Thesis (M.Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 359-374) Also available in print.

Orientador: Carlos Alexandre Costa Crusciol / Coorientador: Richard M. Johnson / Banca: Marcelo Rocha Correa / Banca: Marcelo de Almeida Silva / Banca: Eduardo Negrisoli / Banca: Gabriela Ferraz de Siqueira / Resumo: O Co é um elemento classificado como benéfico para as plantas cultivadas, podendo influenciar o potencial produtivo da cultura. Os principais estudos sobre a aplicação de cobalto em culturas agrícolas relatam a experiência em leguminosas e, nestes casos, descrevem a elevação da relação simbiótica com bactérias fixadoras de nitrogênio as interferências na biossíntese de etileno e nos índices de clorofila das plantas. O presente estudo objetivou compreender a ação do cobalto no desenvolvimento da cultura da cana-de-açúcar, em experimento implantado em março de 2015 na unidade de pesquisa pertencente ao USDA - United States Department of Agriculture, Houma - LA. Utilizando-se a variedade LCP 85-384. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram na aplicação de quatro doses de cobalto T1: Controle (sem aplicação de cobalto), T2: 70,42 mL ha-1, T3: Aplicação 140,87 mL ha-1, T4: 210,08 mL ha-1 e T5: 281,70 mL ha-1 . Os tratamentos foram aplicados aos 80 e 100 dias após o plantio e as avaliações realizadas aos 30 e 120 dias após a primeira aplicação. Foram avaliadas variáveis biométricas (altura, número de folhas, diâmetro de colmo), fisiológicas (condutância estomática, índice de SPAD), produtividade, número de colmos vaso-1, peso de colmos vaso-1, produtividade de colmos e acucar vaso-1 e variáveis tecnológicas (sacarose (%), pureza (%) e fibra. Nas condições em que foi realizado o presente est... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Cobalt is an element classified as beneficial to the crop plants and can influence the productive potential of the crop. The major studies on the application cobalt crops experience reported in legumes and in these cases, describing the increase in symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria and interference in the biosynthesis of ethylene in plant chlorophyll contents. This study aims to understand the action of cobalt (Co) in the vegetative development of sugarcane. The experiment was established in March 2015 in the research unit belonging to the USDA - United States Department of Agriculture, Houma - LA. The variety used was the LCP 85- 384. The treatments consisted of application of four cobalt doses Control (no cobalt), T2: 70,42 mL ha-1, T3: aplicação 140,87 mL ha-1, T4: 210,08 mL ha-1 e T5: 281,70 mL ha-1 .Treatments were applied at 80 and 100 days after planting and evaluations carried out at 30 and 120 days after the first application, biometric variables were evaluated (height, number of leaves, stem diameter) physiological (stomatal conductance, SPAD index), productivity, culm number pot-1, stem weight pot-1, weight stem (g) pot-1 and technological variables (sucrose (%) purity (%) and fiber (%).In the conditions under which the present study was carried out, it can be concluded that the lack of cobalt in the sugarcane crop limited the development of the plants and the production of stalks and sugar. The application of 140.9 ml doses of ha-1 cobalt p... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Orientadores: Marlene Aparecida Schiavinato, Sara Adrian Lopez de Andrade / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-15T21:26:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Souza_SarahCarolineRibeiro_M.pdf: 990180 bytes, checksum: a52442f68f3a27dfa82cded6425db23c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Resumo: A contaminação do solo por metais pesados (MPs), causada por processos naturais ou atividade humana, é um dos mais graves problemas ambientais devido à persistência e alto poder de toxicidade dos MPs. Em ambientes contaminados por MPs, as plantas podem apresentar uma série de distúrbios fisiológicos e nutricionais. No entanto, algumas espécies de plantas são tolerantes aos MPs e essa tolerância tem sido selecionada durante a evolução, e envolve diversos mecanismos. A associação com fungos micorrízicos arbusculares (FMAs) pode reduzir os efeitos negativos do estresse induzido por altas concentrações de metais sobre a planta hospedeira. Considerando a existência de plantas tolerantes, a fitorremediação, especialmente com espécies arbóreas, aparece como uma estratégia eficiente para a reabilitação de áreas contaminadas