Hoagland control nutrient solution (HO) and 50 and100 mu M and humic acid + Hoagland (HA) solutions, respectively. The 50 and100 mu M HA solutions increased root fresh (RFW) and dry (RDW) weights, where the RFW differed significantly from controls (HO) after statistical evaluation by NCSS (NCSS, Kaysville, Utah) with two-sample T-test range at the 5% level. The results of the current experiment suggested that humic acid had suppressed or counteracted the toxic effect of aluminum (Al3+) on both main and lateral root growth. Humic acid seems to block the effect of Al3+ on nutrient uptake, as tested by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) and flame photometery (FP). Al3+ content in the roots was significantly decreased by 219% in 50-mu M HA and by 49% in 100-mu M HA treatments respectively. Potassium (K+), sodium (Na+), and iron (Fe3+) were recorded as the other elements taken up in the greatest amounts among the tested nutrients, in addition to Al3+. Humic acid increased the contents of Na+, K+, manganese (Mn2+), and zinc (Zn2+) significantly in both concentrations of HA treatment compared to controls. The Fe3+ content in the roots decreased, in both treatments of HA, application by 252% and 32% respectively. The reduction in the former was significant

Determination of the Effect of Humic Acid on Growth and Development Parameters of Parsley (Petroselinum sativum Hoffm.) Grown in Boron Soil

Boron is an important micronutrient, required for all plant growth, and critical for high yield and quality of crops. The aim of the present research was to determine the effects of boron on pot-grown parsley (Petroselinum sativum Hoffm.). The experimental design consisted of four treatments using Hoagland-Arnon (1950) nutrient solutions with two different boron concentrations (B1 - 15 ppm and B2 - 150 ppm), each with and without 10 ml humic acid addition (HB1 and HB2), and controls with full strength Hoagland-Arnon solutions. Growth analyses of the parsley revealed that 15 ppm boron application caused an increase in root length leaf fresh and dry weight root fresh and dry weight and leaf area compared to control values. 150 ppm B (B2) concentration decreased all growth parameters compared to controls. The two humic acid treatments (HB1 and HB2) did not increase any of those growth parameters either in controls (C) or in the two boron (B1 and B2) concentrations. Analysis by (ICP-MS) revealed that B content in the leaves increased gradually in B1 and B2, as well as in both humic treatments where in HB2 it increased to 99.38% compared to B1. In the leaves, Mn, Zn and Fe contents behaved the same as B, increasing in all treatments, with the amounts in HB2 being significantly greater than in C, B1 and B2 leaves

Effects of some Stress Factors (Aluminum, Cadmium and Drought) on Stomata of Roman Nettle (Urtica pilulifera L.)

In this study, Roman nettle (Urtica pilulifera L.) seedlings grown singly in standard pots containing compost were exposed to two different levels of aluminum and cadmium (100 ?M and 200 ?M) and water stress (moderate and severe stress) treatments. Measurements of stomatal perimeters, diameters and areas from the epidermal sections in lower surfaces of young expanded leaves of main stem and first lateral branches were examined by image processing and analysis software. The data proved that all stomata were affected significantly, but with varying responses, in all treated plants compared to control plants. Excluding severe water stress (WS 2), the data from first lateral branch leaves showed slight sensitivity to all stress treatments. Nevertheless, there were no statistically significant differences between stomatal measurements from main stem and first lateral branch leaves. Particularly, reduction in stomatal diameters of both main stem and first lateral branches in severe water stressed plants, reducing by 26.45% and 48.09% respectively; suggest that this could be a response of U. pilulifera to drier environments

Long-Term Effects of Aluminum and Cadmium on Growth, Leaf Anatomy, and Photosynthetic Pigments of Cotton

Aluminum (Al) and cadmium (Cd) are two elements that contaminate soil in different ways as waste products of some industrial processes and that can be tolerated by some plant species in different concentrations. In this study, growth parameters of leaves and stems (fresh and dry weights, stem lengths, leaf surface area, and lamina thickness), anatomical changes in leaves (lower and upper epidermis, stomata and mesophyll tissue), and photosynthetic pigment contents (chlorophyll a and b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids) were investigated in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. Nazilli 84S), which was treated with Al and Cd for 3 months. Cotton seedlings were grown in greenhouse conditions and watered with Hoagland nutrient solutions, which contained 0, 100, and 200 M aluminum chloride (AlCl3) and cadmium chloride (CdCl2). It was observed that reduced soil pH positively affected many parameters in cotton plants. Aluminum accumulation was greater in leaves than stems while the opposite was true for Cd accumulation. Leaves and stems of cotton plants treated with 100 and 200 M Al and Cd showed slight growth changes; however, high concentrations of Al (200 M) caused significant reductions in leaf area and leaf fresh weight, whereas stem fresh weight decreased with 200 M Cd treatment. Anatomical parameters were mostly affected significantly under both concentrations of Al and Cd solutions (100 and 200 M). The results revealed that the anatomical changes in the leaves varied in both treatments, and the long-term effect of the tested metals did not include harmful effects on anatomical structures. Moreover, the variations could be signals of tolerance or adaptive mechanisms of the leaves under the determined concentrations

Role of Intraoperative Nerve Monitoring in Postoperative Muscle and Nerve Function of Patients Undergoing Modified Radical Mastectomy

This study aimed to postoperatively evaluate the effects of intraoperative neural monitoring (IONM) on muscles and nerves in patients who underwent modified radical mastectomy (MRM). In the 11 patients included in the study, nerves were determined and protected by nerve monitoring during the axillary dissection (IONM group). In another 11 patients, nerve monitoring was not performed; however, protection of the same nerves was attempted through careful nerve dissection (cautious nerve dissection [CND] group). The control group consisted of 22 healthy subjects. Muscle and nerve functions were blindly evaluated by an experienced physical therapy and rehabilitation specialist using electromyography (EMG) and ultrasonography (US) methods. The EMG values of the pectoralis major muscle were similar in the IONM and control groups (1.97 mV/1.98 mV, p = 0.97) but significantly lower in the CND group (1.57 mV, p < 0.05). Significant differences were found in the US values of the pectoralis major and minor muscles between the IONM and CND groups. No significant difference was found between the IONM and control groups in terms of EMG values of the serratus anterior muscle. This is the first prospective randomized study to objectively evaluate preservation of the nerve through nerve monitoring and its functional results. Monitoring of nerves during MRM is of great importance in terms of demonstrating the positive effects on muscle and nerve functions