com MPs, uma vez que essas espécies imobilizam os metais absorvidos por mais tempo em seus tecidos. Assim, este estudo teve como objetivos: avaliar a tolerância, o acúmulo e a distribuição dos MPs, Pb e Zn, em três espécies de leguminosas nas diferentes partes das plantas; avaliar a influência destes metais na colonização micorrízica e na fixação biológica de nitrogênio e avaliar o potencial fitorremediador de cada espécie. Foram realizados dois experimentos, um com Pb e outro com Zn, com delineamento experimental totalmente casualizado e em esquema fatorial 3 x 4. Os tratamentos consistiram em três espécies de leguminosas arbóreas Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia (sansão-do-campo), Erythrina speciosa (eritrina-candelabro) e Schizolobium parahyba (guapuruvu) e quatro concentrações de metais, 0, 250, 500 e 1000 mg.dm-3 de Pb e 0, 200, 400 e 600 mg.dm-3 de Zn, adicionados ao solo na forma de acetato de chumbo e sulfato de zinco. Após aproximadamente 180 dias de cultivo as mudas foram coletadas. Determinaram-se altura, área foliar total, massa da matéria seca (MS) da parte aérea e raízes, número de nódulos e MS de nódulos das espécies que nodulam. Na espécie que não nodula, S. parahyba, foi feita a medição da raiz pivotante e o volume total de raízes. Foram feitas as determinações dos teores de Pb e Zn, dos nutrientes essenciais e calculado o índice de translocação (IT). Foram determinados o conteúdo de pigmentos fotossintéticos, a atividade da nitrogenase, aminoácidos livres, nitrato, amônia, peroxidação lipídica (MDA) e a taxa de colonização micorrízica. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância, análise de regressão e teste de Tukey. Verificou-se que altas concentrações de Zn adicionadas ao solo afetam mais significativamente o desenvolvimento de mudas de espécies arbóreas quando comparadas às concentrações de Pb utilizadas. Todas as espécies apresentam maiores concentrações de Zn e Pb nas raízes que agem como uma barreira à translocação dos MPs, considerado um mecanismo de fitoestabilização. O fato de serem espécies de leguminosas arbóreas de crescimento rápido, de fácil propagação, sistema radicular extenso e aliado ao fato de conseguirem absorver e concentrar os metais pesados Pb e Zn em suas raízes, sugere que estas espécies arbóreas analisadas podem ser potencias plantas fitorremediadoras de solos moderadamente contaminados, sendo que, para o Pb a espécie mais tolerante seria M. caesalpiniaefolia e para o Zn, a E. speciosa. / Abstract: Soil contamination by heavy metals (HM), caused by natural processes or human activity, is one of the most serious environmental problems due to their persistence and high toxicity potential. In HM contaminated environments, plants may present a series of physiological and nutritional disorders. However, some plant species are tolerant to HM and this tolerance has been selected during evolution. The mechanisms involved in plant tolerance to HM excess are diverse and varied. The association with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can reduce the negative effects of stress induced by high concentrations of metals to the host plant. Considering the existence of tolerant plants, phytoremediation appears as na efficient strategy for the rehabilitation of areas contaminated with HM, especially using tree species, since these species immobilize absorbed metals for greater time periods in their tissues. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the tolerance, accumulation and distribution of Pb and Zn in three species of leguminous trees, and further, to evaluate the influence of these metals in mycorrhizal colonization and nitrogen fixation and evaluate the phytoremediator potential of each of the studied species. For this purpose, two experiments were conducted, one with Pb and another with Zn, with a completely randomized experimental design in a factorial 3 x 4 scheme. The treatments consisted of three species of tree legumes Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia (sansão-do-campo), Erythrina speciosa (eritrinacandelabro) and Schizolobium parahyba (guapuruvu) and four concentrations of metal, 0, 250, 500 and 1000 mg.dm-3 Pb and 0, 200, 400 and 600 mg.dm-3 Zn added to soil in the form of lead acetate and zinc sulfate. Approximately 180 days after sowing, the seedlings were collected. We determined the height and total leaf area, the dry matter (DM) of shoots and roots, nodule number and nodule DM of nodulating species. In species that do not nodulate, S. parahyba, measurements were made of the tap root and root volume. Determinations were made of the levels of Pb and Zn as well as essential nutrients and the rate of translocation (IT) was calculated. The content of photosynthetic pigments was determined as well as photosynthesis, nitrogenase activity, amino acids, nitrate, ammonia and lipid peroxidation (MDA) and the rate of colonization was estimated. The data were subjected to analysis of variance, regression analysis and the Tukey test (5% significance). It was found that the higher concentrations of Zn added to soil affected the development of seedlings of the tree species studied more significantly than those of Pb. All species had higher Zn and Pb concentrations in their root, indicating this organ acts as a barrier for metal translocation to the shoots in these plants, considered a phytostabilization mechanism. The fact that these species are fast growing, easily propagated and have a extensive root system that can absorb and concentrate Pb and Zn, suggests that they have potential for use in phytoremediation of contaminated soils. / Mestrado / Biologia Vegetal / Mestre em Biologia Vegetal

published_or_final_version / Geography and Geology / Master / Master of Philosophy

by Lau Wai Man. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1981. / Bibliography: leaves 189-205.

University of Macau / Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences

Plants are able to take up and accumulate certain environmental contaminants such as heavy metals. When the plants are ingested by man, these contaminants are transferred along the food chain. Due to the poorly regulated medicinal plant trade in South Africa, many opportunities exist for heavy metal contamination of medicinal plants namely contaminated harvest sites as well as poor drying, processing, storage, transport and manufacturing conditions. The concentrations of five heavy metals (As, Cd, Co, Ni, Pb) and six microelements (B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Zn) were determined in some commonly used South African medicinal plants obtained from street markets. Elemental content was determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrophotometry (ICP-OES). Some of the medicinal plant samples investigated contained As and Cd at levels exceeding the World Health Organization limits of 1 and 0.3 mg kg-1 respectively. Lead and Ni were detected in all the samples. Elevated Fe and Mn levels were recorded in certain plant species. The results revealed multiple metal contamination in some medicinal plant parts sold in local markets and is thus grounds for concern. The effects of Cd application on growth parameters of some medicinal plant species belonging to the Hyacinthaceae (Albuca setosa, Eucomis autumnalis, Eucomis humilis, Merwilla plumbea) gave insight into heavy metal accumulation and distribution in these species. Application of Cd at 5 mg l-1 over a 12 week period reduced growth in A. setosa. The medicinally used A. setosa bulbs accumulated 37 mg kg-1 Cd after 12 weeks. Cadmium application at 2 mg l-1 over a six week period had no effect on growth parameters of E. autumnalis or E. humilis. However, a substantial difference in total Cd accumulation was detected in the plants (40.2 and 15.3 mg kg-1 respectively). Cadmium application at 2 mg l-1 significantly reduced the fresh weight of leaves, bulbs and roots of M. plumbea. Although most of the Cd was stored in the roots, the medicinally used bulbs accumulated up to 11.6 mg kg-1 when applied at 10 mg l-1. The antagonistic effect between Cd and Zn treatments and their effect on micronutrient distribution in M. plumbea were investigated. Five treatments were evaluated: (1) Hoagland’s nutrient solution (HS) (control) (2) HS + Cd 2 mg l-1 (single) (3) HS + Cd 2 mg l-1 + Zn 50 mg l-1 (combination) (4) HS + Cd 2 mg l-1 + Zn 100 mg l-1 (combination) (5) HS + Cd 2 mg l-1 + Zn 150 mg l-1 (combination). Cadmium readily accumulated in leaves, bulbs and roots of M. plumbea when supplied at 2 mg l-1. Zinc at 50 mg l-1 led to increased Cd accumulation. However, further increases in Zn concentration showed an antagonistic effect of Zn on Cd uptake and accumulation. Thus, increasing Zn levels in soils may be favourable for reducing toxic Cd accumulation in M. plumbea plants. Boron was not significantly affected by the addition of Cd to the media. However, with an increase in Zn, leaf B content increased while the B content in the bulbs and roots decreased. Copper and Mo levels were not significantly affected by treatments with Cd or Cd/Zn combinations. Compared to the control, Cd and Cd/Zn applications caused an increase in Mn content in leaves, bulbs and roots. Iron levels of M. plumbea were not significantly affected by Cd in the media. However, with an increase of Zn in the Cd-containing media, Fe content in the leaves, bulbs and roots increased. Tulbaghia violacea is one of the few medicinal plants that is also frequently used as a leafy vegetable. Application of Cd at 2 and 5 mg l-1 to T. violacea of varying sizes (small 8 - 10 g, medium 16 - 20 g, large 80 – 95 g) elicited a difference in growth response, Cd accumulation and micronutrient distribution. Leaf length and fresh weight of leaves of the medium-size plants decreased with application of Cd at 2 mg l-1 whilst 5 mg l-1 Cd significantly decreased the number of leaves in small-sized plants. Small plants accumulated more Cd in the leaves than medium- or large-sized plants. Application of Cd at 2 mg l-1 and 5 mg l-1 lowered the leaf Cu, Fe, Mo and Zn contents in small- and medium-size plants. This study indicated that T. violacea has the ability to accumulate Cd. In addition, plant size plays an important role with regards to Cd accumulation and elemental distribution. The effect of various nutrient applications (10%, 50% and 100% Hoagland’s nutrient solutions (HS); and HS deficient in N, P or K) on growth parameters and micronutrient distribution in Dioscorea dregeana were investigated. Irrigating plants with 50% HS resulted in better growth performance, whereas a deficiency of either N, P or K negatively affected seedling growth. Plants grown in 10% HS contained higher total B, Fe and Mo levels compared to seedlings grown in 50% and 100% HS. Compared to the control, P deficiency resulted in a Fe increase in the leaves, tuber and roots while a lack of P and K significantly increased total Mn content in D. dregeana. The effect of excess Zn (100, 200 and 300 mg l-1) on growth performance, chlorophyll content and microelemental distribution on Dioscorea sylvatica was investigated. Growth parameters showed a significant decrease when supplied with Zn at 100 mg l-1. Zinc phytotoxicity was evident by the reduction in chlorophyll content. Highest Zn concentrations were detected in the roots. Certain micronutrients appear to be redistributed due to Zn toxicity. The effect of microelements (Cu, Zn) and heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Hg) on germination and seedling development of Bowiea volubilis, Eucomis autumnalis and Merwilla plumbea was investigated. Copper and Zn applied at 1 mg l.1 significantly reduced the percentage germination of E. autumnalis. Low concentrations (. 1 mg l.1) of Cu and Zn negatively affected the root growth of all three species. Mercury concentrations of 0.5 and 1 mg l.1 significantly decreased the percentage germination of B. volubilis and E. autumnalis respectively. Cadmium and Hg at 2 mg l.1 showed a negative effect on the root growth of B. volubilis. Concentrations of 0.5 mg l.1 of all heavy metals tested significantly decreased shoot length of M. plumbea. The effect of Cd on biological activity (anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal) of medicinal plants with previously confirmed activity was evaluated. When supplied with Cd at 2 mg l-1, Eucomis humilis bulbous extracts showed lower anti-inflammatory activity than the control for both COX-1 and COX-2 activity. Eucomis autumnalis bulbous extracts had greater COX-1 activity compared to the control. However, Cd suppressed the activity of COX-2. Compared with non-Cd-treated Merwilla plumbea plants (control), those supplied with Cd at 10 mg l-1 showed increased antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. However, no change in activity against Escherichia coli was observed. Cadmium accumulation in the bulbs had no effect on antifungal activity of Tulbaghia violacea. Thus, optimized agricultural practices are essential for quality control of cultivated medicinal plants. The studies presented in this thesis collectively answer several questions related to heavy metal involvement in South African medicinal plants. The findings substantiate the need to regulate and monitor the South African medicinal plant trade against heavy metal contamination which will in turn provide a product of safety and quality to the consumer. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.